Norway concerned about increase in arrests and other forms of detention in Egypt

“We are concerned about the increase in arrests and other forms of detention over the last two days. There is reason to believe that some of these are politically motivated. This development is undermining the transitional government’s goal of a political integration process and is putting the prospects of normalisation at risk,” commented Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Norway is following developments in Egypt closely and is concerned about the developments over the last few days. Since the army removed President Morsi from power, Norway has emphasised that the transitional government must ensure that the democratic process is put back on track as soon as possible.

“The further democratic development depends on respect for human rights and for key principles such as freedom of expression, the independence of the courts and the rule of law. The media must be able to operate freely and we cannot accept arbitrary arrests of journalists or the closure of TV stations,” said Mr Eide.

The president of the transitional government, Adly Mansour, has issued a constitutional declaration setting out plans and a timetable for the transition to a civilian government and for democratic development in Egypt. Norway has, right from the start, emphasised that this process must progress rapidly.

“The next days and weeks will show how this process will take form. According to the constitutional declaration, the interim president will have extensive powers in the transitional period. It is therefore important for the sake of democracy that elections are held within a reasonable period of time so that a legitimate civilian government can rapidly be established,” said Mr Eide.