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"Human rights are universal and any violation of these rights, most importantly the right to life – must be denounced and condemned regardless of the identity of the victim and ideological and political considerations" said Rachid Mesli, Director of Alkarama's Legal Department.
Ahmed Mefreh, Alkarama's representative in Cairo, visited various protests and several public hospitals last week to gather information and testimonies regarding cases of extrajudicial executions by the Egyptian armed forces and police.
According to the information collected, at least 109 protestors were killed by gunshot fired by the military and the police between 3 and 8 July in Marsa Matrouh, Ismailia, Alexandria, Cairo and Al-Arish.
3 July 2013: Killing of four protestors on Al-Kornish Street, Marsa Matrouh by military forces.
4 July 2013:
- Killing of two people in front of the official building of the Ismailia Governorate, Ismailia City by direct shotgun fired by military forces from the Third Field Army dressed in uniform.
- Killing of three people at a protest organized in front of official building of the Al-Arish Governorate by a direct gunshot by military forces.
5 July 2013:
- Killing of 12 individuals by direct gunshot fired by military police, Northern Military Area, Sidi Gaber, Alexandria.
- Killing of four individuals on the Cornish in front of the Republican Guards compound in Cairo by direct gunshot by military forces and military police in uniform.
- Killing of five individuals at a protest in front of the Maspero building in Cairo by police forces in uniforms.
7 July 2013: Killing of one individual at a protest in front of the official building of the Al-Arish Governorate by police forces in uniform.
8 July 2013 – Deadliest shooting by Egyptian military since coup of 3 July
Since the military coup of 3 July, several hundred supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi have gathered in front of the Republic Guards compound in Eastern Cairo, where it is believed he is being held. On Monday 8 July 2013, at 3:45, as the protestors were observing dawn prayers, the military forces fired, killing 78 individuals and injuring thousands.
According to information gathered by our team, the military operation appears to have been organized and commanded by senior military officers present at the gathering. Dozens of protestors present have provided oral and video testimonies of the shootings.
The version of events given by officials, states that 43 people died and 200 were injured, all by gunshot and that "the military shot armed terrorists that were attempting to attack the Republican Guard compound". This narrative is contradicted by numerous testimonies that we have collected on the site of the incident and those of independent observers who report that the military started firing on the protestors without warning as they were praying in the street.
The interim president appointed by the military, Mr Adly Mansour did not, as of yesterday, condemn these serious violations. However, he did declare that he would be seeking an investigation. "Any such investigation must be prompt, impartial and independent, and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted and victims provided justice and reparations," Mesli stated.
Today, Alkarama sought the urgent intervention of UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial executions to ensure the investigation that takes place is prompt, independent and impartial. Alkarama is concerned by the escalation of violent clashes following deadly military operations, in particular that of 8 July, and calls on all parties to refrain from calls to violence in order to prevent further bloodshed.
Our representatives in Cairo are currently documenting cases of human rights violations committed by the Egyptian security forces following the 3 July military coup, namely the detention of some 600 people, as well as disappearances and deaths under torture, recalling the worst practices of the Mubarak era.
For more information:
Ahmed Mefreh, Alkarama representative in Egypt: 00 20 100 985 09 89, mefreh@alkarama.org