Former UK Ambassador Urges Government to Advise Against Travel to Egypt Amid Human Rights Concerns

In a significant development in the UK, the British ambassador to Egypt, John Casson, has called on the UK government to update its travel advisory. This update to the travel advisory cautions citizens against traveling to Egypt. This appeal arises from the ongoing detention of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fatta and broader concerns about human rights violations in Egypt.

Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who is a prominent pro-democracy activist and writer, has been imprisoned in Egypt since 201. In the year 2021, he was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of spreading false news. A conviction widely criticized by international human rights organizations.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) has declared his detention arbitrary and illegal. His detention cites violations of expression and due process. Despite his dual British-Egyptian citizenship, Egyptian authorities have consistently denied UK officials consular access to him.

John Casson, who served as the UK’s ambassador to Egypt from 2014 to 2018, has been vocal about the deteriorating human rights situation in Egypt. A letter published in The Times was co-signed by other notable figures, including Baroness Kennedy and Lord Hain. Casson urged the UK government to “deploy the full range of tools it has to protect British citizens.”

Casson described Egypt as a “police state” that is “violent and vindictive,” particularly towards individuals who express dissenting views. He criticized the Egyptian government’s treatment of Abd el-Fattah, stating that it reflects a broader pattern of repression and disregard for human rights. Casson also highlighted the challenges faced by the British embassy in Egypt, noting that it has been obstructed from performing fundamental consular functions, such as visiting and supporting British nationals in distress.

The call for updates on travel advice has significant implications for British citizens considering travel to Egypt. In 2024, Egypt welcomed over 15 million tourists, including more than 500,00 from the UK. However, the current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice. This was last updated on May 20, 2025 advises against all travel tto parts of Egypt, including North Sinai and areas within 20 km of the Egypt-Libya border but does not extend this caution to the entire country.

Casson and other signatories argue that the travel advisory should be expanded to reflect the broader risks posed by Egypt’s political climate, particularly the potential for arbitrary detention and the lack of consular support. They draw parallels to travel advisories issued for other countries with concerning human rights records, such as Iran and Hong Kong.

The UK government has been actively involved in diplomatic attempts to resolve Abd el-Fattah’s detention. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with other top officials, has brought up the subject with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, requesting consular access and the release of Abd el-Fattah. The Egyptian authorities have not budged despite these attempts, citing non-recognition of dual nationality as a basis for refusing to accept consular visits.

The wife’s husband, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, held in Iran for six years, Richard Ratcliffe, has also lent his voice to the demand to revisit the travel advisory. From personal experience, Ratcliffe stressed the need for strong government measures against arbitrary detention and the protection of British citizens abroad.

The plea signed by former ambassador John Casson and other VIPs highlights increasing fears for human rights abuses in Egypt and the security of British citizens visiting the country. While the UK government continues diplomatic action to free Alaa Abd el-Fattah, pressure mounts to reconsider and possibly revise official travel advice to take account of the threat posed by Egypt’s political climate.

Tourists should be aware of the most recent developments and refer to the FCDO’s travel advice when planning to go to Egypt. Keep Readinng Quest Euro for more news reports.

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