Press Relase:

UNHCR shocked, saddened over Cairo deaths


Geneva, Friday 30 December 2005

UNHCR expressed deep shock and sadness Friday
over a violent confrontation in Cairo between Egyptian police
and Sudanese protesters that left several people dead and injured.

Up to 2,500 Sudanese had been demonstrating
in Cairo’s Mostafa Mahmoud Park since September 29,
primarily to protest living conditions and to demand that they be resettled
to third countries.
Throughout this period, UNHCR maintained a constant dialogue
and several mediation efforts,
always emphasising that such situations needed to be resolved peacefully.

“I am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events
early today in Cairo,” High Commissioner Antxc3xb3nio Guterres said in Geneva.
“Although we still do not have all of the details
or a clear picture of what transpired,
violence left several people dead and injured.
There is no justification for such violence and loss of life.
This is a terrible tragedy and our condolences go to all the families
of those who died and to the injured.”