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<p>The UK believes that progress on the economy, democracy and human rights are essential
for security and stability in Egypt. We do not under-estimate the threat Egypt and
the region face from terrorism and violent extremism, and we are committed to deepening
our partnership with Egypt to defeat terrorist violence. But this must be done within
a framework of respect for human rights.</p><p>We urge the Egyptian authorities to
apply the rule of law consistently in line with international standards, and to implement
the rights contained in Egypt’s constitution by protecting the right to freedom of
expression and association. In recent months, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers
have asked the Egyptian authorities to take action to release journalists and political
detainees who remain imprisoned; to review mass judicial decisions; and to remove
restrictions on civil society.</p><p>During the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal
Periodic Review in November 2014, we expressed our concern at the number of detainees
in pre-trial detention; reports of mistreatment or torture; use of mass trials and
trial irregularities; retention of the death penalty; and restrictions on Freedom
of Expression and Freedom of Assembly as well as the decreasing space for civil society
and the media to operate.</p>
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