By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt-As raids and massacres continue to increase in Egypt, the international community is finally taking a stance against what many have called “blood baths” in Cairo.  In an attempt to remove ex-President Morsi supporters Wednesday morning, 278 people were killed with many more injured.

In light of the escalating death toll, Egypt has declared a month-long state of emergency and issued a 7pm to 6am curfew.  U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that the U.S. opposes the issued state of emergency and Egyptian leaders should do everything to calm matters and avoid death.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest stated, “We have repeatedly called on the Egyptian military and security forces to show restraint and for the government to respect the universal rights of its citizen, just as we’ve urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully.”

Earnest continued, “We also strongly oppose a return to a state of emergency law and call on the government to respect basic human rights such as freedom of peaceful assembly and due process under the law.”

Following Wednesday morning’s killings, other international entities have raised their voices to oppose the increasing deaths in Egypt.  United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has condemned police violence against protestors that have caused hundreds of deaths.

Ban Ki-moon’s spokesman, Martin Nesirky, stated, “In the aftermath of today’s violence, the secretary-general urges all Egyptians to concentrate their efforts on promoting genuinely inclusive reconciliation.”

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, issued a statement saying that “confrontation and violence” are not the proper methods for Egypt to deal with its own citizen and that security forces should be acting with the “utmost restraint.”

Ashton also stated that the future of Egyptian diplomacy depends on “a dialogue among all concerned aimed at overcoming differences in an inclusive process of political reconciliation, with fully empowered civilian government and functioning democratic institutions.”

Other countries have spoken out against Egypt’s use of violence and amassing amounts of death.  Those countries include: Turkey, Qatar, Iran, France, Great Britain, Germany, and the Palestinian movement Hamas.

France’s Foreign Minister issued a statement offering condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the bloodshed while “strongly deploring” all violence that has occurred.  “France calls on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and warns against disproportionate use of force.”

Qatar, a country that strongly supported Morsi, has condemned all attacks by the security forces and urged Egyptian authorities to “refrain from the security option in dealing with peaceful protests, and to preserve the lives of Egyptians at protest sites.”

Despite the calling for restrain and peaceful protests, the U.S has refused to classify the happenings in Egypt as coup, which would have implications for continued U.S. aid flowing to Egypt.  Earnest stated, “We have determined that it is not in the best interest of the United States to make that determination.”

For more information, please see the following: 

Aljazeera – Restraint urged amid Egypt violence – 14 August 2013

CBC News – Egypt violence a ‘serious blow’ to reconciliation, democracy – 14 August 2013

Los Angeles Times – White House calls for restraint in Egypt amid deadly clashes – 14 August 2013

Sky News – Egypt: 278 People Killed In Nationwide Clashes – 14 August 2013