UN criticises Egypt protest law
2013-02-19 22:10
Geneva - The UN's human rights office on Tuesday took
Egypt to task over a planned law on public protests, saying it would curb
freedoms and breach international rules.
"Although freedom of assembly can be subject to certain
restrictions, freedom should be considered the rule, and restrictions the
exception," Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights, told reporters.
He said draft legislation approved last week by Egypt's
cabinet would undermine "one of the cornerstones of democracy".
The draft stipulates that organisers must inform
authorities in advance of plans to protest and the interior ministry has the
right to reject a demonstration.
Protests will be restricted to a specific location in
each province to be decided by the governor.
The draft also prohibits setting up platforms for
speakers and the use of tents during sit-ins, as well as the carrying of
banners or the chanting of slogans deemed defamatory or insulting to religion
or state institutions.
The Egyptian government argues that the legislation -
which still needs to be ratified by the upper house of parliament - is meant to
prevent the mixing of peaceful and violent protests.
Colville said freedom of assembly was protected by a raft
of international human rights accords ratified decades ago by Egypt.
"No one should be criminalised or subjected to any
threats or acts of violence, harassment or persecution for addressing human
rights issues through peaceful protests," he said.
Egypt has witnessed violence, insecurity and price hikes,
fuelling political turmoil already plaguing the country.
Protests by Egyptians who accuse Islamist President
Mohamed Morsi of betraying the revolution that brought him to power, have often
turned into violent and sometimes deadly clashes with police.
