HRW to Egypt: Stop killing Sinai migrants

NEW YORK, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Egypt should halt its practice of alleged unlawful killings of migrants and asylum seekers near the Egyptian border with Israel, said Human Rights Watch.

Human Rights Watch said it recorded accounts of Egyptian border guards killing at least 33 migrants and wounding several others between July 2007 and October 2009 near the Sinai border with Israel.

Migrants who managed to cross the border to Israel told the rights organization they saw several alleged victims being treated for gunshot wounds in recent weeks.

HRW said Egyptian border guards killed four migrants Wednesday, bringing the total number killed to 12 since May.

"Egypt has every right to manage its borders, but using routine lethal force against unarmed migrants -- and potential asylum seekers -- would be a serious violation of the right to life," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

The group explained that under international law, security personnel may use lethal force only in a life-threatening situation, but noted there was no evidence to suggest that may be the case for Egyptian border guards.

HRW said that while it recognized the volatile security situation in the region, there is no justification for the shooting of unarmed migrants and refugees along the Sinai border.