By Mahitab Assran
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, along with several other organisations, issued a joint statement on Tuesday 2 July condemning the use of violence against protesters in Egypt.
The statement stressed the freedom and right to protest freely and peacefully “which was an essential part of the January 25th revolution.” It denounced the use of violence against protesters per various media reports.
The Dignity Foundation for Human Rights, Enlightenment Centre for Development and Human Rights, the Centre for the Right to Democracy and Human Rights, and Amman Centre for Human Rights Studies were also included in the statement.
The joint statement also called on the state and those with “political power” to allow and encourage peaceful demonstrations “which is the only solution to ensure the democratic transition and consolidation in Egypt. “
The statement also praised the role of the Egyptian armed forces and police forces “for their honourable position,” noting, however, that they must stop the “illegitimate groups who act violently towards protesters” and send them to trial.
The Egyptian government must give in to the people’s demands, concluded the statement, claiming, “it would be mad to ignore the call of 14 million protestors.”
