PRESS RELEASE
EGYPT: Violent repression of peaceful demonstrations
Geneva, 28 January 2011. The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) condemns the excessive use of force and violence against the protests that have started on 25 January 2011 in different governorates to denounce poverty, corruption and police brutality, which led to the death of at least seven protesters and one policeman, leaving hundreds injured and about one thousand protesters arrested[1].According to the information received, security forces used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the largely peaceful demonstrations and batons, clubs and sticks to beat the protestors. OMCT is also gravely concerned about the safety of those arrested and recalls to the competent authorities of Egypt that they are legally bound to effectively ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all persons deprived of liberty in accordance with international and regional human rights law, and in particular the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights to which Egypt is a State party.
OMCT is also concerned about the blocking of social networks and several Egyptian media websites, which are used by activists, journalists and bloggers, including human rights defenders, to exchange information and provide information on the demonstrations[2]. The Egyptian authorities have for years used the emergency powers to severely curtail freedom of assembly and to crackdown on peaceful opposition protests.
OMCT calls on the Egyptian authorities to
Contact: Eric Sottas, +41 22 809 49 39
[1] According to information received from the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR), a member of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, 1120 individuals were detained from 25 January till 27 January 2011 in 9 governorates (Cairo, Suez, Alexandria, Dakahlia, Gharbia, Northern Sinai, Ismailia, Fioum, Assiut). See EOHR press released diffused on 27 January 2011.
Violent repression of peaceful demonstrations
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