Support for non-violent protest in Egypt

31 January 2011

The Green Party has called for the UK government to support non-violent protest in Egypt.

Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party, and Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "I have been shocked by the brutal response by the Mubarak government to the pro-democracy protests, including police violence that has used tear gas bombs, rubber and plastic bullets, and diluted mustard gas.

"The Government-led shutdown of telecommunications across the country also raises serious questions about the lengths to which Mubarak will go in order to silence the people - and about the independence of network operators.

"I have asked William Hague, as Foreign Secretary, to have discussions with his Egyptian counterpart to try and facilitate freedom of speech and peaceful protest." (1)

Lucas added that: "President Hosni Mubarak needs to respond to the mass protests which are demanding reform, not the reshuffling of his ministers. And instead of speaking about the need for stability, I'd rather hear Western governments talk about the need to create a multi-party democracy in Egypt."

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Notes

1) Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, has asked the following question of the Foreign Secretary, William Hague:

"What recent reports he has received of a) political unrest and b) the disruption of internet and mobile phone communications in Egypt and if he will have discussions with his Egyptian counterpart for the purposes of facilitating peaceful protest and maintaining freedom of speech and assembly, and if he will make a statement?"

 

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