Egypt and Vietnam: 'Holiday paradises' practising torture
Published: Jun 25, 2024 Reading time: 4 minutes
Torturous treatment of detainees is strictly prohibited by international law. Nevertheless, in many countries of the world, torture is routine, and in some, it has even become a systematic tool to suppress the opposition and civil society. Such countries include Egypt and Vietnam. Although both countries are signatories to the International Convention against Torture¹, detainees are often subjected to such treatment.
Egypt
Egypt is one of the least free countries in the world. Freedom House's Global Freedom Index gives it just 18 out of 100 points. One of the main reasons for their rating is the systematic abuse of power to combat non-official views.
Ill-treatment of detainees occurs despite constant warnings from local and international human rights organisations. Methodically applied methods of torture used by security forces during investigations or detentions include a range of abuses, such as beatings, electric shocks, sexual violence, denial of access to medical treatment, prevention of contact with family and friends, psychological abuse, as well as several other acts that cause severe pain and suffering.
President Abdul Fattah el-Sisi promised to improve the quality of prison conditions in 2021 as part of their Strategy for Human Rights. During his 10-year rule in Egypt, 28 new prisons were built, including the vast Badr prison complex on the northeastern outskirts of Cairo. Badr 3 has become a prison for political prisoners, and allegations of human rights violations persist. The complex is an absolute hell from where political prisoners smuggle out reports of inhumane treatment.
The death penalty in Egypt
Among the most serious offences levelled against the state is the abuse of the death penalty. For a long time, Egypt has ranked among the countries with the highest number of executions carried out worldwide. Egypt has established two methods of execution, hanging or death by firing squad, neither of which occurs publicly.
The number of people sentenced to death is increasing. Death sentences rose from 356 in 2021 to 538 individuals in 2022. Egyptian law allows for the death penalty for 104 crimes enshrined in 78 laws. Human rights observers draw attention to political processes resulting in the death sentence, for example, for offences related to security and broadly defined terrorism, which are associated with the criminalisation of the exercise of human rights and freedom.
In connection with these trials, in addition to ill-treatment, attention has long been drawn to violations of the right to a fair trial, forced confessions, accelerated proceedings or the conduct of the trial in the absence of the convicted person or his legal representative.
Vietnam
Many people in the Czech Republic may be surprised to learn that Vietnam ranks among the least free countries in the world (19 out of 100 points according to the Global Freedom Index). The Communist Party of Vietnam controls all branches of power, and political and civil rights are constantly suppressed. In addition, since the new political leadership took office in 2016, the situation has worsened yearly.
Allegations of ill-treatment in Vietnamese prisons are also increasing. In addition to inadequate food and medical care, authorities routinely subject political prisoners to torture and other inhumane treatment, particularly in pretrial detention.
Exact numbers are not available, but according to estimates, more than 200 people are currently in prison for activities related to social and human rights. In addition to journalists, activists, and NGO workers, ordinary citizens can be charged for simply expressing their opinions on social networks or practising their religion. Since 2019, at least six prisoners of conscience have died in custody because authorities refused their requests for hospitalisation.
Death penalty
As in Egypt, death sentences are among the most serious examples of ill-treatment in Vietnam. According to estimates, the country recorded at least 119 new convictions in 2021. The total number of persons sentenced to death reached 1,200. ² Official data and information are subject to state secrecy, and only a few cases are made public, among them, for example, the execution of Lê Văn Mạnh, which aroused strong public opposition in 2023, not least because the accused was forced to confess under torture.³
SOS Freedom
For almost 30 years, People in Need has been helping people who put their lives at stake. We transport Belarusian journalists to safety. We help persecuted bloggers in Vietnam. We advocate for the release of imprisoned activists in Cuba. Human rights defenders around the world strive for better and fairer societies, but they often have to fight for their own lives as well.
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1) Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment: https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-against-torture-and-other-cruel-inhuman-or-degrading.
2) CIVICUS, VIETNAM: ‘Failure to address torture of political prisoners should trigger a review of trade deals’
3) People in Need: Arbitrary execution of Lê Văn Mạnh
