Egypt – Action Group

The Action Group for Palestinians of Syria documented the difficult humanitarian and legal conditions experienced by Syrian Palestinians residing in Egypt, amid what private sources described as a circle of anxiety and fear resulting from arrests and high financial fines, in addition to the absence of a clear protection umbrella for this group.

*Arrests and Persecution:*

A Syrian Palestinian , who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons, told the Action Group that he was arrested while working in a shop after a police raid. During the raid, police demanded to see IDs, residency permits, and work permits before detaining everyone present. He added that his interrogation included questions about his previous jobs, which, according to him, led to the persecution of some of his former employers. He explained that he was later released, but now faces pressure and financial extortion to avoid further arrest.
He also noted that deportation detention centers house women, children, and the elderly living in harsh conditions, adding that contacting families may require paying for phone calls.

*High financial penalties*

The Action Group has observed the imposition of hefty fines on Syrian Palestinians for failing to renew their residency permits. Private sources indicate that these fines can reach up to 120,000 Egyptian pounds in some cases.

One woman told the Action Group that she was forced to pay this amount for herself and her two children due to residency fines, while another individual reported paying between $320 and $350 for himself and his son for overstaying their permits for a year and a half.

According to information obtained by the group, the fine system has been modified, starting with approximately 1,600 Egyptian pounds for the first three months of the violation, then 500 pounds for each subsequent three months, in addition to an annual fine of 5,000 pounds for each year of delay. This leads to a significant accumulation of fines over time.

Repercussions on living conditions and education

These financial burdens have directly impacted the lives of many Syrian-Palestinians families in Egypt, with many now unable to cover basic living expenses or pay rent.
Repeated deportations and relocations have also forced some children to drop out of school, while others have been compelled to sell their belongings to cover travel costs or settle accumulated fines.

*Lack of institutional support*

The action group noted that the humanitarian situation of Syrian Palestinians in Egypt is worsening due to limited institutional support, with families saying that the relief and health services available to them are limited, while those affected are demanding greater follow-up on their situation by the concerned authorities.

*Calls for intervention:*

In concluding its documentation, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria called upon international and humanitarian organizations to monitor the situation of Syrian Palestinians in Egypt and to work towards providing legal and humanitarian solutions that guarantee their protection and alleviate their daily suffering.