Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Egypt Violence, Stressing Importance

of Peaceful Protest, Respect for Free Assembly

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the violence yesterday in Egypt, where more than 50 people were killed in clashes.  He conveys his condolences to the families of those killed and his wishes for a full and speedy recovery of those injured.

As he had stated ahead of the announced demonstrations, the Secretary-General once again stresses the importance of peaceful protest, respect for freedom of assembly and commitment to non-violence.  The Secretary-General continues to underscore the need for political inclusion, full respect for human rights, including of those detained in prison and the rule of law as the basis for a peaceful, democratic transition in Egypt.  These are the same principles to which the Egyptian authorities themselves have committed in the road map they have set forth.

The Secretary-General also strongly condemns today’s attacks against military personnel and facilities, which reportedly killed eight persons and injured many more.

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For information media • not an official record