Around 90 demonstrators were arrested in the Egyptian capital for participating in protests against a 29 year state of emergency imposed by the government. The state of emergency allows protests to be stopped, curbs freedom of expression and removes other Human Rights.
Main gathering points in the capital, Cairo, had high numbers of security forces deployed, as did a number of universities. The numbers participating, or those trying to participate, in the protests is unclear. Many demonstrators were beaten and kicked as the tried to converge on Cairo's Tahrir Square. Reports say that plain clothes security forces beat protestors with sticks, whilst other were threatened with knives. Many people were arrested as they sought to travel to Cairo from Alexandria's train station.
The authorities prevented journalists from reporting on the protests, including the confiscation of their equipment. Journalists from Al-Jazeera, Egyptian Dream TV, al-Karama newspaper and a photographer from al-Masry al-Youm newspaper were affected by the media blackout.
Amnesty International condemned the crackdown on the peaceful protests, saying "This intimidation of opposition activists and government critics must end immediately...The Egyptian authorities should demonstrate their commitment to human rights by allowing and protecting peaceful protests."
The protests follow a 29 year period of human rights abuses, including torture and ill-treatment in detention, detention without trial and the use of unfair legal proceedings.
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