Amnesty critical of Egyptian security

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LONDON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Rights group Amnesty International called on civilian leaders in Egypt to address what it said was a legacy of police and military abuse in the country.

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi is the first leader in the country elected through a democratic vote. He took power during the summer from the Supreme Council of Armed Forces, a military regime that ruled Egypt since the February 2011 revolution.

Amnesty International published reports this week that highlight alleged unlawful killings, torture and other abuses at the hands of the military and police during SCAF's tenure.

The reports alleged that police abuse has been "endemic" since the 2011 revolution. Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director for Middle East and North African programs at Amnesty International, added that soldiers suspected of killing or abusing protesters in Egypt should be put on trial before an independent court.

Amnesty International notes that Morsi set up a committee to investigate reports of police and military abuse of protesters during the period of SCAF rule.

"The different Interior Ministers that headed the police force since last year's uprising have repeatedly announced their commitment to reforming the police and respecting human rights, but so far reforms have merely scratched the surface," Sahraoui said in a statement. "Instead, they have tried to restore emergency-like legislation in the name of restoring security."