Geneva Institute for Human Rights

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Wednesday condemned Egypt’s military and security forces for attempting to suppress demonstrations over the past five days, in particular for the reported killing of some 30 protesters demanding a return to civilian rule and the injuring of many hundreds of others.

“I urge the Egyptian authorities to end the clearly excessive use of force against protesters in Tahrir square and elsewhere in the country, including the apparent improper use of tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition,” Pillay said, noting that many protesters have also been arbitrarily rounded up.

“Some of the images coming out of Tahrir, including the brutal beating of already subdued protesters, are deeply shocking, as are the reports of unarmed protesters being shot in the head,” she stressed. “There should be a prompt, impartial and independent investigation, and accountability for those found responsible for the abuses that have taken place.”

Instead of improving security and helping Egypt’s difficult transition to democracy, the security forces actions have once again inflamed the situation, resulting in huge numbers of people taking to the streets to demand their rights, she said. "The more they see fellow protesters being carted away in ambulances, the more determined and energized they become," she said.

Pillay also reiterated her concern over recent attempts to curb civil society activities. Her fact-finding mission dispatched in April worked with Egyptian stakeholders to identify key steps toward a democratic society, such as lifting the state of emergency, implementing an effective electoral monitoring system, eradicating torture, adopting a transitional justice system, and reforming the security sector.

Those steps, she said, should underpin national efforts towards the establishment of an open and democratic Egypt. Instead, she added, "we are seeing another outbreak of violence by the state against its increasingly and legitimately angry citizens.”