Egyptian activists behind an uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday rejected talks with the ruling military junta, demanding an end to military trials of civilians prior to any dialogue.

The ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took power when Mubarak was ousted in February, had invited 1,000 representatives of youth groups who took part in the January 25 revolt to attend a meeting on Wednesday.

In a statement, 23 pro-democracy groups, coalitions and parties -- including the prominent Coalition of Revolution Youth and April 6 movement -- said they would boycott the meeting.

"We will not accept any dialogue while military trials of civilians are taking place," they said.

They also cited "rights violations by members of the military police" and accused the military council of failing to investigate the claims of abuse.

Such a dialogue cannot take place "while there are laws criminalising demonstrations, strikes and peaceful sit-ins and freedom of expression," the groups said.

They also object to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces ban on criticism of the army in the media.

The military, which has repeatedly assured it was defending the goals of the revolution for political reform, was first idolised by the public for refusing to fire on protesters.

But three months after the revolt, activists are frustrated by the slow pace of democratic change, and have increasingly directed their anger at the ruling military council.

While the revolt achieved its aim of toppling Mubarak, the military retains its absolute and unelected power in Egypt.

Earlier this month, Amnesty International said the continued trial of civilians by military courts raised doubts about its commitment to the rule of law.

"Trials of civilians before military courts violate fundamental requirements of due process and fair trials, and that their continued use raises questions about the Egyptian military's commitment to establish the rule of law in Egypt," the report's summary said.

earlier related report
Egypt army questions journalists, blogger
Cairo, Egypt (AFP) May 31, 2011 - Two Egyptian journalists and a blogger were questioned for three hours on Tuesday by military officials over criticism of the army on a live talk show, they said.

Reem Maged and Nabil Sharafeddine, the two reporters, and prominent blogger and activist Hossam al-Hamalawy were questioned by Adel Morsi, who heads the military justice authority.

Maged told reporters that the questioning did not take place in the framework of an investigation but that the army had sought to "clarify" certain statements on her talk show "Baladna mil Masry."

"They told us we were there to offer clarifications," Hamalawy told AFP by telephone, adding that media pressure and online solidarity calls had contributed in matters not going further.

Shortly after news of their summons hit the Internet on Monday, a Facebook page was created calling for a protest outside the military prosecutor's office during their questioning.

On Tuesday, around 100 people had gathered outside the offices chanting for freedom of expression and against military trials for civilians.

"They asked us to provide all information in our possession on violations committed by the military police," Hamalawy said.

During Maged's programme on the OnTV satellite channel on Thursday, Hamalawy accused military police of rights abuses, saying he had proof of violations committed by named officials.

Sharafeddine was questioned over statements he made on the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on the same channel on Friday.

During the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak, the army was at first idolised as hero of the revolution for not firing on protesters but has since come under criticism for its handling of the transitional phase and for alleged rights violations.

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