UN human rights chief says '300 killed' by Egyptian police
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Vienna, Feb 1, IRNA -- The Geneva-based United Nations human rights chief said Tuesday there were unconfirmed reports that an estimated 300 people may have been killed so far in Egypt.
Navi Pillay, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said she was deeply alarmed by the sharp rise in casualties over the past few days.
'Casualties have been mounting on a daily basis, with unconfirmed reports suggesting as many as 300 people may have been killed so far, more than 3,000 injured and hundreds arrested,' a statement from Pillay read.
At least one million Egyptians took to the streets on Tuesday in scenes never before seen in the Arab nation's modern history.
'Tuesday's march seems likely to be a pivotal moment in Egypt's transition to a freer, fairer and more democratic society,' Pillay said.
'I urge both the army and the police to act with the utmost care and restraint,' she said, stressing protesters should also avoid committing acts of violence.
Authorities should listen to 'the demands of the Egyptian people for fundamental reforms to improve human rights and democracy,' said Pillay, who made similar appeals in the days before the fall of Tunisian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
The emergency law had been abused by security forces and other state institutions, she said.
She urged the government to stop disrupting communications, Internet and transport, as well as media including Al Jazeera.
'People have a right to protest, and freedom of information is especially important at times like these,' she said.
In the meantime, the Geneva-based International Commission of Jurists said in a statement, 'Egypt has been ruled under an effectively permanent state of emergency which has seen dissidents and activists subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention, widespread use of torture and 'flagrantly unfair trials' before exceptional and military courts.
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