The National Association Calls for Investigation into Ramses Fire

The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms is following with deep concern the developments of the massive fire that broke out this morning inside the Ramses Central Building, affiliated with Telecom Egypt. This facility is considered one of the vital infrastructures supporting the country’s digital backbone and national telecommunications services.

As of the time of issuing this statement, the fire is still burning inside the building, despite ongoing efforts by civil protection forces to contain and extinguish it. Fears are mounting about the wider impact of the blaze on technical infrastructure and potential service disruptions across multiple areas in Cairo.

While the Association commends the efforts of the firefighting teams in responding to the incident, it stresses that the prolonged duration of the fire raises legitimate questions about the adequacy of safety and protection systems within the facility, and the effectiveness of emergency preparedness and prevention protocols in such strategically significant sites.

The Association emphasizes that securing telecommunications facilities is not merely a matter of operational safety but is also a fundamental pillar for ensuring digital rights, freedom of access to information, and the continuity of essential public services relied upon daily by millions of citizens.

Accordingly, the Association calls for the following:

Launching an immediate and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire, taking into account technical aspects and administrative responsibilities, with the results publicly disclosed in a transparent manner.

Assessing the compliance of national telecommunications facilities with safety and security standards, and conducting an urgent technical review of all critical infrastructure.

Providing regular and official updates from the relevant authorities regarding the fire’s developments, its impact on services, and recovery plans.

Evaluating the social and economic impact of service disruptions, and establishing mechanisms to compensate affected individuals and service institutions.

The ongoing fire at a facility of such national importance underscores the urgent need for a serious and comprehensive review of Egypt’s public infrastructure protection systems. It is essential to safeguard lives and uphold the fundamental rights of citizens—most notably, the right to communication and the free flow of information.

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