Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Egypt about the 2,285 persons detained since 29 September, mostly without trial, who are being held in prisons, police stations and state security camps, often with insufficient food, water and sanitation, or access for their families.

The UK regularly raises human rights with the Egyptian authorities, including concerns about extended pre-trial detention and prison conditions. We continue to urge the authorities to ensure that all detainees are treated in accordance with relevant international human rights standards. We have raised specific concerns about the recent arrests at a senior level in London and Cairo, most recently on 17 October. We will also use the opportunity of Egypt’s Universal Periodic Review on 13 November to press the Egyptian Government to take action to address prison conditions and guarantee rights to freedom of expression.