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- others abducted, held captive, tortured, raped, or killed by human traffickers, "while authorities have done little to protect them."
Egypt is party to the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol, and the 1969 Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. They require signatories protect refugees and prevent repatriation to countries of origin or third ones where serious human rights abuses may occur.
In addition, according to a 1954 Memorandum of Understanding between Egypt and UNHCR, authorities must grant asylum-seekers access to the agency and respect its determination of refugee status. Egypt systematically violates its obligations under international law. It also delays or limits UNHCR access.
AI received "numerous reports of hostages being shot dead by their captors to demonstrate to family members of other hostages the seriousness of their threats."
This issue follows others about subjecting sub-Saharan African refugees to forced organ harvesting. Most often, victims don't survive.
Egypt is also party to international conventions relating to human trafficking. They include the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees; the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrants Workers and Members of Their Families; and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
It supplements the 2004 UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Egypt's statute laws also prohibit human trafficking and abuses relating to it. Its junta government ignores its legal obligations.
Current Status of Sinai Hostages
As of mid-November, one group of 165 Eritrean refugees are held hostage. Three contacted the Hotline for Migrant Workers, saying eight smugglers hold them, 13 women and 15 unaccompanied minors (aged 14 - 16) captive.
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