The policies of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and the Egyptian government are adding to political tension in Egypt, according to a join statement released by 22 human rights organizations Monday. According to the statement, there is a wide gap between the democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people and the actions undertaken by the SCAF and government. It goes on to say that the current administration appears to only have altered the government cosmetically, sacrificing a few key figures to maintain the regime. The statement said that the SCAF's policies “are disrespectful of the fact that thousands were injured and martyred in a fierce battle to overthrow tyranny, not to change some of its features." It criticized the impasse between the forces of revolution and the Egyptian administration as well as the preservation of the legacy passed down by the Mubarak regime of no negotiation, and repressive legislation in the face of opponents, whether they are political activists, the media, or human rights organizers or civil society activists. The organizations announced their rejection of the reapplication of the Emergency Law, saying it opened the door for its wide use under the pretense of protecting national security and public order. The organizations demanded that the council to end the state of emergency, and decriminalize strikes and sit-ins. It also stressed the need to stop all special trials, including military trials for civilians, and called for the abolition of the Ministry of Information and a cessation to attacks on media and media freedoms. The signatories also called on SCAF to stop the systematic campaign against civil society organizations and institutions. They also demanded the revision of the electoral law, redrawing electoral constituencies, adopting a proportional list system ahead of parliamentary elections, and applying measures to ensure the representation of all groups. The statement also called for a timetable for the transitional period.
