DHAKA: Amnesty International called on Tuesday for an independent investigation into killings by Egyptian security forces as well as torture and violations of the rights to free speech and assembly.

The military’s overthrow of president Mohamed Mursi in July after mass protests against him unleashed an ‘extreme level of political violence’, the London-based group told the United Nations Human Rights Council.

‘Between 14 and 18 August, at least 1,089 people were killed, many due to the use of excessive, grossly disproportionate and unwarranted lethal force by security forces,’ said Peter Splinter, Amnesty representative in Geneva, reports The Straits Times.

Egyptian security forces have also failed to prevent or end a wave of sectarian attacks targeting Coptic Christians, he said, referring to attacks on the minority who make up 10 per cent of its 85 million people.

BDST: 1850 HRS, SEPT 10, 2013
RoR/RK