Amnesty International Says at Critical Moment of Change in Egypt, "Human Rights Reform Must Begin Now"

Amnesty International today called on Egypt's authorities to end 30 years of repressive emergency rule and allow ordinary Egyptians to fully participate in shaping the country's future. The organization said at this critical moment of change, "human rights reform must begin now."

"Those now in power should view the activism on the streets of Cairo and other cities not as a threat, but as an opportunity to consign the systematic abuses of the past to history," said Claudio Cordone, Senior Director at Amnesty International. "Political transition must involve the people and foster respect for human rights."

The organization called for a curb on the sweeping powers of security forces, the release of all prisoners of conscience, and for safeguards against torture to be introduced in a new human rights action plan addressed to the country's authorities.

"Egyptians have suffered under a state of emergency for three decades; the decisions made in this momentous period will be critical for Egypt and the region," said Cordone.

"This is a real test of leadership for the Egyptian authorities. Human rights reform must begin now," said Cordone. "The Egyptians who have come out in force in recent weeks have been waiting 30 years for change, and they must now be able to participate meaningfully in shaping their future."

The call came as unrest and political uncertainty continued to grip Egypt, with protesters gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding human rights and calling for political reform.

The state of emergency that has endured since President Hosni Mubarak came to power in 1981 has led to widespread human rights violations.

Amnesty International issued a "Human Rights Agenda for Change" demanding that the Egyptian authorities take concrete actions as part of a political transition. It reflects longstanding demands made by Egyptian civil society. The concrete steps the authorities must take include:

* The state of emergency must be lifted immediately, arbitrary arrests halted and the whereabouts of all those detained revealed.
* The authorities must publicly condemn torture and move swiftly to eradicate it. Allegations of torture must be investigated, the perpetrators brought to justice and reparations provided to the victims.
* The authorities must order independent investigations into all cases where the security forces are reported to have used excessive force.
* Egyptians must be allowed to speak and act freely. The authorities must not criminalize the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
* The Egyptian judicial system must be reformed to ensure its independence and provide oversight of the security forces.
* The underlying demands of the current protests must be urgently addressed by ending discrimination against women and minorities and an adequate standard of living ensured for the whole population.