For Immediate Release
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today condemned the Egyptian government’s decision to freeze the bank account of the El-Nadeem Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence, a prominent group that treats and provides assistance to victims of torture. The following statement is attributable to PHR Executive Director Donna McKay:
“The Egyptian government – in its latest bid to silence one of the country’s most prominent anti-torture organizations – has dealt a crushing blow to human rights and human dignity in Egypt. Egypt’s government has chosen to pursue a path that will only lead to greater suffering and less accountability and transparency.
“The El-Nadeem Center is a critical resource for torture victims and their families, where those who have endured unspeakable brutality can seek care and redress. Attempting to shutter the organization is nothing more than an attempt to cover up Egypt’s dismal track record of ill-treatment, brutality, torture, and forced disappearances. We hold out hope that the El-Nadeem Center and its brave staff will be able to keep its doors open.
“Egyptian authorities must unfreeze the El-Nadeem Center’s assets; provide the center with the opportunity to challenge such an order in court; and stop their arbitrary crackdown against those who stand up for humanity and human rights. Torture is wrong, it’s harmful, and it’s depraved. And those who speak out against it should be celebrated, not punished.”
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here.