The Impact of Military Rule on Egyptians: Political Detainees as a Case Study

📚 Based on insights from “The Land of the Generals” by Bilal Fadl

Introduction

Since the military seized power in Egypt in July 2013, repression has become institutionalized. While all Egyptians have felt the weight of military authoritarianism, political detainees—especially activists, politicians, and independent thinkers—have suffered the most severe consequences. Arrested for their ideas, silenced through force, and buried in forgotten cells, they represent the ultimate cost of unchecked military dominance.

In his powerful book “The Land of the Generals”, journalist and writer Bilal Fadl outlines the historical roots and present realities of military rule in Egypt. He describes a country where freedom is treated as sedition, and political thought as treason—a place where military power rules not just through tanks, but through fear.

Political Dissent as a Crime

Under Egypt’s military-backed regime, dissent has been criminalized. Political opposition figures, journalists, and even everyday citizens have been arbitrarily arrested for social media posts, participation in protests, or expressing independent thought.

According to Bilal Fadl, the repression isn’t just about maintaining power—it’s part of a broader culture of militarized governance that sees civil society as a threat. Politicians from across the ideological spectrum—Islamists, leftists, liberals—have faced arrest, often without due process or fair trial.

Military courts, which lack judicial independence, are routinely used to issue swift and severe sentences. These courts have become a key mechanism for suppressing any political challenge.

One of the most devastating tools of military repression is the complete isolation imposed on political detainees. Unlike criminal prisoners, political detainees are often denied:

• Family visits
• Access to lawyers
• Reading materials or newspapers
• Basic contact with the outside world

As Bilal Fadl writes, Egypt’s prisons have become “laboratories of psychological destruction.” This isolation is designed to break the spirit of political detainees and send a clear message: resistance will be met not just with punishment, but with erasure.

These prisoners are not just being silenced—they are being disconnected from history and society, in an attempt to ensure that their ideas never see daylight again.

Torture, Neglect, and Death in Detention

International human rights organizations have consistently documented widespread torture and inhuman conditions in Egyptian prisons. Common abuses include:

• Electric shocks
• Beatings and sleep deprivation
• Denial of medical treatment
• Sexual violence
• Overcrowded, unsanitary cells

In many cases, medical neglect has led to the deaths of political detainees, including the late former President Mohamed Morsi, who died after years of medical mistreatment and solitary confinement.

These deaths are not accidents—they are part of what activists describe as a slow-motion execution policy, targeting political opponents through prolonged suffering.

Psychological and Social Impact

The trauma of political imprisonment extends beyond the prison walls. Families are often harassed, denied visitation rights, and forced into silence. Children grow up without their parents. Wives and husbands are left in limbo.

In the wider society, fear reigns. Citizens are terrified to speak out, fearing that any form of expression could result in imprisonment. The result is a lifeless political scene, where genuine debate, reform, and activism have all but vanished.

As Bilal Fadl notes, military rule not only jails people—it jails ideas. It conditions society to accept silence as safety and submission as patriotism.

The Role of International Silence

Despite clear evidence of mass detentions, torture, and human rights violations, the international response has largely been muted. Western governments and institutions often prioritize economic and strategic ties with the Egyptian military regime over the protection of human rights.

This silence emboldens the regime to continue its brutal tactics without fear of accountability. It also underscores the importance of independent media, advocacy groups, and platforms—like your website—that continue to document and amplify the truth.

Conclusion: No Freedom Under Military Rule

As long as the military controls the state, freedom in Egypt will remain a distant dream. The prisons will continue to fill, the voices will remain silenced, and the cycle of repression will persist.

But history shows that no regime can suppress the will of a people forever. The stories, sacrifices, and courage of political prisoners must not be forgotten—they are the seeds of future freedom.

Bilal Fadl’s “The Land of the Generals” does not simply describe a reality—it challenges us to resist it. Through documenting abuses, defending free expression, and standing with the persecuted, we move closer to a day when Egypt is ruled not by fear, but by justice and dignity.