UN raps clampdown on Morsi loyalists

UN raps clampdown on Morsi loyalists
Thu Aug 15, 2013 20:50:56

The United Nations has condemned brutal repression of Egyptian protesters who demand the return of their ousted president Mohamed Morsi to power.

On Wednesday, a report released by the UN, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon denounced in the strongest terms the violence in Egypt, and urged all Egyptians to focus on promoting “inclusive reconciliation.”

“The Secretary-General regrets that Egyptian authorities chose instead to use force to respond to the ongoing demonstrations,” statement added.

“In the aftermath of today’s (Wednesday’s) violence, the Secretary-General urges all Egyptians to concentrate their efforts on promoting genuinely inclusive reconciliation,” it noted.

The statement continued, “While recognizing that political clocks do not run backwards, the Secretary-General also believes firmly that violence and incitement from any side are not the answers to the challenges Egypt face.”

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood says at least 2,200 people have been killed and 10,000 others injured in the crackdown by the Egyptian security forces on protest sit-ins held by the supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo.

The Brotherhood said the figure was provided by Raba'a hospital on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the interim Egyptian government imposed a month-long state of emergency as unrest sweeps across the Arab nation.

Tension has intensified in Egypt since July 3 when the Egyptian army removed Morsi from office. The army also suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament.

Hundreds of protesters, mostly Morsi’s supporters, have been killed or wounded during the unrelenting violence that erupted since the removal of Morsi.

On August 12, the Anti-Coup Pro-Democracy Alliance called on people to hold nationwide rallies to counter the military clampdown on their sit-ins.

The Egyptian army had earlier warned of taking action against pro-Morsi protesters.

MRKD/SHI

 

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