Group warns Egypt against ending sit-ins by force

[August 02, 2013]  CAIRO (AP) -- An international human rights group has warned Egypt's new interim leadership against ending sit-ins by loyalists of ousted president by force, saying all measures must be taken to avert a "bloodbath."

The statement by Human Rights Watch came as Mohammed Morsi's followers called for new mass rallies across the country on Friday in defiance of a government order to disband.

Nadim Houry from the New-York-based group says Egyptian authorities need to "avoid another bloodbath" and "ensure the ongoing right of protesters to assemble peacefully."

Egypt's military deposed Morsi on July 3, following days of demonstrations by millions who rallied against him and the rule of his Muslim Brotherhood.

Many say Morsi's one-year rule was rampant with political failures and focused on concentrating power in the hands of his Islamist group.

[Associated Press]

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