Egyptian authorities are attempting to cover up the deaths of more than two dozen killed in protests marking the 25 January Revolution last weekend, according to an Amnesty International report published Sunday. Security forces are accused of repeatedly using excessive force to disperse demonstrations in the period between 23-26 January, while also failing to intervene in clashes between residents and protesters to stop the violence. "Official investigations ordered into the killings appear aimed at whitewashing mounting evidence of the security forces' ruthless and unlawful actions," Amnesty International said. Prosecutors have threatened eyewitnesses with arrest, and have refused to disclose where the detained protesters were being held, the report stated. Human rights lawyers told Amnesty International that their attempts to represent the detainees or to file complaints for enforced disappearance were blocked. Some detainees were tortured during investigations by intelligence services, lawyers said. According to information in the report, 27 people were killed in protests in the period between 23-26 January. They include at least two women, Sondos Reda Abo Bakr and Shaimaa Al-Sabbagh, as well as a 10-year-old boy, Mina Maher. Some protesters resorted to violence and two members of the security forces were also killed. At least two journalists were detained for their coverage of the protest, and at least 500 demonstrators and bystanders are being held in unofficial detention facilities, the report further detailed. Amnesty demanded that the Egyptian authorities "immediately and unconditionally release all those who are detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression or assembly". It also called on the international community to take "robust action" to address the "mounting death toll and human rights crisis" in Egypt. It has further urged the United States and EU to continue to freeze deliveries of arms and equipment that may aid human rights violations by security forces. Although Egypt is currently facing a security threat where the safety of Egyptians must be ensured, the watchdog contended that the Egyptian authorities cannot do so by trampling on human rights and ignoring their obligations under international law.
