Military Using Force to End Protests, Jail Critics
Human Rights Watch
November 27, 2011
"(New York) – The weeks before Egypt’s parliamentary elections are scheduled to start on November 28, 2011, have been marked by repeated violations of free expression and free assembly, Human Rights Watch said today. Over the past nine months, military and police officers have forcibly dispersed peaceful protests, arrested demonstrators and bloggers for criticizing the military, and failed to uphold the rule of law in policing operations, Human Rights Watch said.
Before the first round of a three-stage parliamentary election cycle, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which has ruled Egypt since the February 11 ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, should take steps to improve security and protection of basic rights during the vote, Human Rights Watch said. Ahead of the vote, SCAF should cancel emergency laws that curb assembly and allow for mass detention without charge or trial, order an end to military trials, stop harassment of bloggers and other critics of the government, and permit free, peaceful assembly.
“Egyptians need to feel safe when they go to vote – to know they can criticize the authorities and still be protected by the security forces,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Removing Mubarak from power is not a substitute for ensuring the basic rights of Egyptians, whatever the generals might think.”....."
Human Rights Watch
November 27, 2011
"(New York) – The weeks before Egypt’s parliamentary elections are scheduled to start on November 28, 2011, have been marked by repeated violations of free expression and free assembly, Human Rights Watch said today. Over the past nine months, military and police officers have forcibly dispersed peaceful protests, arrested demonstrators and bloggers for criticizing the military, and failed to uphold the rule of law in policing operations, Human Rights Watch said.
Before the first round of a three-stage parliamentary election cycle, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which has ruled Egypt since the February 11 ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, should take steps to improve security and protection of basic rights during the vote, Human Rights Watch said. Ahead of the vote, SCAF should cancel emergency laws that curb assembly and allow for mass detention without charge or trial, order an end to military trials, stop harassment of bloggers and other critics of the government, and permit free, peaceful assembly.
“Egyptians need to feel safe when they go to vote – to know they can criticize the authorities and still be protected by the security forces,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Removing Mubarak from power is not a substitute for ensuring the basic rights of Egyptians, whatever the generals might think.”....."
No comments:
Post a Comment