"11 February 2011 remains ingrained in the world’s consciousness as the day when ordinary Egyptians armed with courage, determination and hope for a better future brought down a repressive police state.
Two years later, frustrations are growing at the slow pace of reform and ongoing abuses committed by police and other security forces who continue to act with impunity.
Police brutality was one of the main triggers of the “25 January Revolution”.
In 2010, police beat Khaled Said to death causing a public outcry, which led to the creation of the “We are all Khaled Said” Facebook group, instrumental in rallying support for protests on the 25 January 2011.
The current Egyptian administration has evidently learned little from the downfall of its predecessor. Despite overwhelming evidence, the Egyptian government turns a blind eye to persistent torture allegations insisting they are “isolated acts”.
The shocking images of Hamada Saber, stripped of his clothes and brutally beaten by riot police in the streets of Cairo on 1 February served as proof of the continuing brutality of the Egyptian security forces. Hamada Saber changed his testimony numerous times, initially blaming protesters raising the question whether he was subject to pressure from the Ministry of interior. This incident echoes the old tactics of brutality, denial and attempts to cover-up by the government.
Hamada Saber is not the only victim. Amnesty International has gathered testimony of protesters and passers-by arbitrarily arrested, detained and beaten by security forces in recent weeks......."
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