Egypt: A culture of torture

For years, torture has been described as an endemic problem in Egypt. Indeed international human rights groups say that the Egyptian government’s record on this issue is a huge part of what is motivating Egyptians to continue to participate in the demonstrations that have been sweeping the country for more than two weeks.

And with allegations that the Egyptian army has been involved in the detention and torture of anti-government campaigners, we ask if the army is losing its reputation for neutrality and just how deep the culture of torture runs within the state’s security apparatus.

Joining Inside Story to discuss this are: Gamal Mazloum, a retired Egyptian army general; Hugh Roberts, an analyst on North African affairs; Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, the deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa region at Amnesty International; and Ahmed Salah, an Egyptian activist.

This episode of Inside Story aired on Thursday, February 10, 2011.