04/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU welcomes end of state of emergency. On 1 June, the EU welcomed the expiry of the state of emergency in Egypt. As Egypt prepares for the second round of the presidential elections and the transfer of power to civilian rule, the EU sees this as “an essential step in meeting the demands and aspirations of the Egyptian people in the ongoing democratic transition”. The end of the state of emergency “should contribute significantly to the protection of fundamental human rights for all citizens”, said the spokesperson for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton. The Egyptian army announced the ending of the state of emergency, which has been in place since 1981, on 31 May. The law on the state of emergency restricted human rights by extending the powers of the police to arrest and detain suspects and permitting detainees to be tried before special courts. (CG/transl.rt)