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Washington D.C.—Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) of the House Foreign Affairs Committee today released the following statement on ongoing protests in Egypt and reports of arbitrary detention of protestors and journalists:

“The United States places the highest value on freedom of expression and freedom of the press. We recognize and affirm that Egyptians have the right to protest peacefully and to exercise that right without fear of retribution. Egyptian security services should demonstrate restraint and commitment to the protection of the rights of Egypt’s citizens. We call on the Egyptian government to release all peaceful protestors, journalists, lawyers, and members of civil society.”

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