Egypt has introduced its first asylum law, signed by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday (December 17), aimed at standardizing the country's approach to managing refugees and asylum seekers. The law has prompted warnings from human rights groups which say it takes a "security-focused approach" that could weaken refugee protections.

The legislation comes as Egypt faces an economic crisis and increasing numbers of refugees fleeing regional conflicts, including those in Sudan and Gaza. 

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What does the new law mean for migrants in Egypt? 

The new law establishes a permanent refugee committee under the prime minister's office to oversee asylum applications and services. It also transfers the responsibility for refugee registration from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to Egyptian authorities, replacing a system governed by a 1954 agreement. 

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Egypt is now home to over nine million migrants, including refugees, regardless of their legal status. The UNHCR reports that as of November, more than 845,000 refugees and asylum seekers were officially registered in Egypt, with hundreds of Sudanese arriving daily.

Parliamentarians have defended the law as necessary to address the growing refugee population, but controversial provisions in the law include a requirement for refugees who enter Egypt irregularly to apply for asylum within 45 days and imposes criminal penalties for housing refugees without notifying authorities.

A clause granting the government broad powers to take "necessary measures" against refugees during national security crises, counter-terrorism operations, or wartime has also drawn criticism.

Rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) warn that the law's vague language and security-focused approach could result in the arbitrary denial of asylum claims and the criminalization of irregular migration.

"It would fail to protect asylum seekers' rights, allow authorities to use emergency powers to detract from rights, orce refugees to comply with vaguely worded rules, and criminalise irregular entry," HRW said.

In June, Amnesty International reported that 800 Sudanese detainees were forcibly returned withoutbeing allowed to seek asylum.

Law passed with 'great secrecy'

Opponents argue the law was rushed without consultation with civil society organizations or the UNHCR.

"The law was passed through with a great deal of urgency and secrecy," Karim Ennarah, director of the research unit at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), told French news agency AFP.

AFP reported that UNHCR declined its request for comment.

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Egypt calls on international community for migrant support

Unrest in Sudan intensified in April 2023, pushing people to flee to Egypt. More than 1.2 million Sudanese refugees have arrived, joining existing populations of over 150,000 Syrians and 100,000 Palestinians. However, refugees in Egypt receive limited assistance from both the government and international organizations.

In response to the growing challenges, Egyptian officials have called for increased international support. In October, the European Union allocated 12.2 million euros to help Egypt provide health and education services to refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.

Human rights groups have urged the government to ensure the law aligns with international standards and protects the rights of asylum seekers and refugees.

With AFP