News story

Foreign Office Minister on situation in Egypt

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt condemned intimidation and arrest of human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Alistair Burt
• Published: 4 February 2011

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

Speaking today, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt said:

“In the past few days the world has witnessed terrible scenes of violence in Egypt. We are continuing to watch events closely. Any attempt to use violence to break up the peaceful protests would be unacceptable.

There are also ongoing reports about the intimidation and arrest of human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists in Egypt. I unreservedly condemn any such action and call on the Egyptian government to clarify immediately the whereabouts of anyone who may have been detained and for them to be released immediately.”

Published 4 February 2011