New Valley Prison: Egypt’s “Living Tomb” for Political Prisoners and Human Rights Abuses
The Harsh Reality of the New Valley Prison: A Symbol of Systematic Torture and Human Rights Violations under Sisi's Regime.
Watan-New Valley Prison is known as one of the most isolated and brutal prisons in Egypt, located deep in the Western Desert, far from any human rights oversight or media coverage. This prison, often referred to as the “living tomb,” has become a symbol of human rights abuses during the rule of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Hundreds of political prisoners are held here in conditions that starkly violate international standards.
Leaked messages from inside the prison reveal a systematic pattern of physical and psychological torture, beginning with what is known as “the reception,” an initiation of excessive violence against the detainee. This is followed by denial of visits and medical treatment, and even being buried alive in a dark, isolated cell.
Survivor testimonies describe the prison as not just a detention facility, but a place meant to humiliate and break the spirit of its prisoners. The prison warden, Suleiman Haidar, and the head of investigations, Hossam El-Dessouki, are accused by human rights organizations of overseeing systematic torture with the support of the National Security Agency, all without judicial oversight or legal accountability.
New Valley Prison: A Symbol of Systematic Oppression and Unchecked Human Rights Violations in Egypt
Reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented testimonies about suicides, deaths due to medical neglect, and the absence of accountability. Lawyers are barred from communicating with their clients, and information is withheld from the families of victims.
In this prison, it is not criminals who are held, but students, journalists, and opposition figures, simply because they expressed their opinions. Each summer, the tragedy intensifies due to the desert heat and the lack of medical care, making the prison an unsuitable place for human life.
New Valley Prison is not an isolated case, but a model of the systematic policy used to deal with opposition in Egypt. Will the international community act, or will the victims be left to their fate in silence?
