Canada Calls On Egypt to Lift Emergency Law

Agence France Presse
FM calls on Egypt to lift emergency law

OTTAWA — Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon on Wednesday called on Egypt to lift its decades-old state of emergency, saying a proposed extension will hinder respect for human rights in the country.

"Canada views the ongoing state of emergency as an obstacle to the full respect of human rights and the rule of law in Egypt," Cannon said in a statement."

And so, Canada "regrets" Egypt's announcement of plans to extend the emergency law until May 31, 2012, he said.

"Canada recognizes that Egypt has introduced limits to the application of the emergency law," Cannon added.

"However, Canada believes that Egypt should fully honor its commitment to lift the state of emergency, a pledge it recently reiterated at the Human Rights Council in Geneva."

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