In conjunction with Egypt report adoption's session in the context of the Universal Periodic Review

Anti-violence and terrorism protest for activists and Egyptian residents in Geneva in front of the United Nations Headquarters

Aqil: Terrorism is no longer linked to a specific political path, and the proof is “Tunisia”

On the sidelines of Egypt report adoption's session in the context of the universal periodic review scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, 20 March 2015 at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, a number of human rights activists and Egyptian expatriates in Geneva organized a protest in front of the United Nations Headquarters today Thursday, 19 March 2015 to condemn the violence and terrorism, and to express their rejection of the support and political cover provided by the Muslim Brotherhood for the perpetrators of the violence and terrorism activities.

Ayman Okeil, human rights activist, cassation lawyer, and President of Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights, one of those who invited for and participated in the protest stated that; "the protest came in the context of the recognition of a number of human rights activists and Egyptians living in Geneva, of the challenge represented by terrorism and its effect on the human rights system in Egypt, pointing out that violence and terrorism is no longer associated with a particular political path and indicating the horrific terrorist incident witnessed by the Tunisian capital recently as an evidence".

Okeil added that the protest organization came in conjunction with Egypt report adoption's session before the UPR emphasized a clear and specific message indicating that the Egyptians who initiated two popular revolutions on dictatorship and fascism will not be silenced on human rights violations, whether committed by some State entities, or those large-scale violations committed by political violence and terror groups during the post 30 June 2013 revolution, pointing out that the latter was and still is the most powerful and direct threat to the right to life and the right to economic and social development aspired by the Egyptians.

Okeil referred to the statics reflected by the Foundation's Parliamentary Elections Observatory indicating the frantic escalation in violence activities and bombings, where they reached 184 incidents last week (6-12 March 2015) compared to 115 incidents the week before, with a total of over 1000 violence incidents since early January 2015, and ccording to Okeil, most of the bombings target civilians and services facilities as suggested by the statics.

The protesters raised slogans and banners and disseminated photos to the UN Human Rights Council visitors revealing the horrific terrorist crimes committed in Egypt over the past twenty months and claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent citizens as well as the armed forces and the police members, in addition to the deliberate vandalism to public utilities, service facilities and worship houses. When the protest raised banners emphasizing the non-peaceful approach of the religious extremism groups throughout their history, referring to the assassination of former president. Anwar ElSadat and their opposition to the Pharaonic civilization that is celebrated by the world