Jun 27, 2019

Egypt has come under mounting international criticism over its human rights record, in light of hundreds of cases of deaths and torture in detention facilities, restrictions on freedom of expression and use of the death penalty. These days, the Muslim Brotherhood, banned by the government following the toppling of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013, is hoping to bring additional pressure to bear in continuing to seek accountability for the hundreds of protesters killed that year. Morsi's recent death has again put the spotlight on Egypt's treatment of prisoners in its care.

Following Morsi's death during a court appearance on June 17, Egyptian human rights organizations announced that Morsi's family and the Muslim Brotherhood, which he had led, hold the Egyptian government responsible for his death, accusing it of deliberately neglecting his health while detaining him under deplorable conditions. Meanwhile, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances of Morsi's death and to examine aspects of his treatment during his detention for nearly six years.

In May 2014, almost a year after Morsi was ousted, the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected a request by lawyers on behalf of the Muslim Brotherhood to investigate what the group claimed were “crimes against humanity” committed by the Egyptian government in relation to the violent dispersal of the Rabia al-Adawiya sit-in in August 2013 during which 632 people were killed. Authorities killed another 230 protesters at al-Nahda Square. The Brotherhood has further accused the government of extrajudicial mass killings, charging that it purposely killed some of its leaders, including Nasser al-Hafi, who died during an apartment raid on the outskirts of Cairo in 2015.

The ICC rejected the Brotherhood's petition because such requests must originate from a state that is party to the Rome Statute. Despite this setback, the Brotherhood continues to seek ways to prosecute the military leaders in charge at the time of Morsi’s ousting and the Rabia al-Adawiya massacre. A law granting Egyptian army leaders immunity from prosecution in Egypt and diplomatic status and thus immunity abroad is hindering its effort. In July 2018, Sisi approved the Law Concerning the Treatment of Some Senior Officers of the Armed Forces, which provides legal immunity as well as financial and other privileges for military leaders active from June 2013 to December 2014.

On the Muslim Brotherhood's response to Sisi's move to shield high-ranking officers, Al-Monitor spoke via internet with Brotherhood leader Murad Ghorab, who fled to Turkey in late 2013 following the crackdown on the organization.