London, 22 Oct. -(ANA) - Amnesty International has released the attached Public Statement on a draft law passed by the Egyptian cabinet and pending final approval by President Adly Mansour that would arbitrarily restrict the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.
 
“As well as placing restrictions on the right to freedom of assembly the proposed law would give security forces a free rein to use excessive and lethal force against demonstrators – including supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi - paving the way for further bloodshed in Egypt,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
 
“As it stands the draft law fails to meet international law and standards and should be scrapped immediately. It treats peaceful protesters like criminals and grants security forces additional powers to crush them.” (ANA)

AB/ANA/ 22 October 2013  - - -