(AFP PHOTO / MAHMOUD KHALED)
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) called on Egyptian authorities to quickly investigate assaults on journalists covering clashes on the first anniversary of the Rabaa Al-Adaweya sit-in dispersal.
ANHRI also demanded that those responsible for the assaults be punished, and an end to impunity for those who commit such assaults, in order to prevent their recurrence, a Saturday statement said.
ANHRI demanded security and protection for journalists while conducting their work, in order to ensure freedom of the press.
“The attacks on journalists in general, and photojournalists in particular, during their coverage of events is a clear and explicit violation of press freedom, and an attempt by all contending political parties for the blackout of practices of different sides,” said the statement.
ANHRI stressed that journalists should not be considered a party in the ongoing conflict, as their job is to report on events clearly and neutrally.
During the 14 August protests, and during the clashes between supporters of former President Mohamed Morsi and security forces, several journalists were assaulted by unknown civilians. Among them were Al-Shorouk newspaper photojournalist Ahmed Abdel Gawad, Masrawy news website photojournalist Mahmoud Bakkar, and Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper photojournalist Azza Fadali, according to ANHRI.
Six people and a policeman were killed and 18 injured on Thursday and Friday after demonstrators and police clashed in different parts of the country. The latest clashes have occurred one year after the clearing of the Rabaa Al-Adaweya and Nahda Square sit-ins, which Human Rights Watch says resulted in the deaths of at least 904 people. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Anti-Coup Alliance called on Egyptians to demonstrate on Thursday to mark the anniversary.
