Stop Organ Trafficking of Refugees in Egypt

Human Rights, Petitions — By Christopher Baranowski on November 28, 2011 12:36 pm

Target: Egyptian Government

Goal: Investigate and stop abuse and organ trafficking of migrants and asylum-seekers in Egypt.

As the state of Egypt continues to work through the tumultuous issues surrounding establishing a new government, an egregious affront to human rights is occurring in the Southern part of the state.  Refugees and asylum-seekers from war-torn countries like Eritrea are becoming the victims of torture and organ trafficking on their way to safe haven in Israel.  Tell the military government to take a stand for human rights and investigate and stop what is going on in Southern Egypt.

Hundreds of migrants, many seeking asylum from violent conflict in countries like Eritrea and Sudan, cross into Egypt to gain access to Israel, where they can be safer.  On the border of Sudan and Egypt, there is evidence that migrants are being disemboweled, presumably so that their organs can be sold on the black market.  27 families have claimed that Egyptian-Bedouin groups have threatened to steal their organs if they did not pay money.

Additionally, there have been claims of inhumane treatment of migrants and refugees by both the Egyptian military police and Bedouin traffickers.  Migrants claim that military police keep them imprisoned and beat them until they sign “voluntary repatriation requests.”  Many are then sent back to their home countries where they are tortured further and often killed.  In camps run by human traffickers, the conditions are even worse.  An overwhelming majority of asylum-seekers who reach Israel reported experiencing severe hunger on the journey.  Rape, torture and forced labor also occur in these Egyptian camps.

Though it is certainly a hectic time for Egyptian politics, the military must stop these despicable crimes against humanity immediately.  Tell the transition government in Egypt to make investigating these allegations of abuse a top priority.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mohamed Hussein Tantawi,

As Egypt continues its arduous but exciting journey towards new government and democracy, it is important that human rights are respected and that the transitory military government stay committed to swift action and justice.  There are reports that in South Egypt, refugees, asylum-seekers and other migrants are being targeted by the Egyptian military and renegade human trafficking groups.  These people are being tortured, starved, raped and even disemboweled after death so their organs can be sold on the black market.  Many are being sent back to the countries they fled from where they are certain to suffer and often are killed.

We ask that you investigate these allegations, find out who exactly the perpetrators are and hold those people accountable.  Egypt must begin this new phase in its political history with a respect for human rights.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Will Go Here]