The Egyptian National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) has expressed its concern over clashes between protesters and security forces at the Cabinet building, condemning violent attacks on protesters.

In a statement released Friday evening, the NCHR underlined the right of protesters to stage peaceful sit-ins, a protected right of free expression and dissent upheld by numerous human rights instruments.

The NCHR also demanded that immediate steps be taken to ascertain who instigated Friday’s clashes against protesters that left eight dead and at least 300 injured. The council also demanded the immediate halt of all vandalism of public and private property.

The NCHR urged all Egyptians to not allow the incidents at thecabinet threaten the democratic transition Egypt is undertaking.