05.09.2012. [Egypt] (New York) – Egypt
should use its increased security force presence in the Sinai Peninsula
to free hundreds of migrants held for ransom and abused by human
traffickers and other criminals. Security forces should detain,
investigate, and prosecute the traffickers.
Human Rights Watch has documented the trafficking of the mostly
sub-Saharan migrants and asylum seekers in Sinai, who are tortured and
sexually assaulted to press their relatives for ransom. Under Mubarak,
law enforcement officials did not intervene to protect the victims,
although Egypt has a strong anti-trafficking law. President Muhammad
Morsy ordered security forces to “impose full control” over Sinai
following the August 5, 2012, attack on a security post on the border
with Israel that left 16 Egyptian soldiers dead.
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