Will the international community take action to help civilians fleeing the Sudan conflict and being turned away in Egypt? Title: International Response Needed: Assisting Vulnerable Civilians Fleeing Sudan Conflict Denied Refuge in Egypt

Egypt‘s Visa Restrictions Leave Asylum Seekers in Peril

July 13, 2023

As the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, thousands of civilians, including women, children, and older people, are now facing increased vulnerability due to Egypt‘s new entry visa restrictions. Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about the impact of these restrictions, stating that they violate international standards and create unreasonable and life-threatening delays for asylum seekers.

The Impact of Egypt‘s Visa Rule

Egypt implemented a prior rule that required Sudanese males aged 16 to 49 to obtain a visa. However, the recent expansion of this rule to include all Sudanese, and the lack of efficient processing of visas, has led to dire consequences for those fleeing the conflict in Sudan. Thousands of displaced people have been stranded near the Egyptian border, facing challenges in securing food, accommodation, and healthcare.

The Egyptian government has justified these restrictions as a measure to combat visa forgery. However, Human Rights Watch argues that the need to address forgery should not come at the expense of denying or delaying entry to individuals seeking safety. Amr Magdi, the senior Middle East and North Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, emphasizes the importance of treating Sudanese nationals as refugees and calls on the Egyptian government to rescind the entry visa rule during the current crisis.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

Since the conflict erupted in April, over 2.7 million Sudanese have been displaced, both within Sudan and to surrounding countries. Egypt has received over 250,000 Sudanese, with an estimated two to five million Sudanese already residing in Egypt prior to the conflict. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has registered 77,000 Sudanese as refugees or asylum seekers as of June.

However, the new visa restrictions in Egypt, coupled with previous rules, have severely limited access to protection for Sudanese men, women, and children. The situation is particularly dire for those who have lost their passports or are unable to renew them due to the war. The restrictions have effectively left thousands of displaced Sudanese without the ability to seek international protection.

The Violation of International Laws and Conventions

The entry restrictions imposed by Egypt violate the right to seek asylum, as recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, forcing Sudanese individuals back to their home country would likely violate the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to a country where they face persecution or harm.

Under the African refugee convention, individuals forced to seek refuge outside their home country due to serious disturbances of public order are considered refugees. Therefore, the actions of the Egyptian government in denying entry and delaying the processing of visas go against their obligations under international conventions and agreements.

The Role of International Donors

The European Union and the United States, among other donors, provide financial support to assist refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt. However, there has been concern that this support may inadvertently contribute to the restriction of entry from Sudan or the return of Sudanese individuals with irregular legal status.

It is crucial for these donors to ensure that Egypt respects the rights of individuals seeking asylum and receives adequate support to meet their basic needs. As the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, the international community must be vigilant in addressing the plight of those fleeing the violence and ensure that their rights and safety are protected.

The Way Forward

Given the dire humanitarian situation and the violation of international laws and conventions, it is imperative that the Egyptian government revokes the entry visa rule for Sudanese nationals during the current crisis. Swift entry and access to asylum procedures should be facilitated for those seeking refuge.

International donors should also exercise due diligence in their support to Egypt, ensuring that funding for border control is not contributing to the restriction of entry or the return of individuals at risk. Instead, the focus should be on providing assistance to meet the basic needs of refugees and asylum seekers.

The international community has a responsibility to protect and support those fleeing violence and persecution. The situation in Sudan requires urgent attention and action to prevent further harm to vulnerable individuals and ensure their access to safety and protection.

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