DPA/Cairo
Dozens of Egyptian journalists rallied in Cairo yesterday to demand protection after several colleagues were killed and injured while covering the country’s political unrest.
Led by the head of the independent Press Journalists’ Syndicate, Diaa Rashwan, some protesters wore symbolic white shrouds, inscribed with the slogan: “The journalist’s blood is not cheap.”
Other protesters, with tape on their mouths, held pens and cameras.
The rally at the union’s premises comes three days after two photojournalists were injured while covering clashes near Cairo University between security forces and students backing deposed Islamist president Mohamed Mursi.
Last month, a reporter working for the independent newspaper al-Destour died of gunshot wounds suffered during clashes between security forces and pro-Mursi protesters in eastern Cairo.
Police and Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood traded blame for her death.
Twelve journalists have been killed in Egypt since a 2011 uprising that forced long-standing president Hosny Mubarak to step down, according to rights groups.
The military toppled Mursi in July after mass demonstrations against his one-year rule.
Hundreds of people, mainly Mursi loyalists, were killed in a crackdown on Islamists.
Journalists argue with members and supporters of the Press Syndicate during a protest against the Interior Ministry at the Press Syndicate in Cairo.
