Turkish Prisoners in Egypt: A Report by the Delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross — John Shaqi
Turkish Prisoners in Egypt: A Report by the Delegates of the International Committee of the Red CrossInternational Committee of the Red Cross
History
Turkish Prisoners in Egypt: A Report by the Delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross
International Committee of the Red Cross
World War, 1914-1918 -- Prisoners and prisons, British
_The Severely Wounded and those who have lost Limbs._--A special
quarter of the camp contains 55 men who have lost limbs in the war. They
are provided with the most perfect prothesis apparatus, jointed
artificial limbs. Among them are 2 blind men. Sixty other wounded who
have escaped more lightly suffer from stiffness of the joints, ankylosis
and atrophy. They are well provided with sticks and crutches.
_Deaths._--Two aged prisoners have died in the camp, both from apoplexy.
They were interred with military honours in the Moslem burial-ground
nearest to the camp.
_Exercise._--No limit is placed upon the time during which exercise may
be taken in the open space round the barracks.
_Work._--The prisoners have not to do work. Several attempts have been
made to teach them boot-making, but their results were so unpromising
that they were given up. Although there are many agriculturists among
the prisoners, it would not do to use them for work on the land along
with the natives, owing to the ease with which they could escape and the
need for having many soldiers to guard them. However, for some weeks
past the camp commandant has made trial of using some prisoners for
market gardening on lands beside the Nile, just outside the camp.
_Discipline._--Under the head of discipline there are hardly any
complaints to make, and punishment has rarely had to be inflicted. One
case of escape was punished with three months' imprisonment without any
alteration in diet. Only tobacco was cut off. An old offender was
brought before a court-martial, and sentenced by it to six months'
imprisonment. The prison quarters are cells built entirely of cement,
with two barred windows well above the ground to light the chamber,
which is of ample size.
_Right to Make Complaints._--The camp commandant makes a general
inspection every day. Every prisoner has the right to step forward and
make his complaints. The commandant converses with the prisoners through
the medium of several British officers who speak Arabic and Turkish.
Moreover, the prisoners have the right of appeal to the
Commander-in-Chief and to Brig.-General Casson, who often make tours of
inspection through the camps.
_Religion._--The prisoners have every opportunity for practising their
religious observances. For the Mahometans a small mosque has been built,
round which they spread their praying carpets. Some of them read the
Koran regularly; others seem indifferent. Despite differences of race,
origin, and even of religion, good-feeling prevails among the prisoners
and quarrels are very few in number.
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