Unknown individuals began shooting randomly into the crowd of protesting textile workers.
(EOHR/IFEX) – 22 July 2012 – The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) expresses great concern over an attack on workers of the Samoli Spinning and Weaving Company during protests held on 21 July 2012.
Following the protest the workers went to the mosque when suddenly unknown individuals started to shoot randomly. Ahmed Hosni, one of the workers, was killed while three others were injured while protesting in front of the company headquarters.
EOHR has been following the protest that has continued for the second week, in front of the Samoli Spinning and Weaving Company in Mahala Kobra, and fully supports the workers’ legal demand whose compensation had been slashed. The workers have been fighting for their civil rights for months and have received nothing but promises, which led them to organising the long sit-in.
EOHR calls upon the Egyptian government to investigate the incident and punish the perpetrators. Mr. Hafez Abu Seada, head of EOHR, stresses the responsibility of the Egyptian government in protecting Egyptian protesters in general and the Egyptian workers in Mahala in particular. According to international human rights standards, citizens should have the right to protest safely.
