Amnesty calls for end to police brutality in Egypt

Amnesty International has called for an end to police brutality in Egypt, saying that the use of excessive force against protesters by security forces is not justified. The human rights organisation emphasised the importance of police reform and called on the authorities to introduce legislation to regulate security forces in line with international human rights standards. Police officers should not, said Amnesty, be able to act with impunity.

Philip Luther, the organisation’s director for the Middle East and North Africa, said that the bloodshed in Egypt should be a warning to the authorities of the dire need for police reform. He pointed out that security forces are once again using lethal force with a total disregard for human life. “Firearms must only be used by security forces in cases of immediate threats of death or serious injury,” he insisted.