The activist and former MP Mohamed Abu-Hamed, who has been rallying for what he termed a second revolution on 24 August to correct the path of the first revolution, the fruit of which
The activist and former MP Mohamed Abu-Hamed, who has been rallying for what he termed a second revolution on 24 August to correct the path of the first revolution, the fruit of which was picked in full by the Ikhwan Muslimoun, the Muslim Brothers (MB), has issued a public statement to spell out purpose of the 24 August move.
The statement began by listing the objectives of the second revolution.
First was the rejection of the president’s decision to entitle himself to issue or cancel constitutional declarations without conferring with the people, whether through holding public referenda on the decisions or through consulting with the various political forces in the country.
Second was the rejection of the Ikhwanisation of State institutions.
Third was that the MB group should be legalised as an Egyptian NGO registered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and supervised by the State supervisory boards concerned, according to the law. The objectives of the group, its board, sources of funding, and the activities it is entitled to conduct must all be clearly listed, as in case of all other NGOs. As an NGO, and according to the law governing NGO activity, it should not be allowed to engage in politics whether directly or indirectly. If the MB rejects all efforts to legalise its position according to Egyptian law, the group should be disbanded and its offices, assets and money handed over to the State.
Fourth was that official investigations ought to be conducted with the leaders of the MB and its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), on the sources of their funding, especially following the 25 January 2011 Revolution.
The fifth objective stipulated that the leaders of the MB and the FJP should be questioned on meetings they held with foreign personalities and parties, including the Qatari chief of intelligence, for allowing foreign countries to interfere in Egyptian domestic affairs. This, the statement said, imperils Egyptian national security.
Sixth demanded that investigations should be reopened on the non-Egyptians implicated in the case of foreign funding of Egyptian NGOs last year, who were allowed to leave the country illegally. The role of the MB on that head ought to be disclosed, the statement said.
The seventh objective demanded a reopening of investigations into the forcing open of Egyptian prisons during the January 2011 Revolution, and the consequent escape of MB leading figures and men from Hamas and Hizbullah. Investigations should also reopen on the attacks against the revolutionaries in Tahrir Square during the revolution; the culprits should be found out and their relation to the MB and Hamas should be made public.
Investigations must also reopen on pre-Revolution cases of money laundering and espionage against MB leading figures.
Eighth, the allegations that gasoline products—of which Egypt suffers severe shortages—and subsidised Egyptian goods have been smuggled into Gaza should be investigated. The decision to allow Palestinians into Egypt without regular security checks should also be investigated, since it imperils Egyptian national security and has led to the Rafah attack on Egyptian border guards in which 16 Egyptian guards lost their lives. Those politically and practically responsible should be brought to justice.
Ninth, the cabinet of Hisham Qandil should be dismissed on grounds that it is sectarian and poorly-qualified. A national rescue government should be appointed, based on competence and experience, and away from any political or ideological loyalties.
Tenth, the independence of the judiciary should be defended, the Supreme Constitutional Court and the law governing the judiciary should be beyond tampering with, and the separation of authorities should be rooted in the State system.
Eleventh, the constituent assembly that is currently writing a new constitution for Egypt should be disbanded since it is sectarian and non-representative of the Egyptian nation in its entirety. A new representative assembly should be formed.
The statement cited the site of the rally on 24 and 25 August to be in front of the presidential palace in Heliopolis, Cairo, and the Defence Ministry in Abassiya, Cairo. There will be no gathering in Tahrir Square or in front of the headquarters of the MB as the MB has alleged.
The rally will be entirely peaceful.
WATANI International
18 August 2012