On Thursday 3 October, a spokesperson for the EU condemned the reprisals carried out by the Egyptian authorities following the 20 September protests (see EUROPE 12336/16). It is estimated that more than 2000 people have been detained in various parts of the country since the protests.
Fresh protests against the economic and social situation in the country were planned for Friday, 4 October.
In a statement given to the press, the spokesperson stated that “the response of the Egyptian authorities, including reported harassment by police, arrests of human rights lawyers, some while doing their work, and interference in the functioning of social media, seriously undermines the fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly”.
He stressed that “we expect these fundamental rights to be protected and the authorities to release those who peacefully exercised or defended these rights”, emphasising that these rights are enshrined in the Egyptian Constitution and international human rights law. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)