Joint statement of condemnation and denunciation from the European Union for Coptic organizations for Human Rights and the Canadian Coptic activists federation.
The European Union for Coptic organizations for Human Rights and the Canadian Coptic activists federation denounce the ruling issued to acquit the three Muslim perpetrators who stripped the seventy-year-old woman, Suad Thabet, known as the lady of Karm, who was stripped naked and paraded in the streets of the village of Karm, despite of the overwhelming evidence, witnesses and videos handed over to the prosecution to convict the defendants.
بيان ادانة واستنكار مشترك من اتحاد المنظمات القبطية فى اوربا
ومنظمة نشطاء اقباط كندا
يدين اتحاد المنظمات القبطية فى اوربا ومنظمة نشطاء اقباط كندا الحكم الصادر بتبرئة الجناة المسلمين الثلاثة الذين عروا السيدة ذات السبعين عاما سعاد ثابت المعروفة بسيدة الكرم التى عريت وسحلت فى شوارع القرية رغم انه هناك شهود اثبات وفيديوهات سلمت للنيابة لادانة المتهمين والتى حكمت المحكمة سابقا برئاسة المستشار اشرف محمد على محمد حسين المنتدب لمحكمة المنيا والذي اصدر الحكم سابقا بالحبس عشرة سنوات وتم الاستئناف وبعد شعور قضاة مصر " الشامخين " بالحرج مرتين واخيرا بعد اربع سنوات من التاجيل والتسويف والمماطلة اصدر المستشار اشرف محمد على محمد حسين حكما بالبراءة وهو نفس القاضي الذى حكم الحكم السابق بعشرة سنوات سجن .
تدين الهيئة القبطية الهولندية وتندد بالحكم الصادر من محكمة جنايات المنيا ببراءة المتهمين بتعرية السيدة سعاد ثابت والمعروفة اعلاميا بسيدة الكرم
هذه الجريمة التي اعترف بها رئيس الجمهورية عبد الفتاح السيسي
ووعد بتطبيق القانون على مرتكبي هذه الجريمة النكراء مهما كان عددهم
الامر الذى يكشف مدى العنصرية والكراهية التي يتعرض لها الاقباط داخل وطنهم من قبل المتطرفين والارهابيين المتغلغلون داخل العديد من اجهزة الدولة بما فيها القضاء
ان هذا الحكم الظالم يعتبر بمثابة خنجر مسموم في ظهر الوحدة الوطنية وينسف بمصداقية ونزاهة القضاء المصرى امام العالم كلة
لذلك تناشد
الهيئة القبطية الهولندية الرئيس عبد الفتاح السيسي بالتدخل شخصيا والعمل على تطبيق القانون وانصاف هذه السيدة
كما سبق ووعد من قبل
وان لزمت الدولة المصرية الصمت السلبي تجاه هذا الحكم القضية فسوف ينتج عن ذلك شرخ عميق في جسد التلاحم الوطني الامر الذى لن تحمد عواقبه فيما بعد
EGYPT: ELDERLY WOMAN ASSAULTED, HOMES DESTROYED IN SECTARIAN VIOLENCE
Seven Coptic families lost their homes and an elderly woman was stripped and beaten during an outbreak of sectarian violence in Upper Egypt on 20 May, according to Church sources.
Violence erupted in Al-Karm Village, El-Minya Province, following rumours of an alleged relationship between a local Christian man and a Muslim woman. The man fled the village after facing significant harassment and his family lodged a complaint at Abu Kourkas Police Station on 19 May after receiving threats indicating they would be attacked the next day.
Egypt: Christian convert facing maltreatment in prison
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has received confirmed reports that Bishoy Armia Boulous, an Egyptian convert to Christianity who is currently serving a prison sentence, is being mistreated in prison.
Bishoy Armia Boulous, formerly known as Mohammed Hegazy, is being held in Tora Prison, Cairo. His lawyer has informed CSW that Mr Boulous is being held in solitary confinement in a cell designated for those awaiting capital punishment. Prison staff are abusing him verbally on account of his religion and are also abusing him physically; including breaking his glasses and making him walk barefoot to hearings in Minya Misdemeanour Court. There are unconfirmed reports that Mr Boulous has begun a hunger strike in protest at his detention and maltreatment.
EGYPT: SIEGE ON COPTIC CATHEDRAL HIGHLIGHTS ESCALATING SECTARIAN VIOLENCE
At least two people were killed and over 90 injured yesterday during a siege on St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral in Abbasiya, Cairo, in the aftermath of a funeral for four Coptic men.Hundreds of mourners had attended the funeral of 25 year-old Morqos Kamel, 35 year-old Victor Saad, 45 year-old Mansour Attia and 25 year-old Essam Tawadros, who died of gunshot wounds during a mob attack on 5 April on the Christian community in Khorous, a suburb 10 miles north of Cairo, following unsubstantiated claims that Christians had daubed offensive imagery on the walls of an Islamic institution.
When the mourners attempted to leave the premises, they were pelted with stones, petrol bombs, and Molotov cocktails, forcing them to seek shelter in the grounds of the Cathedral. As stones and other missiles continued to be hurled from the roofs of surrounding buildings and by people who had climbed the walls of the Cathedral, young Coptic men took up sticks and rocks to retaliate.
Statement by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2014 regarding the need for collaboration to address violations of international religious freedom in Iraq, Syria and the Wider Middle East.
Bishop Angaelos is delivering a keynote address at the In Defence of Christians (IDC) Summit in Washington DC on 10 September 2014 between 1-2pm (BST) 8-9am (EDT).
WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed concern about the Egyptian government’s continued application of blasphemy-like charges that are used to stifle dissent and limit the freedoms of religion and expression.
Bassem Youssef, a well-known Egyptian comedian and satirist, was questioned on Monday April 1, 2013 by Egypt’s Public Prosecution office after being charged with “insulting Islam” on his popular television program. He also was charged with insulting the president and spreading false information aimed at threatening public order. On Wednesday, April 3, Egyptian comedian Ali Qandil was questioned after being charged with “insulting Islam,” based on a February appearance on Mr. Youssef’s program. Both Youssef and Qandil posted bail and were released. These are just two of the most recent examples of a disturbing trend that affects all Egyptians.
From all progressive Human Rights Egyptian organisations in UK
For Immediate release
6/7/2013
On 03/07/2013 The Egyptian people’s will prevailed. They crossed the sea of hatred, ignorance, discrimination and terrorism to emerge at the shores of freedom. Egypt’s tyrant who admittedly started as an elected president; has demonstrated incomparable incompetence, and was also reckless with the national security of the country. He had to be defeated. The people were victorious in their demand to bring down a new dictator. As the Egyptians recommenced their glorious revolution from the Tahrir square, its noble birth place, the army stepped in to protect the country against Morsi’s anti-democratic thugs.
ينطلق فى القاهرة يومى 30و 31 مارس 2013 مؤتمرا حاشدا عن المواطنة والأقليات تحت حكم الاخوان المسلمين.
وصرح السيد مجدى خليل ،مدير منتدى الشرق الأوسط للحريات الذى ينظم المؤتمر،أن هذا المؤتمر هو الاكبر من نوعه فى تاريخ مصر الحديث فى هذا الموضوع، حيث سيشارك فيه بالحضور أو بتقديم أوراق بحثية حوالى 70 سياسى وأكاديمى وباحث متخصص فى الموضوع، وسوف تصدر هذه الابحاث فى مجلدين بالعربية والانجليزية لأستشراف واقع ومستقبل الأقليات تحت الحكم الإسلامى.
Egyptian government must take immediate action to stop incitement to violence against Shi’a
24 June 2013
At least four Shi’a Muslims were killed by a mob in the village of Zawyat Abu Muslam in Giza governorate close to Cairo, on Sunday, including the well-known community figure Hassan Shehata.
“It is absolutely essential for the police to take immediate action to arrest those responsible for the killings. As the killings were carried out in front of a crowd, there were many witnesses”, stated Chris Chapman, Head of Conflict Prevention at Minority Rights Group International (MRG).
According to Egyptian media sources, Salafist Imams have been inciting hatred against Shi’a in the village for the last three weeks.
“There are Egyptian media channels which have been celebrating the killings of Shi’a in Giza governorate. The government must take immediate steps to stop hate speech in the media”, Hafez Abu Seada, Director of the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights, told MRG today.
Whereas it is our moral obligation and co-responsibility to stand up for Christians around the
world, considering our cultural heritage rooted in Judeo-Christian traditions;
Whereas the freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the 1948 Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, whereas this freedom includes right to adopt, freely exerciseor change one
, whereas this freedom includes right to adopt, freely exerciseor change one's belief, and whereas this freedom is subject only to the conscience and is
independent from all outside control, be it governmental or any other natural authority;
Whereas it is estimated that roughly 70 % of the world's population belongs to one of four
Protest against the destruction of Egypt civil structuresAnd it’s replacement by Muslim brotherhood
Ever since the Muslim Brotherhood came to power through their representative Mr Mursi on 30/06/13, they have done nothing but try to increase their power through undermining and destroying Egypt government and society civil structures.
They brutally oppressed the opposition infiltrated the police and tried to destroy the judiciary and the media to replace them with their symathisers.The constitution which was produced by a majority of them is a shameful document that didn’t address the aspirations of the Egyptian people.
During the 5/12/2012 protests against President Mursi, police stood idly by as 49 protesters were illegally detained and tortured By Mursi’s supporters, as the MB’s leader called for more illegal arrests via Muslim Brotherhood’s media sources.
During Mursi’s rule approximately 60 protesters have been killed and thousands injured by the police force during the breaking up of protests. Police have reportedly used rubber and iron shot shell pellets against protesters. No one was tried from either the police force or Morsi’s militias.
Egypt: Renewed calls for justice, equality and human rights on second anniversary of uprising
On the second anniversary of the Egyptian uprising in Tahrir, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) continues to call for the equality of citizenship for all Egyptians, regardless of their religion or beliefs.
Two years ago Egyptians of all creeds and backgrounds joined together to demand equality, justice and the rule of law. In the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Mubarak regime, there was hope for a new Egypt, where the rights of all Egyptians would be respected and upheld.
However repression has continued in the subsequent years, with brutal tactics being employed against pro-democracy protestors by the previous military and by the government of President Morsi in order to enforce the status quo, resulting in the loss of many lives. Most recently, seven people died and hundreds were injured during the widespread protests that took place late last year, following the negative reaction to the new constitution, which restricts freedom of expression and the rights of women and religious minorities.
EGYPT: COPTS ARRESTED FOLLOWING ATTACK ON ST MARK’S CATHEDRAL
Egyptian authorities have arrested four Coptic men who were present in St Mark’s Cathedral when it was attacked last weekend.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) was informed Shadi Sami was arrested at 4 am, while Michael Morcos was arrested at 6 am by Special Forces who stormed the back entrance of his apartment. It appears the men were detained for being in the grounds of St Mark’s Cathedral when it was attacked last Sunday.
Two other Coptic men were also arrested in the early hours of today, according to the Coptic Maspero Youth Union.
The men were amongst hundreds of people who attended Sunday’s funeral at St Mark’s Cathedral for four Coptic men who were killed in sectarian violence last Friday in Khosous, a town 10 miles from Cairo.
As mourners left the funeral, they were pelted with stones, petrol bombs, and Molotov cocktails, forcing them to seek shelter in the grounds of the Cathedral. As stones and other missiles continued to be hurled from the roofs of surrounding buildings and by people who had climbed the walls of the Cathedral, young Coptic men took up sticks and rocks to retaliate.
Two Coptic men were killed during the violence, and 84 were injured, including Michael Morcos, who required sixteen stitches to the head after being hit by a glass bottle. When police eventually arrived at the scene, they fired teargas into the grounds of the Cathedral and didnothing to end the attack, which continued for at least five hours.
Andrew Johnston, Advocacy Director at CSW, said: “These arrests come at a time when the Coptic community in Egypt is still coming to terms with an unprecedented attack on the headquarters of the Coptic Orthodox Church and the violence in Khosous.
Two Copts were killed during the attack on the Cathedral; four more died in Khosous, yet not one of their attackers has been arrested. Such discrepancies in the discharge of justice contribute to impunity, and can only foster more sectarianism.
They also sends a clear message that Christians are not viewed as equal citizens, despite the government’s verbal protestations to the contrary, and the fact that Egypt is party to international covenants that prohibit discrimination.
Being in the Cathedral identifies these men as victims, not perpetrators. CSW therefore urges their immediate release, and calls on the Egyptian authorities to focus instead on apprehending assailants caught on camera as they attacked the Cathedral with stones and guns.”
For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663,
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.
On the eve of the second anniversary of the January 2011 uprising in Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt, His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom issued a statement (via CopticMediaUK.com) commenting on the recent escalation of violence against Christians, and calling for direct intervention by the Government of Egypt, leading to social cohesion, saying:
‘Considering the significant sacrifice that has been presented over the past two years, even leading to the loss of life, it is time for Egypt to emerge out of the pattern of discriminatory practice, and take on its new identity of a promised democracy that the January 2011 uprising sought to establish.’
U.S. Government Advisory Body Concerned by Draft Egyptian Constitution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By USCIRF
The Egyptian Constituent Assembly on November 30 approved a draft constitution that includes problematic provisions limiting freedom of religion or belief for all Egyptians.
“The constitution was drafted without a balanced representation of all the Egyptian constituencies; as a result the religious freedom provisions of the draft constitution are deeply flawed. If approved by referendum, the draft would enshrine into law one group’s view of religion that could severely limit religious freedom for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The draft also would undermine the goals of the January 25, 2011 revolution, which many saw as the first step toward a new day for rights and liberties in Egypt after decades of dictatorship,” said USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett. “The draft text favors an interpretation of one conservative school of Sunni Islam above all others and fails to provide for full conscience protections, for Muslims, non-Muslims, and dissidents. Furthermore, religious communities not considered among the ‘divine’ would be deprived of their religious freedoms.”
Hasty passage of the draft constitution concluded a contentious process. The major Islamic institution in Egypt, Al-Azhar, the Constitutional Court, as well as many liberal, Christian, minority and dissenting representatives abandoned the process, voicing concerns that the process was flawed, the representation not balanced, and the draft not reflective of the principles of freedom. The document is scheduled for a popular referendum on December 15.
يشارك اتحاد المنظمات القبطية فى اوربا مع المنظمة الالمانية لحقوق الانسان " “ IGFM فى بون يوم 12 و 13 من شهر ابريل بحضور عددا من السياسيين فى المانيا من الحزب الحاكم والاحزاب الاخرى فى مؤتمرهم السنوى وسوف يقوم اتحاد المنظمات القبطية بنشر الاعمال الاجرامية من وزارة الداخلية المعضدة من ميلشيات الاخوان ضد الاقباط العزل وضرب الكاترائية المرقسية بالعباسية فى عمل همجى اجرامى لم يسبق حدوثه منذ دخول المسيحية .
وسوف نفضح النظام الارهابى الذى يحاول طمس جرائمة باصدار تعليماتة للمستشفيات المصرية التى يعالج فيها المصابين فى جريمتى الخصوص والكاتدرائية بعدم كتابة اى تقارير طبية او الاحتفاظ باسماء المصابين فيما عدا المستشفى القبطى .
كما اننا نحمل توثيق كامل لجرائم النظام فى الاتحادية وتصفية كل شرفاء الوطن الشهداء مثل جيكا الحسينى محمد الجندى ..... ليطمئن اخواننا المصريين اننا نقف صفا واحدا ضد خفافيش الظلام الفاشيين وتجار الدين عديمى الضمير .
ونتعهد باننا سناخذ الاجراءات القانونية ضد هذا النظام الارهابى .
EGYPT: SIX DIE IN CLASHES FOLLOWING SIT-IN PROTEST AT PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
Six people have been killed and 600 injured in violent clashes following an opposition sit-in outside the presidential palace in Cairo in protest at the controversial draft constitution and a recent decree that granted President Morsi sweeping powers. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is calling on the UK government to raise concerns about both the decree and draft constitution with the Egyptian government as a matter of urgency.
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A message to President Obama and the United States Congress
Why ARE YOU SILENT?
How many Coptic Egyptian Christians have to die before you take action?
What has been described as the Arab Spring has evolved into deadly seasons, especially for the original Christian inhabitants of these lands. The dictators who once ruled these countries are being replaced by militant Islamic regimes that are bent on cleansing their nations from all Christians.Not a day passes in Egypt without Christian homes, businesses and churches burnt to the ground.
Members of the Christian minority are wounded and killed.
It is common for their children to be kidnapped for ransom or for coerced conversion to Islam. In village after village, militant Muslims drive Christians from their homes and businesses, where they have lived for generations.
A recent atrocity in Egypt exemplifies violence unprecedented in modern history. On Sunday April 7, 2013, a funeral service was held at St Mark’s Coptic
MRG urges Egypt to give Constitution drafting process more time
30 November 2012
Minority Rights Group International (MRG) expresses serious concern about Thursday's approval of the Draft Constitution by Egypt's Constituent Assembly.
Egypt's President Morsi has stated that he will now organise a popular referendum to ratify the draft. Roughly a third of the Assembly had resigned over the past months, protesting against the dominance of a political voting bloc promoting an Islamic conception of State and Society.
The members who resigned were predominantly from Liberal or Socialist parties, or belonging to the Coptic Christian Church, as well as representatives of ethnic minorities. Religious and ethnic minorities of Egypt were either never included in the Assembly, or have now withdrawn.
Alistair Burt condemns violence outside Coptic Cathedral in Cairo, and calls on all parties in Egypt to respect freedom of religion.
Reacting to violent clashes that broke out at St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo following a funeral there, Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt said:
I strongly condemn the violent clashes that occurred outside Cairo’s St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral on 7 April, leaving at least one person dead and many others injured. I offer my condolences to the families of the victims, and urge all to show restraint. Freedom of religion and belief is a vital component of a democratic society, and it is important that individuals are able to visit their places of worship safely and peacefully, and that security forces act effectively to protect them. We welcome the news that there will be an investigation into the incident.
Egypt: No to Constitution Establishing Political and Theocratic Tyranny -
Egyptian Rights Groups Reject Draft Constitution
press release
The undersigned human rights organizations express their rejection of the
content and philosophy of the draft constitution proposed by the Constituent
Assembly and scheduled to be voted on in a referendum within the coming month.
The undersigned organizations emphasize that this draft constitution does not
represent the cultural, religious, ethnic, and political diversity of Egyptian
society. Furthermore, this draft constitution fails to uphold the objectives of
the January 25th Revolution and undermines the values of citizenship, equality,
freedom, and human rights.
The Constituent Assembly has turned its back on the January 25th Revolution
and made light of the sacrifices made by thousands of Egyptians to achieve
freedom, social justice, and democratization. In its draft of the constitution,
the Assembly supports the cornerstones of political tyranny by adopting a system
which enshrines massive powers for the presidency, as was the case prior to
January 25, 2011. It also leaves the door wide open to the creation of a
religious state, which poses severe challenges to rights and freedoms.