Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed deep concerns over the Egyptian government’s denial of basic identity documents to dissidents residing abroad. On March 13, 2023, HRW released a statement condemning this practice, which deprives these individuals of basic services, travel rights and the ability to participate in various elections. HRW cites numerous cases of dissidents, journalists and human rights activists who have been denied access to birth certificates or renewals of national cards and passports. The refusal of identification documents is seen by HRW as a method to pressure dissidents to return to Egypt and face prosecution, despite being in violation of Egypt’s international obligations to its citizens. Adam Coogle, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Human Rights Watch said, “The inability to obtain birth certificates or renew basic documents such as passports and identity cards has impeded the realization of basic rights for dissidents abroad and their dependent family members. This has effectively undermined their ability to travel, live, and work lawfully, and often threatened their ability to receive basic medical care and services.” He continued, “President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government is clamping down on dissidents abroad by depriving them of basic identification documents. By taking away these fundamental rights and not providing an alternative, the government is escalating its crackdown and attempts to punish and silence those abroad.”
From June to December 2022, Human Rights Watch interviewed 26 Egyptian dissidents, journalists, and lawyers who had fled to Turkey, Germany, Malaysia, an African country, Qatar, and a Gulf state. The organization reviewed documents such as passports, official forms, written correspondence, and application forms related to the cases of nine of those interviewed. Seventeen had some form of temporary or permanent residency permit, three had filed asylum applications, sixteen were living with their families abroad, and ten had family members denied documents. The researchers found that since approximately 2018, the Egyptian consulate in Istanbul has effectively closed its doors to Egyptians wishing to apply for official documentation. Those interviewed by Human Rights Watch said that all requests for documents must be made through their Facebook page, but applicants are then required to fill out informal forms that are outside the scope of the law. These forms require personal information, such as why they left Egypt and the links of their social media accounts.
Egypt’s security services have been preventing thousands of Egyptians in Turkey from filing routine applications for documents like passports and identity cards, according to Human Rights Watch. The Sisi government’s policy of zero-tolerance for dissent has led to one of the largest waves of politically motivated emigration in Egypt’s modern history, with 9 to 14 million people living abroad. Exiles have stated that it is virtually impossible to legally question the refusal of official documents when embassies and consulates reject requests for legal representation in Egypt. Some applicants have reportedly been asked to return to Egypt to resolve their issues with the security services. Others have not received any response, or have been informed that their applications have been pending for months or years without explanation or formal denials.
A majority of people declared they had no criminal proceedings against them in Egypt. However, six people mentioned that Egyptian authorities had unlawfully labeled them “terrorists” due to a deceitful and inaccurate law in Egypt that stops those involved from obtaining or renewing passports. Those deemed as “terrorists” explained that not only have their passport renewal requests been denied, but the authorities also refused to give them any other documents like birth certificates, personal cards, or power of attorney. Such indifferent actions are inconsistent with the flawed anti-terrorism laws of Egypt, according to (HRW).
