It has been five straight days of clashes between government protesters and Egyptian police in central Cairo and the death toll from the ongoing unrest has risen to at least 38. Now, the United Nations strongly condemned what it called the use of excessive force by security forces.
STORY: NOT AGAIN! Over 20 Killed As Egyptian Military Clash With Protesters
Young people have been gathering in Tahrir Square, wanting Egypt’s military rule to hand over power to a civilian government.
The ruling military says that they will have a presidential election in the first half of next year, but that plan was quickly rejected by tens of thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square.
The protesters, who have withstood tear gas and beatings, say they have no wish to storm the ministry, but were trying to keep the police and army from moving on Tahrir Square.
Navi Pillay, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights told the Associated Press:
“Some of the images coming out of Tahrir, including the brutal beating of already subdued protesters, are deeply shocking, as are the reports of unarmed protesters being shot in the head.
There should be a prompt, impartial and independent investigation, and accountability for those found responsible for the abuses that have taken place should be ensured.”
And Pillay is correct, the images are very violent. The five days of clashes are the longest uninterrupted violence since the 18-day uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarack back in February.
