Egypt rejects 'interference' of European parliament in Judiciary
They said the interim authorities and security forces must ensure the security of all citizens and commit to dialogue and non-violence, and to respect their obligations.
CAIRO
Egypt's Foreign Ministry on Saturday denounced a recent European Parliament resolution on the country's developments, saying the resolution was tantamount to "unacceptable" interference in the work of the Egyptian judiciary.
"The resolution contained clauses that are unacceptable both in form and in content," Foreign Ministry spokesman Badr Abdel-Ati said in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by Anadolu Agency.
"These clauses tackle issues still being examined by the judiciary," he added.
In a Thursday vote, the members of the European Parliament urged all political actors and security forces in Egypt to show the utmost restraint and avoid provocation and further violence.
They said the interim authorities and security forces must ensure the security of all citizens and commit to dialogue and non-violence, and to respect their obligations.
The members of parliament also called for an immediate end to all act of violence, harassment or intimidation against political opponents, journalists, trade unions and civil society representatives.
They went on to say that the interim government must guarantee that these actors, both domestic and international, can operate freely in the country.
Abdel-Ati, however, said that "nobody has the right to comment on issues that are still being examined by the Egyptian judiciary," describing the Egyptian judiciary as "independent" and "honest".
He said the resolution of the European Parliament puts people who make violence and terrorism on an equal footing with policemen and state institutions that seek to preserve public order and usher in security for citizens.
The spokesman, however, noted that the resolution has some positive clauses, particularly repeated condemnations of violence and terrorism that targets policemen, churches and public properties in Egypt.
By Hazem Badr
englishnews@aa.com.tr
