EGYPT: Egypt's government-sponsored National Council for Human Rights called yesterday for an investigation into killings during parliamentary elections that ended in December.
The council - headed by former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali - accused security forces of hindering votersand urged a review of banned groups contesting elections.
President Hosni Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party won about three-quarters of the seats in the 454-member parliament. The officially banned but usually tolerated Muslim Brotherhood won an unprecedented 88 seats.
At least 11 people were killed in violent clashes during voting, which took place in three stages over a month.
The council recommended "an immediate investigation into the killing of citizens as a result of violence and clashes that occurred in some districts". It said it had strong concerns about the role of the security forces. Egyptian law demands the separation of religion and politics, and the council said it noted the use of religious slogans during the election.
Council member Hafez Abu Seada said: "If the Muslim Brotherhood became a civic party that allows Christians as members and recognises the authority of parliament they have the right to become a legal party."