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The has reported that prisoners held at 1 and 2, also known as the Scorpion prison, are experiencing a significant increase in skin diseases.Ìý

According to the network, the rise in cases among prisoners is due to a lack of exposure to the sun, a lack of hygiene Ìýand the deliberate neglect of detainees by the prison administration.Ìý

"The spread of scabies, psoriasis, tinea, and fungi comes in conjunction with the continued failure of the administration of Al-Aqrab 1 and 2 prisons to prevent the entry of hygiene items, general medication, and medicines to protect against skin diseases in particular," the Egyptian Network for Human Rights said.

"Additionally, the high temperatures in the air in the summer, and the structural nature of the prison cell’s concrete walls, as well as the high humidity inside, all contribute to the spread of infectious skin diseases among detainees,"Ìýthe NGO continued.Ìý

The rights group has accused of intransigence on the matterÌýand compounding the issues of prisoners.Ìý

It warned that the combination of poor hygiene, a lack of access to personal cleaning supplies and the neglect of detainees by the authoritiesÌýrisked creating a serious health disaster if left unaddressed urgently.

Egyptian Network for Human Rights spoke about hunger strikes and a number of attempted suicides at Helwan's notorious Al-Aqrab prison

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The NGO described how the prison cells in Al-Aqrab Prison 1 receiveÌýno sunlight or fresh airÌýand that the only opening in the cell is a tiny hole through which the detainees' food is delivered.Ìý

"It's the only source of ventilation, but it opens onto damp passages with an unbearable musty smell."

Furthermore, detainees are given just a single bar of soap, which must last for several months.Ìý

The rights organisation described the practises at the prison as "a slow, premeditated murder", explaining that over the past eight years, the authorities at the prison have engaged in a systematic operation to kill the detainees, who number over a thousand.Ìý

The continued denial of prison visits prompted some prisoners to begin a hunger strike, which started on 6 August.Ìý

The striking detainees are demanding that visits to the prison be allowedÌýand that they are granted access to exercise, sunlightÌýand fresh air.Ìý

The Egyptian Network for Human Rights have branded to actions of the Egyptian authorities at Al-Aqrab High Security Prison 1 and 2 as "torture"Ìýand have called on the Egyptian Public Prosecutor Counsellor Hamada El-SawyÌýto take action and prevent further abuses.Ìý