Human Rights Watch (HRW) has demanded the new Egyptian government to direct the armed forces to discontinue arbitrary measures taken against the Muslim Brotherhood.
They have asked that the army stop shutting down pro-Brotherhood television channels in the wake of Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s removal of President Mohamed Morsi from power.
In a statement issued Sunday, the international organization called on the army to release Morsi and his aides unless the Public Prosecution finds that they were responsible for crimes punishable by Egyptian law.
The group urges that the international code of human rights, which protects the right to freedom of expression and the right to form peaceful associations, should be respected whether charges are leveled against Brotherhood leaders or not.
Deputy Director for Middle East and North Africa Joe Stork said that there are indications of intent to isolate the Brotherhood from political life. “There is no political freedom without strict respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights,” he said.
“After a year of conflict between the judiciary and the Muslim Brotherhood, the last thing Egypt needs is arbitrary arrests and trials,” he added, calling on public prosecutors to be cautious and transparent while issuing arrest warrants.
The statement said security forces arrested at least six members of the Freedom and Justice Party on charges of inciting violence and insulting the judiciary.
It also said Egypt must conduct investigations that are independent of any political interference or bias, and must bring to account any person who has committed serious crimes, whether he belongs to the army, the police, or the Muslim Brotherhood.
