Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an independent investigation into the detention and death of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.

After collapsing during his trial, the Egyptian President was pronounced dead on Monday. The cause of death was a heart attack, but family and supporters of Morsi have alleged that he was held in solitary confinement with inadequate medical treatment for his diabetes and high blood pressure. Colville indicates that Egypt has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with an obligation to protect individual liberties. Multiple clauses of the Mandela Rules or the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners were also cited to address proper medical care for prisoners.

The hope is that the UN’s call to action will place non-partisan pressure on Egypt to be transparent and accountable as President Morsi’s death is being investigated.