Egypt: UN's Concern Over Brotherhood Arrests

As more protests are threatened, the UN demands an end to the house arrests that have seen ousted leader Mohamed Morsi detained.

 

The United Nations' human rights chief has expressed concern at the arrest of key members of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, as supporters of the country's ousted president called for a further wave of protests.

Navi Pillay said there should be "no more violence, no arbitrary detention, no illegal acts of retribution" following the military intervention that forced Mohamed Morsi from office.

Mohamed Morsi is said to be under house arrest

Mr Morsi is believed to have been placed under house arrest since Egypt's top judge, Adli Mansour, was sworn in as interim president.

At least four of his aides and advisers are also being held.

Ms Pillay's message came as the Egyptian army positioned its tanks and troops outside the presidential palace in Cairo, blocking access to protesters.

Meanwhile, thousands of pro-Morsi campaigners continued their sit-in at the entrance to Cairo's Rabea al Adaweya mosque.

The Muslim Brotherhood and its allies called for protesters to take to the streets on the Muslim day of prayer for what it described as a "Friday of Rage".

Egyptians are braced for more violence, although Muslim Brotherhood officials have urged their followers to keep their protests peaceful.

Sky's Andrew Wilson, in Cairo, said: "Everyone's trying to read the signals and figure out what's most likely to happen next, and they're hoping for some sort of resolution.

The military keeps guard near the Rabea al Adaweya mosque square

"One thing we will not see this time round, as we might have seen during some parts of the original Arab Spring, is two sides clashing.

"The protesters in Tahrir Square - this so-called coalition or rebellion - all agreed on one point and one point only. They wanted Mr Morsi out and they've won. They have no interest whatsoever in getting involved in clashes in the streets.

"Two-and-a-half years ago, it was pro-Hosni Mubarak supporters fighting with anti-Mubarak campaigners, clashing with the army in the middle.

A supporter of Mohamed Morsi holds a poster of the ousted president

"The army has delivered what half the population wants and now only has the job of policing the other half."

Meanwhile, Ms Pillay called on authorities to investigate the "appalling" rise in sexual violence against women.

It comes after a number of women told Human Rights Watch they had been assaulted in Tahrir Square.
The charity said some women had been beaten with metal chairs, chains and sticks, while others were attacked with knives.