In Sheffield today about 200 people assembled in front of the Town Hall to express their solidarity with the people of the Middle East. Another protest is due at the same place on Friday, 11th February at 17.30. This is NOT an Amnesty International Event but organised by the Sheffield 'Solidarity with the People of the Middle East Committee.
For the latest information on Egypt form Amnesty International go to
http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/egypt
The violent crackdown on protestors demanding change in Egypt continues, with the authorities arresting those reporting on the crisis. We heard the shocking news that two Amnesty staff members were among 30 human rights activists, journalists and others who were detained by the Egyptian security forces.
Thousands of Amnesty supporters took action overnight, calling for the release of activists and journalists detained during a police raid on Thursday. After spending almost two days in custody all 35 have now been released. This is welcome news but we are outraged that they were detained in the first place and remain concerned for other detained activists whose whereabouts we are still trying to establish.
The arrests are part of an unacceptable clampdown on human rights observers and journalists in Egypt in an attempt to stem independent reporting on the uprising and subsequent crackdown. Our staff and others monitoring the situation on the ground must be allowed to do their crucial work and we are demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
