Today at dawn, the Egyptian security forces began their operation to clear out protests on Nahda and Rabaa Al-Adawiya squares – two encampments where thousands of anti-coup protesters have been gathering for six weeks. The coordinated operation which had been expected for days began at 6 am when the military and the police used armoured vehicles and helicopters and attacked the largely unarmed protesters with tear gas and live ammunition in an effort to remove the demonstrations.

As of noon today, Alkarama's field researchers in Cairo, reporting from Rabaa field hospital, have documented the death of 107 people killed by the security forces. Our researchers fear that the final death toll will be much higher, particularly as many of those injured in Rabaa Square were reportedly unable to reach medical aid. First aid personnel, media and NGOs attempting today to access the sit-ins were blocked by security forces.

"Unfortunately, the assaults this morning on what have been largely peaceful protests confirms our fears that the current Egyptian administration would disregard their obligation to respect the right to life and to protest peacefully, of their population," said Rachid Mesli, Director of Alkarama's Legal Department. "They should know the international community is no longer willing to overlook these types of violations, and they are liable to be held accountable for the hundreds of deaths already documented".

For more information:

In Cairo – Ahmed Mefreh, +201 155 7373 72 (Arabic)