The Egyptian Commission demands the end of pretrial detention, respect for the law, and the immediate release of the November 11 detainees.

The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hundreds of individuals arrested in connection with the events of November 11, 2022, a call that was publicly known at the time as the “Climate Revolution.” Despite more than 27 months having passed since these events, these individuals remain trapped in the cycle of pretrial detention, in flagrant violation of their basic rights, including the right to freedom and a fair trial. Their continued detention, even after surpassing the legal limits for pretrial detention under Article 143 of the Egyptian Criminal Procedure Code, constitutes a clear violation of national law before it is a violation of international human rights standards. In October 2022, Egyptian security forces arbitrarily detained at least 1,500 people, including 36 women and at least 20 children, across at least 20 governorates, in connection with calls for protests known in the media as the “Climate Revolution,” which coincided with Egypt hosting the COP27 climate conference in Sharm El-Sheikh in November 2022. Many of the detainees posted calls for protests on their social media accounts, protesting the deteriorating economic and social conditions, but no protests ultimately erupted. However, the arrest campaigns continued, with citizens being randomly arrested from the streets and several others detained from their homes. They were charged with vague accusations, including joining a terrorist group, spreading false news, and inciting protests, without any tangible evidence linking them to such activities. Despite this prolonged period, at least 872 people, including women and children, remain in pretrial detention, surpassing the time limits set by Egyptian law. The Egyptian Commission documented the release of only 609 people over the past two years, while the suffering of the remaining detainees continues, living in harsh and inhuman detention conditions. Additionally, dozens continue to suffer from critical health conditions inside detention facilities, where they face medical neglect and lack of necessary healthcare. Among them are detainees suffering from chronic illnesses and others with physical disabilities, making their continued detention under these conditions a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian standards. Exceeding the maximum period of pretrial detention is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern of violations against detainees in Egypt, where many held on political charges and other opinion-related issues remain in arbitrary detention despite surpassing the legal limits for pretrial detention. This occurs at a time when the Egyptian government defends its human rights record before the United Nations during the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, reflecting a contradiction between official discourse and on-the-ground practices. The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees related to these events. It demands respect for laws and international standards that limit pretrial detention periods, and the cessation of its use as a tool for political punishment. The commission also calls for urgent and continuous healthcare for all detainees until their release. Furthermore, Egyptian authorities should ensure that individuals can exercise their right to protest and express their opinions peacefully without fear of arbitrary detention or retaliation.