Human rights advocacy group Amnesty International on Wednesday called on Egyptian authorities to protect the right to peaceful protests and blamed Wednesday's outbreak of violence at Tahrir square on the Egyptian authorities.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Egyptian army asked anti-Mubarak protesters to go home in response to President Mubarak’s pledge not to re-run in the upcoming September presidential elections.
Later in the day, the military forces based in Tahrir square allowed pro-Mubarak demonstrators to enter the square and watched for hours the resulting turmoil and violence without interference. "The army seems now to be reneging on its commitment to protect peaceful protesters," stated Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle East and North Africa Program Deputy Director at Amnesty International.
Pro-Mubarak protesters gained control over some entry points to Tahrir, preventing an Amnesty International staff member from entering the square.
An Amnesty International fact-finding team in Egypt reported that the violence seems to be organized in part by the Egyptian authorities, a typical tactic employed by the regime in cases of demonstrations and political opposition. "It looks like much of this violence is being orchestrated by the Egyptian authorities in order to force an end to the anti-government protests, restore their control and cling on to power in face of unprecedented public demands for them to go," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
Over the past few years, Amnesty International has documented how “thugs” were hired by the Egyptian authorities during times of elections and demonstrations to disperse political opposition.
“Attacks on anti-government demonstrators are now occurring in other key cities across Egypt,” reported Amnesty International. Field researchers confirmed lorries transporting pro-Mubarak demonstrators around Mahalla this morning.
