24/11/2011 Bureau
Strasbourg, 24.11.2011 – The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in Edinburgh today, expresses its deep concern at the recent violent crackdown on the legitimate expression of the democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people by the transitional military authorities established in the aftermath of the Egyptian revolution. The Bureau firmly condemns this new wave of bloodshed.
The Bureau acknowledges that the recent demonstrations in Tahrir Square in Cairo are above all a reflection of the ever-growing frustration of the Egyptian people about the intentions of the military authorities to ensure a genuine transition to democratic civilian rule.
The Bureau therefore welcomes the announcement on Tuesday of the imminent establishment of a national unity government, the maintenance of the legislative elections starting as from next Monday, and the holding of presidential elections by the end of July 2012. It also notes the tardy apologies of the military authorities for the casualties incurred during the demonstrations. The Bureau expects the military authorities to honour their commitments and to live up to their duty to the Egyptian people, who have unequivocally expressed their determination to be rid, once and for all, of authoritarian rule.
The Bureau recalls in this context that, in its Resolution 1831 (2011) on “Co-operation between the Council of Europe and the emerging democracies in the Arab World”, adopted just a few weeks ago, the Assembly called on the authorities of Egypt “to create a climate of trust before and during the forthcoming elections” and “to take all adequate measures that these elections be free and fair in order to give appropriate legitimacy to the new institutions”. The Bureau underscores the urgent need to foster a genuine climate of confidence and dialogue throughout the country and calls on the transitional authorities to do their utmost in this regard whilst fully respecting political pluralism.