Sisi's presence in Number 10 is an insult to all the Egyptians suffering under his regime

David Cameron shakes hands with Sisi during a news conference at 10 Downing Street (Getty Images)

The British government’s cosying up to Saudi Arabia, to China, and to Kazakhstan in recent weeks has cemented the impression that the UK is more concerned with British interests than human rights. The invitation extended to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt proves it beyond doubt.

To understand the gravity of such a welcome, one has to realize that Sisi's Egypt is the most heavy-handed police state the country has witnessed in its recent history. As Sisi is welcomed in Downing Street, hundreds of families in Egypt search for their loved ones, “disappeared” by the regime. There have been 378 documented cases of forced disappearances between the months of April and September alone. The actual number is probably higher still, with some individuals later appearing in police stations and detention facilities. Some of those who turn up face trumped-up charges of terrorism.

In one case a young man, Nabil El Boustany, was taken inside an army camp accompanied by his brother Tarek, and the next day, upon Tarek's return to ask for Nabil's release, his presence in army custody was completely denied. Such is the extent of Egypt's militarization - even in blatant violations of both domestic law and international treaties, there are no means to hold the state accountable.

Over 40,000 Egyptians have been detained since the military takeover in 2013. A few received international attention such as Mahmoud Hussein, who was detained without charge for nearly two years for wearing a “No to torture” T-Shirt; and Shawkan, a photojournalist who has been kept behind bars for over two years, violating Egypt's own law that states the maximum pretrial detention period can last no more than 24 months.

Press freedoms have also been violated. The only Egyptian media permitted to operate is risibly biased towards Sisi. The President has shown his impatience with his own media in a televised speech, claiming that a small criticism towards him was “torture”. Ironic for a regime known for its use of the same.

Adding to the isolation of those not in prison, Sisi rewards propaganda journalists and television presenters. One such regime loyalist, who has both openly threatened activists, and aired their private phone calls, is now a member of parliament.

Add to the above mass killings of unarmed civilians, mass death sentences, forced evictions of Sinai residents from their homes and a plethora of draconian laws that have stifled political life in Egypt. Sisi's invitation to number 10 is an insult to all Egyptians suffering under Sisi, to human rights and perhaps even to British citizens who want no hand in supporting oppressors.

As the Sisi regime commits one atrocity after another, the UK's policy seems to support such impunity by cutting deals and extending a legitimizing hand at the expense of Egyptian youth, who are primarily targeted. There must be something gained by the UK in order to insist on inviting a tyrant; maybe the increase of arms sales to Egypt, maybe business with British corporations such as the deal to grant British Petroleum 100 per cent equity on a discovered oil field, or maybe something else. What is it that is purchased at the expense of morals and the blood and livelihood of Egypt's citizens? This is a question that the British Government should answer, and the least Egyptians deserve to know.

Wael Eskandar is an independent journalist and political analyst based in Cairo.