Update on Egypt

In Egypt, political unrest, which intensified prior to the constitutional referendum in December 2012, the anniversary in 2013 of Egypt’s 25th January Revolution and the July 2013 change of government, shows little sign of abating. 

Demonstrations have often degenerated into violent clashes between security forces and protesters as well as between protesters supporting different factions, resulting in deaths, injuries and extensive property damage. While most violent protests have occurred in major metropolitan areas, including downtown Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and Port Said, there are recent reports of widespread political and social violence in other areas of Egypt. 

On Nov. 12, the military-backed government in Egypt lifted a 3-month state of emergency but also passed a law tightly controlling street protests. The law requires authorities to be notified in advance of any planned public gathering of more than 10 people for the purpose of protest and specifically bans all demonstrations at places of worship. 

Of continued concern is gender-based violence in and around protest areas, where women have been the targets of sexual assault.

In the Sinai Peninsula, attacks by Islamist militants against government security forces continue. In November, a roadside bomb killed 11 soldiers in a convoy. Police, armed forces and local Bedouin tribes are combating the threat.