Amnesty Calls for Human Rights Reform in Egypt
Activist organization Amnesty International has called on Egypt’s authorities to end 30 years of repressive emergency rule and allow ordinary Egyptians to fully participate in shaping the country’s future.
The organization said at this critical moment of change, “human rights reform must begin now.”
“Those now in power should view the activism on the streets of Cairo and other cities not as a threat, but as an opportunity to consign the systematic abuses of the past to history,” said Claudio Cordone, senior director at Amnesty International. “Political transition must involve the people and foster respect for human rights.”
[ Also Read: Upheaval in Egypt: Asher Susser to Host Webcast ] [ Also Read: Mummies of the World Worried on Crisis in Egypt ]The organization called for a curb on the sweeping powers of security forces, the release of all prisoners of conscience, and for safeguards against torture to be introduced in a new human rights action plan addressed to the country’s authorities.
“Egyptians have suffered under a state of emergency for three decades; the decisions made in this momentous period will be critical for Egypt and the region,” said Cordone.
[ Also Read: China Bullying Others to Boycott Nobel Ceremony ] [ Also Read: Nobel Peace Prize for Chinese Human Rights Activist ] [ Also Read: Human Rights Outfit Welcomes Suu Kyi Release ]The call came as unrest and political uncertainty continued to grip Egypt, with protesters gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square demanding human rights and calling for political reform.
The state of emergency that has endured since President Hosni Mubarak came to power in 1981 has led to widespread human rights violations, Amnesty said in a statement issued Thursday, Feb. 10.
[ Also Read: Wikileaks: All Leaks are being Plugged ] [ Also Read: Obama Ignored Outcries of Sikh Widows: Statement ]Amnesty International also issued a “Human Rights Agenda for Change” demanding that the Egyptian authorities take concrete actions as part of a political transition.
It reflects longstanding demands made by Egyptian civil society. The concrete steps the authorities must take include:
- The state of emergency must be lifted immediately, arbitrary arrests halted and the whereabouts of all those detained revealed.
- The authorities must publicly condemn torture and move swiftly to eradicate it. Allegations of torture must be investigated, the perpetrators brought to justice and reparations provided to the victims.
- The authorities must order independent investigations into all cases where the security forces are reported to have used excessive force.
- Egyptians must be allowed to speak and act freely. The authorities must not criminalize the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
- The Egyptian judicial system must be reformed to ensure its independence and provide oversight of the security forces.
- The underlying demands of the current protests must be urgently addressed by ending discrimination against women and minorities and an adequate standard of living ensured for the whole population.
Amnesty International is organizing a Global Day of Action for Egypt on Saturday, Feb. 12. Demonstrations are planned in 20 countries, including the UK, Australia, Spain, France, South Korea and Norway, as well as U.S. cities including New York, Washington and several other cities.
[ Also Read: Israel Urged to Stop Human Rights Abuses in Jerusalem ] [ Also Read: After Mosque, Demand for Ground Zero Church ]Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide.
Photo courtesy: Amnesty International
