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Part of a European Parliament press release on Egypt, February 7, 2014 - screenshot via the parliament website
CAIRO, Feb 7 (Aswat Masriya) – The European Parliament has urged political powers and security forces in Egypt to show the utmost restraint and avoid violence.
In a press release it issued on Thursday, the parliament members said that “interim authorities and security forces must ensure the security of all citizens and commit to dialogue and non-violence, and to respecting their obligations.”
It also urged them to end all acts of violence, harassment and intimidation against political opponents, journalists, trade unions, and civil society representatives.
“The interim government must guarantee that these actors, both domestic and international, can operate freely in the country.”
The parliament expressed its concern about some constitution articles that exempt the armed forces from civilian control and allows military judges to try civilians involved in crimes or assaults on the armed forces and military installations.
“The referendum on the constitution was an opportunity to build national consensus, reconciliation and stability in the country,” the parliament members said.
They also called on the EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, to make public the report of the EU expert electoral mission that monitored the referendum in Egypt, they added.