Human Rights organisations have condemned the Egyptian government's decision to force the closure of a clinic for victims of torture. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International are among the groups concerned by the move which would see the El Nadeem centre shut down.
"It's unconscionable for Egyptian authorities to shut down a clinic for torture victims, especially when Interior Ministry agents are committing rampant abuse of people in custody," said Sarah Whitson, Middle East director of HRW. "The Egyptian government should immediately revoke its closure of the Nadeem Center."
The government of General Sisi has been popular with Christians and other minorities since he took control in a military coup in 2013. However, there have been accusations of torture by the regime. Last month an Italian student, Giulio Regeni, went missing in Cairo. His body was found a week later with injuries which suggested he may have been tortured.
The centre has been open since 1993. As well as assisting people who have been victims of torture, it also serves women who have been victims of domestic violence. The centre also advocates for human rights.
The "administrative closure order" that the centre received indicates it will need to shut this weekend. However, staff told the BBC that they intend to remain open and the organisation's director said, "Unless they arrest us all, we will continue to work."
