Report details violent crackdown on student protesters

The week from 9-14 November was the most violent and dangerous for Egyptian universities since the 25 January Revolution, leading to dozens of injuries and arrests, according to a new report by the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression or AFTE, writes Aaron T Rose for Daily News Egypt.

The report by the Egyptian non-profit group detailed the violent clashes between students and police that rocked campuses in Zagazig, Mansoura and Assiut. It also described administrative action taken against student protesters at Cairo University, Al-Azhar University, University of Damietta, Zagazig University and Mansoura University. According to the AFTE, police entered universities in Mansoura and Zagazig accompanied by men in civilian clothes, and used tear gas and birdshot to assault students protesting in support of deposed president Mohamed Morsi.

“AFTE believes that the current phase taking place in the universities is the worst since 25 January 2011,” read the report. “It is the most dangerous in terms of the threat to the freedom of students and the independence of universities. In addition to threatening the lives of the students themselves, the current period is also a threat to the educational process.”
Full report on the Daily News Egypt site