Ahead of announced demonstrations marking a national holiday in Egypt on Sunday, the Secretary-General stresses the importance of peaceful protest, respect for freedom of assembly and commitment to non-violence.  He also expresses his concern at the serious violence today in Cairo.

The Secretary-General continues to underscore the need for political inclusion, full respect for human rights, including of those detained in prison, and the rule of law as the basis for a peaceful, democratic transition.  These are principles to which the Egyptian authorities themselves have committed in the roadmap they have set forth