August 14, 2013

MPAC today condemned the Egyptian military’s deadly use of force against pro-Morsi protestors and imposition of emergency law for the next 30 days, which suspends the right to a trial or due process. So far, at least 235 people have been killed and hundreds more have been injured. In response to the violence, interim Vice-President Mohamed ElBaradei resigned from his position in protest stating that the crisis should have been dealt with through “peaceful means.”

“There is no justification for this type of violence under any circumstance,” said MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati. “It is the responsibility of the state to protect all of its citizens, regardless of political affiliation and support. The people of Egypt have continued to demand inclusion, democracy and freedom in the two years since the initial January 25 protests began and they deserve to do so without endangering their lives.”

The Egyptian people should be allowed to exercise free speech and protest in the name of the democracy they are seeking to create. The military must immediately halt attacks against its citizens and work with all parties involved to come to a compromise that ensures a constructive way forward that will achieve the aims of the revolution. The military should not abuse the emergency laws that have been invoked by extending it beyond its scheduled termination and should return all control of governance to civilian hands.

It is also important to point out that the use of religious overtones and confrontational rhetoric is inflammatory and divisive to many ordinary Egyptians as they seek an end to the crisis. The leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood also bears some responsibility for today’s events, given their unwillingness to work toward a compromise and find ways to move beyond the political stalemate.