18 October 2013
Egypt’s draft protest law paves the way for new bloodshed, Amnesty International warned today. If signed by interim President Adly Mansour, the law would both arbitrarily restrict the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and give the security forces a free rein to use excessive and lethal force – including against supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.
Under the draft, the security forces have the power to disperse unauthorized peaceful protests with water cannons, tear gas and batons. The draft law also allows the security forces to use lethal force to defend “financial interests” without providing any definition, a move likely to allow abusive interpretations.
Egypt’s authorities have ignored the lessons of past crackdowns that have left hundreds dead, Amnesty International said. Instead of taking the steps urgently needed to rein in the security forces, they have proposed a law that treats peaceful protesters like criminals, and gives the security forces new powers to crush them. It entrenches abusive provisions already present in other Egyptian law.
Since 3 July, over 1,300 people have died in protests and political violence. Of these, 483 people died in Cairo on 14 August when security forces forcibly dispersed pro-Morsi protesters in Rabaa al-Adawiya and al-Nahda in Cairo – including nine members of the security forces.
Amnesty International has also documented many cases where the security forces failed to police protests effectively, leaving Mohamed Morsi’s supporters and opponents to wage bloody street battles.
Under international law, Egypt must uphold the right to freedom of assembly. International law and standards state that security forces must not use lethal force, except when there are no other alternatives to protect life or prevent serious injury.
See full article here.