HRW blasts Egypt's military rulers

[June 21, 2012]  CAIRO (AP) -- Human Rights Watch says recent moves by Egypt's ruling generals suggest that there will not be a "meaningful" handover of power to civilian rule by July 1, as promised.

The generals who took over from Hosni Mubarak 16 months ago have over the past week given themselves the role of legislator, the right to arrest civilians, control over drafting a new constitution and stripped the next president of many significant powers.

They have also taken several steps to shield the military from civilian oversight.

In a statement issued Thursday, Human Right Watch said the generals created conditions that are "ripe" for further human rights abuses.

The military is blamed for killing protesters, torturing detainees and hauling more than 12,000 civilians for trial before military tribunals since it took power.

[Associated Press]

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