The Guardian ran a commentary today by Jonathan Steele, discussing dissent, government repression in Egypt, and the US fluctuating stands towrds democratization in the Middle East. Steele concluded with a call for slashing US funds to Mubarak’s regime.
Month: June 2006
Zarqawi’s successor
Neither the name Ayyoub al-Masri nor Abu Hamza al-Muhajer rang a bell. But after having a look at Zarqawi’s alleged successor’s photo, Islamist lawyer Montasser al-Zayat suggested to Al-Hayat, that the new head of the militant network in Iraq might be a man by the name Youssef al-Dardeeri, an Islamist from one of the Upper Egyptian provinces, who lived for sometime in el-Zawya el-Hamra neighborhood in Cairo. Continue reading Zarqawi’s successor
UN criticizes crackdown on dissent
The UN human rights body criticized, in a statement, the Egyptian government handling of the pro-democracy demos over the past couple of months. Three UN human rights experts “expressed alarm regarding the excessive use of force displayed against judges, human rights defenders, journalists and civil society in general during their peaceful protests in support of the independence of the judiciary and the two investigated judges.”
The Arabic press release could be found here.
A song for Haditha
An amateur video, apparently made by US marines in Iraq, endorsing the killing of civilians, is being investigated by the US military. The video shows a US marine singing about gunning down members of an Iraqi woman’s family after they confront him with automatic weapons. You can watch the video here.
Solidarity events planned tomorrow
The Liberties’ Committee has called for a stand in solidarity with detained journalists and activists tomorrow Thursday 12 noon, at the Press Syndicate. At 1pm, activists will also assemble in front of the General Prosecutor’s office to demand the release of the detainees.
New report on abuses against journalists
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information has issued a new report today, documenting the abuses against journalists in Egypt during last May.
The Arabic report could be found here, and there’s also an English translation.
Sharqawi’s ordeal continues…
Youth for Change activist, Mohamed el-Sharqawi sent a new letter from Mahkoum Tora Prison, cell no. 1-B, dated 12 June, complaining of medical negligence. The State Security Prosecutor had decided earlier last week to allow him treatment at El-Manyal University Hospital outside prison. Apparently this all turned out to be a farce. Here are excerpts from Sharqawi’s letter: Continue reading Sharqawi’s ordeal continues…
Support fired activist
Pro-democracy activist Ahmad El Droubi is to take legal action against his company, after he was dismissed for his political activism. Droubi had sent a letter of complaint to his management protesting his unfair dismissal, but as of the moment, WorleyParsons Komex has NOT replied. Droubi has joined the ranks of the ever-growing army of unemployed Egyptians.
Please express your solidarity with pro-democracy activist Droubi, and email the following message to his company directors. Continue reading Support fired activist
Please express your solidarity with pro-democracy activist Droubi, and email the following message to his company directors. Continue reading Support fired activist
Anti-globalizatin group calls for release of detainees
The Anti-Globalization Egyptian Group (AGEG) has issued a statement calling for the release of socialist activist Wael Khalil, one of the group’s founders, and the rest of the pro-democracy detainees. Continue reading Anti-globalizatin group calls for release of detainees
Released detainee fired from his job
I received a message from Kefaya activist Ahmad el-Droubi—who was detained by State Security police on April 24, then taken to Tora Prison for 33 days—saying he was fired from his job, as an ecologist with WorleyParsons Komex. The decision, according to Droubi, was taken by the Egyptian manager of the multinational’s office in Cairo.
Here are excerpts from Droubi’s letter sent to the firm’s senior management in London, dated June 8, 2006: Continue reading Released detainee fired from his job
Here are excerpts from Droubi’s letter sent to the firm’s senior management in London, dated June 8, 2006: Continue reading Released detainee fired from his job