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FCO concerned by sentencing of activists in Egypt

Hugh Robertson concerned by sentencing of activists in Egypt and calls on Egyptian government to implement rights contained in the constitution.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East Hugh Robertson said:

I was very concerned to hear about the sentencing of Alaa Abdel Fattah and other activists in Cairo yesterday. The defendants have been charged with offences relating to their participation in a peaceful protest which took place during my visit to Egypt in December.

Egypt’s constitution rightly demands respect for freedom of expression and association and I call on the new Egyptian government to ensure that they implement these rights for Egyptian citizens, including by reviewing the Protest Law.

The UK continues to believe that the best way for Egyptians to achieve the goals of Egypt’s 25 January revolution is through an inclusive political process which respects human rights.

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Published 12 June 2014