Amnesty says Egypt’s army continues Mubarak-era abuse as rulers call for crisis talks

Amnesty International said Egypt’s military rulers have “completely failed” to fulfill their promises to protect human rights and have even committed worse rights abuses than the ousted regime of Hosni Mubarak, as the ruling military council called for crisis talks with the country’s political forces.

Political forces behind the uprising have called for a mass rally on Tuesday to demand that the army cede power to civilian rule as deadly clashes entered its fourth day, plunging Egypt into its worst crisis since Mubarak’s fall.

In a report released early Tuesday, Amnesty accused Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) of adopting oppressive tactics used by the ousted regime of Hosni Mubarak, including targeting critics, banning critical media coverage and torturing protesters, according to The Associated Press.

The military council took control after Mubarak’s fall in February.

The report comes after three days of clashes between security forces and protesters calling for a transition to civilian rule. There was conflicting reports about the number of people killed during the clashes. Reuters put the number at 33 while AFP put it at 26 people killed.

Two people were killed early Tuesday in the Red Sea town of Ismailiya, medics said.

The group called on the military council to repeal the Mubarak-era “emergency laws,” and protect human rights.