Amnesty International on Wednesday said that security forces must take urgent steps to avoid further bloodshed as pro-Morsi sit-ins were dispersed in Cairo and added that the organization had been working on the ground to verify any abuses that may have been carried out.
“Promises by the authorities to use lethal methods only as a last resort to disperse protesters appear to have been broken. All too often in the past the Egyptian security forces have used excessive force against demonstrators with catastrophic consequences,” said Philip Luther, Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.
Luther added, “security forces have a duty to prevent further loss of life. This must be an immediate priority”.
The organization also noted that "access to the main hospital in the area near the sit-in at Rabaa al-Adawiya is also reported to be restricted".
“As an immediate step, any injured protesters must be granted unimpeded access to medical treatment. The authorities must also ensure safe exit for anyone wishing to leave the sit-in,” said Luther.
At least 278 Egyptians were killed and 2,001 others injured in violence that engulfed Egypt following the forcible dispersal of two sit-ins staged by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, the Health Ministry announced late Wednesday.
The Egyptian government declared an eleven-hour curfew in 14 provinces for a one-month period starting Wednesday.
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