The Egyptian Revolutionary Council expresses its unequivocal support for the escalated measures taken by important figures in the Egyptian Revolution who are detained in Al-Akrab Prison.

The escalation starts tomorrow, the 20th of February, 2016 and is part of a campaign titled, ‘I am a human being: human dignity – physical safety’. The escalation measures are taken in order to force prison authorities to halt violations committed against political prisoners detained in prison ward H2 and against their families; violations that gradually lead to the death of those detained like the case of Dr Fareed Ismail, an elected MP who died due to medical negligence last year.

Detainees will start with a hunger strike to express their refusal to prison authorities’ prevention of foods and medication, intentional lack of medical care and are prevented from exposure to sun. These violations have led to the spread of infections and illnesses among political prisoners and these include, among others, nervous system breakdown, eyesight deterioration, osteoporosis, significant weight loss and general body weakness.

Among those taking part in the campaign are elected members of parliament, university professors, doctors and religious scholars. Some names include: Khairat Elshatir, Mohamed El-Beltagy, Mohamed Wahdan, Safwat Hijazy, Mohamed Ali Bishr, Essam Soltan, Osama Yasin, Essam El-Haddad, Ahmed Aref, Gehad El-Haddad, Abdurrahman El-Birr, Ahmed Abdelaty and Essam El-Aryan. Essam El-Haddad and Gehad El-Haddad had already entered a hunger strike two days ago.

The Egyptian Revolutionary Council will do its utmost in order to uncover the coup authorities’ crimes committed against political prisoners that violate international laws and standards.