PEN Center USA and the Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International (WiPC) strongly condemn the violence against peaceful pro-democracy protesters in Egypt on February 2, 2011.

 We are alarmed at reports that these attacks were targeted and state sponsored. We consider the Egyptian authorities to be in violation of the state’s international human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of assembly.
PEN calls upon the Egyptian state authorities to immediately release all those detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to free expression, and to guarantee the safety of journalists and independent observers seeking to report on the protests. We also urge a full investigation into allegations of state-sponsored violence.

According to PEN’s information, scores have been arbitrarily detained in the crackdown on peaceful protesters calling for democratic reform in Egypt since January 25, 2011, including several journalists. Many more journalists attempting to cover the demonstrations have been attacked, and tight restrictions have been imposed on freedom of assembly. Reports of physical attacks and brutality against journalists and media outlets have escalated since February 2, 2011, when supporters of President Hosni Mubarak clashed with peaceful anti-government protestors, killing at least five people. Since the protests began ten days ago, hundreds have been injured and an estimated 300 killed across the country. The government has also restricted access to the internet, withdrawn mobile phone services and placed restrictions on independent media.

For more information or to sign the RAN petition, please visit http://www.penusa.org/Egypt-petition.