A statement signed by a group of nations in Geneva condemning freedoms and human rights violations by interim authorities in Egypt is “inaccurate," a spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Saturday
The statement issued by 27 UN member states on Friday from the organization’s Human Rights Council in Geneva expressed concern about Egypt’s repeated use of excessive force against demonstrators.
Badr Abdel Aaty said the report was imbalanced in tackling the alleged use of excessive force by Egyptian security forces, contending that the due procedures in confronting protests by security is to maintain the "utmost self-restraint and compliance with the law."
Abdel Aaty added that the report, however, contained some positive points, such as the condemning of violence in the Sinai Peninsula and other regions. He also pointed out the report's praise for the formation of a fact-finding committee to probe incidents of violence that followed the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsy in June 2013. It also lauded some provisions in the new constitution that ensure freedoms and rights.
The official denied the occurrence of indiscriminate detentions, arguing that arrests are carried out as per prosecution-issued warrants and stressed that the Egyptian judiciary remains fair and independent.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
