Egypt accused of systematic torture

LONDON - Egypt is guilty of systematic torture of prisoners in breach of its UN commitments, Amnesty International said yesterday, Reuter reports. Amnesty said that while Cairo had signed the United Nations Convention Against Torture more than seven years ago, it had failed to stop its widespread use on political prisoners.

Amnesty suggested torture by security police became commonplace after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. 'Despite hundreds of formal complaints of torture lodged each year by defence lawyers, victims and human rights organisations, the Egyptian government has simply not investigated these allegations promptly and impartially,' the London-based group said in a statement, adding that a UN committee would examine Egypt's record today.