The Maspero Youth Union (MYU) has issued a report in both Arabic and English documenting the attacks against Copts throughout 2011, in the wake of the 25 January Revolution. The report is based on fact-finding reports of Egyptian and international human rights organisations
The Maspero Youth Union (MYU) has issued a report in both Arabic and English documenting the attacks against Copts throughout 2011, in the wake of the 25 January Revolution. The report is based on fact-finding reports of Egyptian and international human rights organisations.
The first part of the report documents attacks against Christian places of worship, churches and monasteries. Part Two includes incidents of sectarian violence which targeted the homes or property of Copts, and the third part cites the outcome of the attacks.
During the past three decades, according to the report, Egypt witnessed 15 major attacks against Copts. In the last ten months alone, however, six violent attacks were waged against Copts and their churches, homes, property, and businesses.
The first incident of violence against Copts after the 25 January Revolution occurred just four days later; on 29 January the Mar-Girgis church in Rafah, Sinai, was attacked, torched, and destroyed. On 9 March, the church and the Copts in Sole, Etfeeh, were attacked; Muqattam Copts were attacked on 8 March; and a Copt in Qena, Upper Egypt, had his ear cut on 20 March by hardline Salafis who claimed to be applying Islamic law against him for unsubstantiated charges. On 30 September, the church in Merinab, Edfu, in Aswan, Upper Egypt, was burnt and destroyed and the village Copts attacked. In all the above incidents, no culprit was caught, let alone brought to justice.
The report goes on to cite two incidents that are now before the courts: the attack against the Copts of Imbaba, Cairo in May; and that against the Copts in Maspero Cairo in October when peaceful Coptic demonstrators were shot to death and crushed under military armoured trucks. Some 24 Copts lost their lives in brutal deaths.
Part Four of the report deals with important recommendations relating to the existence of clear and explicit provisions against discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or colour.
WATANI International
1 April 2012