Libyan Justice Minister Accuses Gadhafi of Personally Ordering Pan Am 103 Bombing Over Lockerbie, Scotland

In an interview with Swedish newspaper Expressen, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, a confidant of Gadhafi's who resigned his post amid this week's anti-government protests and civil strife, said, "I have proof that Gadhafi gave the order about Lockerbie."

Some family members of the victims said the admission vindicated what they had long believed and called on the U.S. government to officially acknowledge that the 1988 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, was state-sponsored terrorism.

"There can no longer be any doubt about the involvement Gadhafi had in murdering American citizens," said Bert Ammerman, whose brother, Tom, died in the attacks. "He ordered the bombing of Flight 103. I challenge President Obama to respond accordingly. There must be justice."

Abdel-Jalil told the paper that Gadhafi ordered Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, a suspected intelligence agent and the only man convicted of the bombing that killed 259 people aboard the plan and another 11 on the ground, to carry out the attack.


"To hide it, [Gadhafi] did everything in his power to get al-Megrahi back from Scotland," Abdel-Jalil told the paper.


Megrahi was released from a Scottish prison in 2009 on compassionate grounds because he had cancer and claimed he had only weeks to live. His release caused an uproar in the West, with some family members of victims accusing the British government of cutting a deal with Libya to secure lucrative oil contracts.


Megrahi returned to Tripoli to a hero's welcome. He is still alive and living in a seaside mansion provided by the government.


U.S. officials have long suspected or known Gadhafi was likely behind the attack, but were unable to accuse a head of state of murder without significant proof and the political will to call for his arrest, said Brad Garrett, a former FBI agent and ABC News consultant.


"At the time of the investigation, FBI agents found substantial evidence that they believed Gadhafi was linked directly to the bombings but never proved it," Garrett said.

The latest accusations by Abdel-Jalil have again raised the ire of some victims' family members, most of whom are Americans.




"Gadhafi has been accused of an act of war on the U.S.," Bert Ammerman said.



"Bush 41 [George H. W. Bush] said in 1989 if there was any evidence of state-sponsored terrorism, he would act militarily. The Obama administration must react to this statement now," he said.



State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said he is "in no position to corroborate" the story Abdel-Jalil told Expressen.

Asked by ABCNews.com whether the information would lead to the United States' officially accusing Gadhafi of state-sponsored terrorism, Crowley said: "You know, that is an interesting story. Beyond that, I can't comment at this point."



ABC News' Kirit Radit contributed to this report.

Demonstration in Solidarity with Libya and all Arab Revolutions

Demonstration in Solidarity with Libya and all Arab Revolutions

Saturday 26th February 3pm,
The Spire, Dublin City Centre

Workers Strikes in King Abdulla Financial Centre in Riyadh

.
Report from Saudi Arabia - a very important development

posted by John Molyneux, 24.02.2011

Workers Strikes in King Abdulla Financial Centre in Riyadh

I went last Thursday to my workplace, and I found out that there were over 3000 workers demanding their rights before they called a general strike in the construction site in Saudi Binladin Group. The workers were very angry, there workplace is one of the largest construction project in the country, which worth SR.100 billion. However, they live in a terrible conditions, one of the workers was telling me how he was living: "I live in a room 4m x 3m with 8 people, and for every 10 people there is only one toilet". Another Egyptian worker was telling me about the working conditions and the restriction of religious freedom: "those are Zionists, they don’t even allow me to pray on time!!", and another worker was speaking about the water at the site, which is infected and full of filth and insects: "the managers wouldn’t even wash their hands with it, but for us we have to drink it because it is the only drinking water at the site". The others talked about the delayed salaries and the unpaid overtime: "can you believe that some of the workers here are paid only 700 riyals a month, and I am paid 1000 riyal, how would we survive??".

They couldn’t continue in the old way, they organized themselves and decided to do a demonstration at the site, to demand their rights immediately. It was the most interesting scene that I have witnessed in my life, when a group of coordinators and security guards tried to persuade them to go back to work the workers replied by smacking their hats on the walls and they shouted we demand "food, money , accommodation – we need to be respected!!", all the managers, for the first time since the start of the project 4 years ago, took the workers seriously.

The police force which had an oppressive role in this socity couldn’t control the workers, when of the police officers told the workers that they need to return to their accommodation and their issue will be solved later, the worker replied by throwing stones at him, and they managed to frighten all the police officers around him. The stones missed the police officer, but unfortunately it did not miss his car! It was the first time in my life I saw a police car smashed in Saudi Arabia.

When several coordinators, sent by thy managers, tried to promise the workers for change, I and several socialist we were pushing for the occupation of the construction site, but that did not work. However, when one of coordinators said: "we will give you a new accommodation with a football pitch", one of the workers replied: "how would we play football after 13 hours of work with an unpaid overtime?!" , then the coordinators promised that every worker will be paid after 5 days, someone replied: "what would we do with todays bread after 5 days, we need it now, we are sick of excuses, a billionaire cannot pay his workers today??!!"

In the end, the owner promised the workers that they will pay them on Saturday – which is after two days – the workers went back, and on Saturday they received an extra SR. 500 on top of their salary and the owners promised them that they will improve their accommodation and they will pay them 100 hour for their overtime each month. The workers started to organized with a sister company which belong to the same owners to start a new wave of strikes in different parts of the construction site. Through this week, there were several strike actions in King Fahad Library and in a construction sites in King Saud University.




24.02.2011

Moammar Gaddafi must pay for atrocities

REPORTS FROM Libya Monday were sketchy and confused, but one conclusion appeared certain: The beleaguered dictatorship of Moammar Gaddafi was waging war against its own people and committing atrocities that demand not just condemnation but action by the outside world. Al-Jazeera reported that warplanes had joined security forces in attacking anti-government demonstrators in the capital, Tripoli; human rights groups said hundreds had been killed in clashes in the country's east. Libya's own delegation to the United Nations described the regime's actions as genocide and asked for international intervention.

The diplomats' appeal was one indication that the Gaddafi regime was on the verge of collapse. Opposition forces were reported to be in control of the second-largest city, Benghazi, and some military units may have switched sides. The whereabouts of Mr. Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya with a cruel and erratic hand since 1969, were unknown. However, his son and presumed heir Seif al-Islam Gaddafi delivered a rambling and chilling speech early Monday in which he warned of civil war and vowed that "we will fight until the last man, the last woman, the last bullet." On Monday, the regime appeared to be carrying out that threat.

Arab rulers in Tunisia, Egypt and Bahrain all employed violence against their popular uprisings. But the actions of the Libyan regime are on a different scale. What is occurring in Tripoli and other cities is not only lethal repression but also crimes against humanity. The United States has used its influence to restrain such violence by allied governments, most recently in Bahrain. Now it should join with its allies in demanding that the Gaddafi regime be held accountable for its crimes.

The first way to do that is a public call for regime change. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that it was "time to stop this unacceptable bloodshed" in Libya; European leaders made similar statements. But the regime's actions demand much more forceful action, including an immediate downgrading of relations and the raising of Libya's case before the U.N. Security Council. The United States and the European Union should make clear that if the regime survives through violence, it will be subject to far-reaching sanctions, including on its oil industry.
Whether or not the Gaddafis remain in power, they should be brought to justice for the bloodshed they have caused. If a new government does not emerge in Libya, the Security Council should request that the International Criminal Court take up the case. Arab authoritarian regimes, and dictatorships around the world, must get the message that they cannot slaughter their own people with impunity.

In Libya, riot police have killed demonstrators, and troops loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi have said they will "fight until the last man standing" to defend his regime.

Joint press release

International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH)
Libyan League for Human Rights (LLH)

Joint press release

Libya - Towards a bloody revolution

http://www.fidh.org/Libya-Towards-a-bloody-revolution



February Friday 18, 2011 - The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Libyan League for Human Rights (LLH) strongly condemn the violent crackdown by security forces against the opponents to the Libyan regime protesting in cities across the country since Tuesday, February 15, 2011 .

This violent repression would have resulted in at least 30 dead and dozens wounded in north-eastern Libya, according to information gathered by human rights organizations. The number of dead and wounded is difficult to confirm as human rights defenders, forced into exile, do have to work from abroad and Libya remains largely closed to foreign media and international human rights organizations.

The "day of anger" on February 17, the anniversary of an earlier event which had caused 12 fatalities in 2006, has resulted in violent confrontations between the regime's opponents, who call for the establishment of a constitution and the rule of law in the country, and security forces which did not hesitate to fire live ammunition.

Militia and groups pro-Gaddafi groups, armed with knives, would have also participated in the repression. The revolutionary committees, pillars of the regime of Muammar Gaddafi have threatened with violent retaliation those who call into question the principles of the Libyan revolution.

In addition, according to reports, the injured would be denied access to hospitals and ambulance transport. Blood transfusions are forbidden to people who took part in demonstrations.

Moreover, hundreds of journalists and political opponents were arbitrarily arrested and detained by the Libyan security forces in the wake of these events.

FIDH and LLH condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force and fear that the situation is getting worse.

FIDH and LLH call on the security forces to immediately stop firing live ammunition against demonstrators. Our organizations urge the Libyan government to release those detained arbitrarily and call upon the authorites to respect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.

Demonstration in support of the Libyan people uprising 17th Feb 2011

Strike Wave in Egypt

posted by John Molyneux, 17 Feb 2011

Egypt: Workers have taken to the stage of history

Hundreds of thousands of workers have taken action over the past week to defend the revolution and demand radical changes in their pay and working conditions.

Bus drivers in Cairo have been on strike since Thursday of last week. Mustafa Mohammed, a driver, said, “We are immersed in debts. We are staying until our demands are met.”

He added that the administration had sent a senior employee to “throw us a bone” with a holiday bonus, but it wasn’t enough.

Workers locked buses in the garages and released a statement declaring “down with Mubarak”. Other public transport workers have joined the strikes.

Railway workers around the capital have blocked the train tracks and held organising meetings on them. On Monday an army officer attempted to persuade the workers to leave. He was surrounded and shouted down, then left.

Sit-in

Meanwhile, in the Giza district of Cairo, hundreds of ambulance drivers protested for better pay and permanent jobs. Some 150 tourism workers demonstrated by Giza’s pyramids, calling for higher pay.

And workers at Masr Menufiya textile factory in Menufiya held a sit-in over wages.

Oil workers were set to strike this week demanding a halt to gas exports to Israel and to impeach minister Sameh Fahmy.

The Independent Syndicate for Real Estate Tax Workers organised a protest in front of the state-loyal Egyptian Trade Union Federation in Cairo, demanding the resignation of head Hussein Megawer, and the federation’s board.

Hundreds of Telecom Egypt workers blocked roads last week demanding higher wages and the resignation of the company’s board. They say their wages have stagnated for more than 20 years.

Some 5,000 post workers protested outside the Egypt Post Authority.

The mostly female workforce at the Egyptian Animal Health Research Centre demonstrated to demand the immediate resignation of the director.

“She’s totally corrupt,” said one worker. “She used the money for studying and preventing avian flu to build personal villas in Cairo and Alexandria.”

Padlocked

In Kafr Al Zayat, doctors joined 1,500 workers at a sit-in at the city’s public hospital.

And workers at Egypt’s largest factory, the Misr Spinning and Weaving textile factory, struck in solidarity with anti‑government protesters and to demand higher wages.

Workers at the factory—which employs 24,000 people in the Nile Delta city of Al-Mahalla al-Kubra—walked out on Thursday of last week, padlocked the buildings and massed in front of the administration offices.

Many of the workers are women. A court ruling raised the minimum wage last year, but workers say they haven’t been paid the new rate.

Strike organiser Faisal Naousha said, “Mubarak’s resignation was one of our main demands. Now that it has happened, we will refocus on our economic demands.”

They suspended the strike on Monday of this week. Faisal says they have gone back to work “for now” but will keep fighting.

Pro-Democracy Activists Turn Attention to Gadhafi - WSJ.com

In the wake of the resignation of Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, online activists are threatening to test one of the Arab world's most repressive regimes: Col. Moammar Gadhafi's Libya.

Expatriate activists and an amorphous group of bloggers and social-network users—it isn't clear how many of them are in Libya—are calling for protests across the oil-rich North African nation on Thursday. They are hoping to draw momentum from the revolts in Egypt and Tunisia and to commemorate two of the grislier events in Col. Gadhafi's nearly 42-year reign.

On Feb. 17, 1987, nine young Libyans were publicly executed after being convicted of plotting to kill Libyan and foreign officials. The executions—some by hanging, some by firing squad—were repeatedly aired on state TV.

Regional Upheaval
Protests Expand Across Arab Nations
Tunisian Influx Taxes Italy
Egypt Talk Eludes China's Web Police
View Interactive
.A succession of rallies and demonstrations, in Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and Algeria have been inspired directly by the popular outpouring of anger that toppled Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. See how these uprisings have progressed.
.On the same day in 2006, Libyan security forces fired on demonstrators outside the Italian consulate in Benghazi, killing more than 10. Protesters had gathered after an Italian minister was seen on TV in a T-shirt emblazoned with a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed.

Libya suffers some of the same ills as its North African neighbors, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria, which also has seen large-scale protests erupt in recent weeks. Col. Gadhafi has ruled for decades with an iron fist, tolerating little political opposition. Unemployment is high and the population is growing fast. Food and other prices soared in 2008, retreated amid the global economic crisis, but are heading higher again.

Amid the regional turmoil, Libya has taken some measures to ease rising prices, reducing duties on some food staples in mid-January. On Sunday, the government-affiliated Tripoli Post reported Libyan authorities released 12 political prisoners late last week, a move interpreted as an attempt to quell political opposition.

Government officials in Tripoli say Libya is insulated from the regional unrest. "We are not suffering from a similar system to Egypt and other Arab states," said Abdulmajeed Eldursi, a government spokesman. He credits what Col. Gadhafi has called Libya's "direct democracy," a loosely defined and frequently changing policy of decentralized, grass-roots governance.

In practice, Col. Gadhafi holds all levers of state power, frequently shuffling and dismissing government ministers.

Libya's small population of about 6.5 million and its massive oil wealth give it more room to manage economic woes. Economic output, estimated by the International Monetary Fund at just under $13,000 per capita, is more than four times Egypt. In recent years, Col. Gadhafi has ordered increased economic liberalization. A few years ago, he created a sovereign wealth fund that has bought up large shares of some of the world's best-known corporations, including banking, energy and media interests.

Theodore Karasik, director of research and development at the Dubai-based Institute for Near East & Gulf Military Analysis, said Libya's population, concentrated in just a handful of urban areas, makes it easier to control. Libya also is benefiting from higher global oil prices, and a rural population that has been largely left to its own devices.

"Libya is a different model to Egypt and Tunisia," he said.

Still, there are signs of worry in Tripoli. Col. Gadhafi chastised protesters in Tunisia when they ousted their long-time leader last month, imploring them to bring back their exiled president. He also lashed out at Wikileaks, accusing foreign powers of using leaked American diplomatic cables to sow instability.

Libya has been dealing recently with its own Wikileaks fallout. Earlier this month, Libya's top oil official denied allegations contained in a U.S. cable released by the group that said he was under pressure to provide $1.2 billion in cash or oil to one of Col. Gadhafi's sons.

"Any wise man has to take certain precautions, this will be the situation in every country in the Middle East, and even in America," said Shokri Ghanem, a former prime minister and the top Libyan oil official mentioned in the Wikileaks cables.

London rallies to back Egypt's revolution

London rallies to back Egypt's revolution



by Siận Ruddick and Tom Walker

Thousands of people took to Trafalgar Square in central London today, Saturday, the day after Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak finally stepped down. People sang, chanted and danced to celebrate the fact that Egypt’s 30-year old dictatorship was over.

Abdullah was in the crowd with his partner and children. He said, "I have been outside the embassy most days since the revolution started. I will now be proud to show my children the country where their parents are from, to show the Tahrir Square and all the other places where the protests happened.

"The Egyptian people have changed their own lives, and the lives of all of us. Today is the day for celebration, but tomorrow the fight goes on for the heart of the country. What the future holds I don't know, but I have faith that the Egyptian people will not give up."

One Syrian activist told the crowd, “Thank you Tunisia, thank you Egypt. You gave us the example and we want to do the same. Syria's dictator says we are not ready for freedom. I say we are ready. We are going to do it.”

The TUC and Amnesty International called the rally.

Trade unionists and campaigners addressed the crowd, including NUJ union president Pete Murray, UCU union general secretary Sally Hunt and the general secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation, David Cockcroft.

He said, “In the last two to three days in Egypt there have been strikes of bus workers, rail workers, and maritime workers on the Suez canal. This is great. I hope Egyptian workers can show leadership around the Arab world.

“Democracy is about the people taking control – that's what we want to see.”

London had erupted with street celebrations on Friday evening, after people heard that Mubarak had gone.

On Edgware Road in west London, the streets were alive with joy. Bus drivers honked their horns and cars flew Egyptian flags as people celebrated on the main road and side streets on Friday night.

Saira, a British Egyptian,said , "Don't ever let anyone say that protesting never achieved anything. Today ordinary people like us changed the world. Of course we have to see what comes next, but tonight we can be glad of this huge event.

“My parents said they thought they would die with Mubarak still in power. I’m so glad they have seen the start of a new Egypt and a new future."

Another woman said, "I trust the army to look after the country for now, but we need elections very soon."

But her friend interrupted saying, "I'm not so sure about the army. In the last few days they tried to stop people from protesting. They did not fight on our side all the time so I hope the people carry on protesting and make Egypt truly free – from Mubarak and all his friends.

London Celebrates fall of Mubarak

Fri 11 Feb 2011
London cheers in solidarity with Egyptian revolution


Demonstrators in support of the Egyptian Revolution take to the streets of London's Edgware Road

All up and down the Edgware Road the protest grew on Friday evening. Cars and buses honked, some with Egyptian flags. Staff and customers poured out of shops, cafes and restaurants to join this utterly jubilant crowd. There were smiles everywhere.

People danced and played drums on top of post boxes and anything else that would hold them. “Bye Bye Mubarak” was one of the favourite chants.

posted by John Molyneux 12 Feb 2011

PROTEST

PROTEST
Thursday 17th February 2011
Libyan Embassy
15 Knightsbridge SW1X 7LY
The British-Libyan Solidarity Campaign is holding public protest outside the Libyan Embassy, Hyde Park Corner tube station
Protest 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm

17th February marks the 5th anniversary of the { intifada } in Benghazi, this year our brothers and sisters in Libya are going out for an uprising against the regime and following the Tunisians and the Egyptians for the end of Gaddafi’s Dictatorship.

We invite you to come to support our struggle for freedom, human rights and justice for the Libyan people.

The protest outside the Libyan Embassy is open to all – Libyans, British, people from all over the world who want to stand up and defend human rights of those living under oppressive regimes. The BLSC calls on the British Government to dissolve the Memorandum of Understanding between Britain and Libya, to demand the freedom of political prisoners held without trial and to demand the end of torture.

We demand the British Government to monitor Gaddafi’s regime and to stop him using violence against the Libyan people, and to respect Geneva Convention on Human Rights.
COME AND JOIN US
FIGHT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM
for the press please contact us on: blsc@hotmail.co.uk

Congratulation to the Egyptian people

Araya Human rights Organization congratulates the Tunisian and the Egyptian people for over throwing dictatorship. They are in euphoria and happiness that people power worked. They can re-assert and correct their image in the world with dignity. Egyptians feel today over the moon getting rid of thirty years of repressive regime. The Youth have ignited politcal change, they went through a roller coaster of dramatic events and they finally conquered fear. Today is their moment and rejuvenation. Indescribable feeling, they feel they are coming back to life again. The people have said their word they made their choice.

We call upon the rest of the Arab world to uprise against dictatorship and participate in similar practice to choose their leader.

STATEMENT FROM the APRIL 6 MOVEMENT in CAIRO

April 6 Movement:

Egypt - Mubarak refuses to resign, a general strike is needed to bring him down!The Egyptian masses thought Mubarak would resign, but he had other plans, Simon Hardy reports on what happened and what comes next

In the afternoon of 10 February the Egyptian Army Supreme Council, which had met without its commander in chief Hosni Mubarak, issued Communique number 1. The communique explained that the army had stepped in in order to safeguard "the people's achievements and demands". Omar Suleiman, the Vice President, was sent to meet Mubarak to relay the discussion and opinions of the generals.

ABC news in the US announced that Mubarak would step down. Leading members of the NDP had said that they "did not think Mubarak would be president by Friday." Thousands surged into Tahrir and took to the streets across the country to be there when they heard the news that they had been waiting for.

Everyone thought he would resign - the mood in tahrir square was phenomenal, celebratory - a feeling of triumph surged through the crowd. But Mubarak had other plans.

Mubarak's speech was an astonishing piece of hypocritical filth. This man who sat atop of the regime which brutalised his people for 30 years, and tried in the last 17 days to destroy the movement any way that it could shed crocodile tears for the people that his police had killed. Over 300 people have died to force him from power, and after cursing the movement and trying to drown them in blood he addresses his speech to the "youth of the nation". These are the youth of the nation who have risen up against him and hate him with a passion - they have nothing in common with him or his regime. They are the future and he is the past, that is why he has fought against them so violently.

He promised a full investigation into anyone involved in persecuting protesters and swore again that he would resign in September, but not before.

During his entire speech he did not offer one serious concession to the people - he did not even withdraw the state of emergency. He proposed the amendment of 6 sections of the constitution, including the most controversial ones of article 76 and 77. He said he would scrap article 179. Article 179 is a relatively new anti terrorism amendment which stipulates "the state will assume responsibility for safeguarding security and public order in the face of the dangers of terrorism", which allows for anti terror suspects to be investigated and arressted without any kind of judicial over view.

The crowd in Tahrir square became enraged when word spread that he was not resigning. People began to wave their shoes in the air, the universal sign of disrespect and contempt in the Arab world, they were lifted up on sticks, held aloft above their heads. Mubarak knows that he cannot step down, if he does so it will give a green light to everyone across the region that dictators can fall under popular pressure.

But now the masses will become enraged. Tomorrow will see millions upon millions of people marching across the country. Masses of workers are due to join the protests. The strikes should not be called off, they need to be extended and co-ordinated into an all out general strike. The strikes should be co-ordinated by democratic councils of the workers, they need to organise the defense of the revolution. It is also important now that the rank and file soldiers be won over to the revolution.

Now the demand for a constituent assembly is crucial. It is not the military or technocrats which should decide the new constitution but a democratic assembly composed of recognished deleates from the people.

Whether Mubarak is working in relative agreement with the army or defying them is not clear. Clearly the army wants to consolidate its influence in the political process. Clearly the miltiary are divided over what to do - still the different factions within the regime do not know what to do. Some within the NPD want Mubarak gone, but Mubarak and his clique want to hold on to power. The army's position is changing, but it is not clear yet what role they will play.

Tomorrow may see a revolution in the country, or a military coup. There will be a reckoning between the people and the army sooner or later. All the world is watching history happen in Egypt tonight!

Egypt: Human rights agenda for change

Index: MDE 12/015/2011

10 February 2011

Egypt: Human rights agenda for change

All Egyptians must be able to participate meaningfully in shaping their future. To that end, Egyptian law and practice must guarantee a level playing field for political participation, and any political transition must be accompanied by full respect for human rights and the necessary legal reforms.

After 30 years of grinding repression and economic deprivation, Egyptians have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers to demand dignity and social justice. Protesters are calling for democratic reform; for the authorities to respect human rights; and for grievances over working and living conditions to be addressed. Any political transition must be accompanied by the dismantling of the machinery of repression and the full realization of people’s economic, social and cultural rights.

In November 1981, Amnesty International wrote to the newly appointed President Mubarak, urging him to break with his predecessor’s record of abuses – mass arrests of people for their conscientiously held beliefs; torture and other ill-treatment; and the imprisonment of individuals for non-violent, banned political activity. Amnesty International has repeated these calls to the Egyptian authorities many times since.

Thirty years on, the patterns of abuse continue. Indeed, abusive laws and practices have been written into the Constitution. Since 1981, a state of emergency has been continuously enforced to repress calls for reform. Critics of the authorities have faced arbitrary arrest and detention, prosecution on trumped-up criminal charges and unfair trials before special and military courts. Thousands of people have been labelled as a threat to security and public order to justify their arbitrary arrest and detention without charge or trial – in some cases for years. Foreign governments who see Egypt as a security partner have done little to condemn such abuses. During the US-led “war on terror”, some even relied on Egypt’s security forces to do their dirty work by sending them detainees who were then tortured to gather “intelligence”.

Egyptians’ demands for their economic, social and cultural rights have also been ignored. Workers have staged many strikes, demonstrations and sit-ins to protest against the rising cost of living, to demand better wages and working conditions, and to assert their right to organize independently. The rights of millions of people living in Egypt’s vast, sprawling and often dangerous informal settlements (slums) have been treated with contempt.

In recent weeks, security forces have continued to use excessive force to disperse demonstrators. They have stood by while demonstrators calling for reform have been attacked by pro-government supporters. The authorities have clamped down on social protests, such as unauthorized strikes by public and private sector workers. Peaceful protests must be allowed. The violence and the crackdown must end.

Amnesty International is calling on Egypt’s foreign partners, including the USA and the European Union, to condemn the ongoing repression, and to fully and unequivocally support demands for meaningful human rights reform.

The Egyptian authorities must initiate immediately a programme of human rights reform. Amnesty International’s ‘Human Rights Agenda for Change’ reflects long standing demands by Egyptian civil society. It is meant as a contribution to the formulation of a programme of reforms. Human rights change must begin now.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IS CALLING ON THE EGYPTIAN AUTHORITIES TO:

End the State of Emergency: STOP arbitrary detENTIONS, torture AND UNfair trials
•Immediately lift the state of emergency and repeal all provisions of the Emergency Law. The state must not arbitrarily detain people, torture them, engage in other reprisals against them, or deny their right to fair trial. In this respect, the authorities should repeal those aspects of Article 179 of the Constitution that give sweeping powers of arrest to the security forces and allow the Egyptian President to bypass ordinary courts and refer people suspected of terrorism to military and special courts.

•Abolish the powers of the security forces to arrest and detain people incommunicado and without judicial oversight.

•Ensure that all detainees are granted access to lawyers of their own choosing, their relatives and any medical treatment that they may require.

•End blanket bans on demonstrations and public gatherings.

•Release immediately and unconditionally all prisoners of conscience – those deprived of their liberty solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of conscience, thought, opinion, expression, association or assembly.

•Enforce court orders for the release of prisoners; detainees held under administrative orders should either be released or charged with a recognizable criminal offence and tried in full conformity with international standards for fair trial and without recourse to the death penalty.

•Abolish trials of civilians before military and emergency courts. Halt immediately all trials of civilians before military courts and either release them or transfer them to civilian courts for fair trial.

•Guarantee an independent judiciary, including by ensuring that judges are not subject to arbitrary disciplinary measures, or have their judicial immunity revoked, for their activities as judges. Ensure that the Supreme Judiciary Council (the body that oversees the nomination, appointment, placement and promotion of judges) can function as an independent body, and that discriminatory restrictions preventing women from serving as judges are removed.

•Immediately make public the draft anti-terrorism law, and ensure transparent and broad-based consultation and review of the draft law, which includes civil society.

Uphold AND DEFENd the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association
•Guarantee that all security forces, including the army, do not use excessive force when policing demonstrations and comply fully with the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.

•Open independent investigations into all cases where the security forces are reported to have used excessive force. Evidence of human rights abuses, including unlawful killings, must not be tampered with or destroyed. Investigations into killings must follow the methods set out in the UN Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions. Ensure that the reports of such investigations are made public, and that those identified as responsible for human rights abuses are brought to justice in fair trials and without recourse to the death penalty.

•Publish and disseminate in a form that is readily accessible to the public the rules and regulations on the use of force by all security forces, including the army.

•Ensure that peaceful protesters are not arbitrarily arrested and detained, or tortured or ill-treated.





•Uphold the right to freedom of expression, including by protecting the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers and through any media; and by refraining from imposing undue restrictions on internet and mobile telecommunications services.

•Repeal or amend, with a view to bringing into conformity with international law, the provisions of the Penal Code that infringe freedom of expression, in particular Articles 80(d), 98bis(b), 98(f), 102, 102bis, 171, 178, 179, 181, 188, 201 and 308, as these allow for the imprisonment of journalists and others for vaguely defined offences, such as harming “national interest” or “social peace”.

•Review Law 84 of 2002 (the Law on Associations) to enable non-governmental organizations to function without impediments such as prior authorization, funding controls and administrative dissolution under Article 42 of the Law.

•End the use of criminal defamation to punish criticism of government officials.

end torture and other ill-treatment
•Publicly condemn torture and other ill-treatment, including by instructing the security forces that these abuses will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

•Ensure that all places of detention are publicly listed and are under the oversight of judicial authorities, including military facilities and those of the State Security Investigations (SSI) department. In this respect, repeal Article 1bis of Law No. 396 of 1956 (the Law on Prison Regulations), which states that people can be held in places of detention specified in this Law as well as in places defined by decree by the Minister of Interior. In practice, this has led to detainees being held in SSI detention centres and military camps, premises that are not open to inspection by the Public Prosecutor or any other judicial authority, as required by Article 42 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and Article 85 of the Law on Prison Regulations.

•End enforced disappearances by immediately disclosing the whereabouts of all those detained, and ensure that all detainees are officially registered and their families and lawyers notified.

•Bring the crime of torture in Egyptian law in conformity with the definition in Article 1(1) of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In particular, explicitly prohibit all forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and make clear that the prohibition is absolute and must not be suspended under any circumstances, including during a state of war or other public emergency.

•Ensure that all allegations of torture or other ill-treatment are investigated promptly, thoroughly and impartially, that officials responsible for such abuses are brought to justice, and that victims receive full reparation. No evidence obtained using torture or other ill-treatment should be used in trials.

•Take all appropriate criminal or administrative measures against officials who fail to comply with safeguards against human rights abuses.

Prioritize the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights
•Ensure, for the whole population, minimum essential levels of economic, social and cultural rights, such as the rights to food, water, sanitation, health care and housing and, where necessary, seek international co-operation and assistance to do so.

•Ensure non-discrimination in access to essential public services, including water, sanitation and healthcare.

•Review national laws and institutions to ensure that effective remedies are available to all victims of violations of economic, social and cultural rights.





Ensure the right to AN adequate standard of living, including housing
•Immediately end all forced evictions and enforce a clear prohibition on forced evictions.

•Ensure that no evictions, including from state-owned land, are carried out until the procedural protections required under international human rights law are in place in national law and adhered to.

•Develop a comprehensive plan, consistent with Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law, to address the inadequate housing conditions leading to threats to life and health of people living in slums.

•Make public the plans for the Cairo 2050 development project, and ensure the active participation of and genuine consultation with the affected communities in developing and implementing the plans.

Uphold the right to work
•Initiate legal and institutional reforms to promote and protect labour rights, including by allowing for workers to organize freely and form independent trade unions.

•Ensure that workers are able to establish in practice trade unions that can represent them, negotiate on their behalf or allow them to bargain collectively, independently of the Egyptian Trade Union Federation and its local affiliates, which since 1957 has been mandated to be the sole trade union structure in the country.

•Set up and enforce a system to ensure a fair minimum wage so that all workers and their families are guaranteed decent living conditions. This is in line with Article 23 of the Egyptian Constitution, which states that a minimum and a maximum wage should be fixed in order to ensure less disparity in income, and with Egypt’s obligations under Article 7 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which stipulates that states must ensure that all workers receive, as a minimum, a fair wage.

•Amend Article 124 of the Penal Code to decriminalize peaceful exercise of the right to strike.

Protect Women’s rights
•Introduce legal provisions to protect women from domestic violence, including marital rape and sexual harassment, in compliance with Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law.

•Implement the February 2010 recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which calls on the Egyptian authorities to take the necessary measures to secure the participation of women in the various phases of the electoral process.

•Comprehensively review existing and proposed legislation on personal status, ensuring that women and men have equal rights to marriage, divorce, the custody of children and inheritance, in line with Egypt’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

•Amend Articles 260-264 of the Penal Code to allow abortion for women and girl survivors of rape and incest, or when a pregnancy poses a grave risk to the health of the woman or girl.

•Amend Law No.126 of 2008 to prohibit female genital mutilation in all cases.

ELIMINATE Discrimination
•Review, amend or abolish all laws that discriminate on the basis of race; colour; religion; ethnicity; birth; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; political or other opinion; national or social origin; property; or other status.

•Change all laws and practices that discriminate against religious or ethnic minorities to ensure that they uphold Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Such laws include Article 98(F) of the Penal Code, which criminalizes the exploitation of religion to “disturb national peace”; Presidential Decree 291/2005, which makes repair or expansion of Christian churches subject to a permit from the regional governor; and Law 263 of 1960, which bans Baha’i activities and does not grant Baha’is legal recognition.

•Ensure that members of religious minorities, including converts, are promptly issued with up-to-date civil documents, including identification papers.

•Undertake measures to prevent sectarian attacks, and promptly and impartially investigate all reports of attacks against members of religious and ethnic minorities.

•End the arrest and prosecution of people for their real or alleged homosexuality and unconditionally release anyone imprisoned solely on the basis of their actual or imputed sexual orientation.

•Decriminalize consensual sexual relations, including by repealing Law 10 of 1961 (the Law on Debauchery) and all other legislation that criminalizes actual or alleged consensual same-sex relations.

End Violations against migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers
•Ensure that the security forces do not use force against people seeking entry to or exit from Egypt, except in strict accordance with international human rights standards, and are instructed that they may not use firearms or other lethal force except when this is strictly necessary to protect their own lives or the lives of others.

•Investigate promptly, thoroughly and impartially all cases in which Egyptian border guards or other security forces have opened fire on people seeking to cross Egypt’s borders with Israel or other countries, to bring to justice those responsible for killings or other excessive use of force, and to provide reparation to those whose rights have been violated.

•Allow asylum-seekers meaningful access to asylum procedures and to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and ensure that individuals who are fleeing persecution are afforded international protection.

Abolish the death penalty
•Impose an immediate moratorium on all executions.

•Commute all death sentences and review the Penal Code in order to reduce the number of capital offences, with a view to working towards abolition of capital punishment.

Co-operate with UN mechanisms
•Implement recommendations by UN treaty bodies and special procedures, and report to the Human Rights Committee, the Committee against Torture and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

•Issue a standing invitation to all UN human rights experts, and facilitate immediately the visits requested by the special procedures, including the Special Rapporteur on torture, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

•Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and implement it in national law. Accede to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and implement it in national law. Accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Ratify the optional protocols to the international covenants on Civil and Political, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

PUBLIC MEETING : THE SIEGE OF GAZA

Public Meeting: The Siege of Gaza - Eyewitness Accounts (ISTG)

posted by John Molyneux 9 Feb 2011

Date(s): 10 Feb 2011

Time(s): 8:00PM

Area: Dublin

Venue: Wynn's Hotel, Abbey Street, D1

This public meeting will feature eyewitness accounts of the illegal and brutal Israeli siege of Gaza, and will also discuss ways forward and how the siege can be challenged.

Speakers:

YOUSEF AL-HELOU: Palestinian freelance journalist based in Gaza, who reports for Press TV. Yousef is travelling directly from Gaza to Ireland for this speaking tour and will talk about daily life on the ground.

EWA JASIEWICZ: An English/Polish member of the the Free Gaza Movement and of the International Solidarity Movement, Ewa was in Gaza during the 'Operation Cast Lead' massacre in 2009. She was also on the Freedom Flotilla that was attacked by Israeli forces last May as it brought aid to Gaza and attempted to break the siege.

Chair:

FINTAN LANE: Coordinator of the Irish Ship to Gaza Campaign which is sending an Irish ship as part of Freedom Flotilla 2 in spring 2011.

Organised by IRISH SHIP TO GAZA - www.irishshiptogaza.org

Statement of Egyptian Socialists

Statement of the Revolutionary Socialists Egypt:

Glory to the martyrs! Victory to the revolution!

What is happening today is the largest popular revolution in the history of our country and of the entire Arab world. The sacrifice of our martyrs has built our revolution and we have broken through all the barriers of fear. We will not back down until the criminal 'leaders' and their criminal system is destroyed.
Mubarak's departure is the first step, not the last step of the revolution
The handover of power to a dictatorship under Omar Suleiman, Ahmed Shafiq and other cronies of Mubarak is the continuation of the same system. Omar Suleiman is a friend of Israel and America, spends most of his time between Washington and Tel Aviv and is a servant who is faithful to their interests. Ahmed Shafik is a close friend of Mubarak and his colleague in the tyranny, oppression and plunder imposed on the Egyptian people.

The country's wealth belongs to the people and must return to it
Over the past three decades this tyrannical regime corrupted the country's largest estates to a small handful of business leaders and foreign companies. 100 families own more than 90% of the country's wealth. They monopolize the wealth of the Egyptian people through policies of privatization, looting of power and the alliance with Capital. They have turned the majority of the Egyptian people to the poor, landless and unemployed.

Factories wrecked and sold dirt cheap must go back to the people

We want the nationalization of companies, land and property looted by this bunch. As long as our resources remain in their hands we will not be able to completely get rid of this system. Economic slavery is the other face of political tyranny. We will not be able to cope with unemployment and achieve a fair minimum wage for a decent living without restoring the wealth of the people from this gang.

We will not accept to be guard dogs of America and Israel

This system does not stand alone. Mubarak, as a dictator was a servant and client directly acting for the sake of the interests of America and Israel. Egypt acted as a colony of America, participated directly in the siege of the Palestinian people, made the Suez Canal and Egyptian airspace freezones for warships and fighter jets that destroyed and killed the Iraqi people and sold gas to Israel, dirt cheap, while stifling the Egyptian people by soring prices. Revolution must restore Egypt's independence, dignity and leadership in the region.

The revolution is a popular revolution
This is not a revolution of the elite, political parties or religious groups. Egypt's youth, students, workers and the poor are the owners of this revolution. In recent days a lot of elites, parties and so-called symbols have begun trying to ride the wave of revolution and hijack it from their rightful owners. The only symbols are the martyrs of our revolution and our young people who have been steadfast in the field. We will not allow them to take control of our revolution and claim that they represent us. We will choose to represent ourselves and represent the martyrs who were killed and their blood paid the price for the salvation of the system.

A people's army is the army that protects the revolution

Everyone asks: "Is the army with the people or against them?". The army is not a single block. The interests of soldiers and junior officers are the same as the interests of the masses. But the senior officers are Mubarak’s men, chosen carefully to protect his regime of corruption, wealth and tyranny. It is an integral part of the system.
This army is no longer the people’s army. This army is not the one which defeated the Zionist enemy in October 73. This army is closely associated with America and Israel. Its role is to protect Israel, not the people. Yes we want to win the soldiers for the revolution. But we must not be fooled by slogans that ‘the army is on our side’. The army will either suppress the demonstrations directly, or restructure the police to play this role.

Form revolutionary councils urgently

This revolution has surpassed our greatest expectations. Nobody expected to see these numbers. Nobody expected that Egyptians would be this brave in the face of the police. Nobody can say that we did not force the dictator to retreat. Nobody can say that a transformation did not happen in Middan el Tahrir.
What we need right now is to push for the socio-economic demands as part of our demands, so that the person sitting in his home knows that we are fighting for their rights. We need to organize ourselves into popular committees which elects its higher councils democratically, and from below. These councils must form a higher council which includes delegates of all the tendencies. We must elect a higher council of people who represent us, and in whom we trust. We call for the formation of popular councils in Middan Tahrir, and in all the cities of Egypt.

Call to Egyptian workers to join the ranks of the revolution
The demonstrations and protests have played a key role in igniting and continuing our revolution. Now we need the workers. They can seal the fate of the regime. Not only by participating in the demonstrations, but by organising a general strike in all the vital industries and large corporations.
The regime can afford to wait out the sit-ins and demonstrations for days and weeks, but it cannot last beyond a few hours if workers use strikes as a weapon. Strike on the railways, on public transport, the airports and large industrial companies! Egyptian Workers! On behalf of the rebellious youth, and on behalf of the blood of our martyrs, join the ranks of the revolution, use your power and victory will be ours!

Glory to the martyrs!
Down with the system!
All power to the people!
Victory to the revolution!

http://www.e-socialists.net/


posted by John Molyneux 9 Feb 2011

GLOBAL DAY FOR EGYPT: DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON

GLOBAL DAY FOR EGYPT: SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY

posted by John Molyneux, Weds 9 Feb 2011

Amnesty International and the TUC have called a demonstration
this Saturday 12 February in Trafalgar Square, 12noon to 2pm, as
part of the global day for Egypt.

Stop the War urges all its supporters to join this demonstration
and to do everything possible to publicise it as widely as
possible.

The situation in Egypt remains critical. The protests are
stronger than ever, not just in Cairo, but across the country.
It's estimated that up to eight million may have joined the
protests. But there are reports of many leading activists being
arrested and Mubarak's strategy is clearly to slowly re-assert
the regime's authority.

An international show of support this Saturday can make a
difference. London is just one of the solidarity protests that
will be taking place worldwide. The need to mobilise the biggest
possible turnout cannot be over stated.

EGYPT: IN SOLIDARITY - IN DEFIANCE
DEMONSTRATE SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY 12-2PM
TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON

DEMONSTRATIONS AND STRIKES ACROSS EGYPT

Demonstrations and strikes across Egypt
Ahram Online, Tuesday 8 Feb 2011

posted by John Molyneux, Weds 9 Feb 2011

Workers, the unemployed and angry all took to the streets Tuesday demanding their rights and the removal of the country's ruling regime

Thousands of Luxor's unemployed and those affected by the impaired tourism sector gathered in front of the Labour Force Authority to register their names and seek compensation and financial aid as designated by the ministry of finance.

Head of the authority Abdraboh Hassan said that its employees have worked from eight in the morning receiving applications and registering them. He added that owners of small businesses, investors and businessmen have the right to apply for compensation as well, though not through the authority.

A large number sought unemployment benefit, many of whom graduates or diploma holders from the classes but were unable to find jobs. Others applicants do not hold regular jobs or have been afflicted by the suspension of tourism.

This comes at a time when most tourism companies and hotels started downsizing plans after suffering severe losses due to the complete absence of tourism in the city.

Labour protests escalated in Suez with textile workers joining in and demonstrating with 2000 others demanding their right to work. Ali Fuad, a worker at the station, said: "We are having a sit-in today to demand our rights, which are in the text of the workers' law, our right to obtain the annual increase in salary which the management refuses to give us so we strike with all the laws that uphold the right of workers."

Mohamed Abdel-Hakam factory, head of the factory syndicate, confirmed workers have continued their sit-in for a third day.

In the city of Suez itself, around 2000 youths demonstrated to demand the chance to work. Amid expectations of growing labour protests in Suez, officials from the local council have attempted to meet the protesters and end the crisis.

In Mahalla, more than 1500 workers of the Abu El-Subaa company in Mahalla demonstrated this morning, cutting the road, demanding their salaries and stating that it is not the first time. The workers have staged repeated sit-ins for two years as they demand their rights and mediation between the workers and the company's owner, Ismail Abu El-Subaa.

More than 2000 workers from the Sigma pharmaceutical company in the city of Quesna have gone on strike demanding higher wages and benefits that have been suspended for years. The workers are also calling for the dismissal of managers who have ill-treated workers.

Around 5000 unemployed youths demonstrated this morning in front of Aswan governorate building, which they tried to storm. The protesters chanted their demand that the governor be dismissed.

In Kom Ombo, around 1000 protesters called for the president, Hosni Mubarak, as security remained absent.

Dozens of liver patients gathered in the governorate of Menoufeya at noon today over the lateness of their vaccinations. They were due to receive their treatment from the Hilal hospital three days ago. Dr. Murhaf El-Mougy, Menoufeya's general director of medical insurance, stated that the governorate was late in receiving the vaccination from its manufacturer. He attributed the delay to the curfew imposed during the demonstrations in Egypt.

In Cairo, more than 1500 public authority for cleaning and beauty workers in demonstrated in front of the authority's head quarters in Dokki. According to a statement by the head of the authority on Egyptian television, their demands include an increase in their monthly wages, to LE1200, and a daily lunch meal. The workers are also demanding for permanent contracts and the dismissal of the authority's president.

And in Menya, thousands demanded the removal of the ruling regime in Egypt and Mubarak's resignation. Amid heavy security, the demonstrators marched towards the governorate building.

In recent days, Menya has witnessed several demonstartions, most of them opposed to the regime. However, demonstrations in favour of Mubarak have been staged.Violence as a result of these protests has lead to 72 people being injured, demonstrators and security personnel, according to Dr Adel Abu Ziad, deputy of the ministry of health in Menya.

Councillor Brid Smith in support of Egyptian struggle

Emergency Motion passed at Dublin City Council 8th February, 2011

This Council declares its total solidarity with the heroic democracy protesters of Egypt, and especially with those currently occupying Tahrir (Liberation) Square. It strongly supports their demands: for the immediate removal of the dictator, Hosni Mubarak, from his office as President; for the repeal of the anti-democratic Emergency Law (which since 1981 has given the notorious State Security Forces the right to detain people without charge or trial); for the dismantling of the whole Mubarak regime of murder torture and corruption; for full freedom of the press and genuine democratic elections. This Council resolves to refuse all collaboration with the illegitimate Mubarak Government or its agents .
This Council also calls upon the Irish Government to; a) end all diplomatic relations with the Mubarak/Suleiman regime until such time as a new democratically elected government is established; b) to make a public statement of its support for the democracy movement; c)to vote accordingly at the United Nations and in the EU Council of Ministers and European Parliament; d) to call publicly for Mubarak to be put on trial at the International Court of Human Rights at the Hague.

- Councillor Brid Smith
People Before Profit Alliance

NOTES
The Mubarak Regime
Mubarak – formerly VP – became President in 1981.Since then he has been “re-elected” four times. In 1987, 1993, and 1999 noone was allowed to run against him. In 2005 (following the Iraq War for ‘democracy’) he came under pressure to allow a contested election . There was one opposition candidate Ayman Nour and the election was blatantly rigged by means of intimidation, bribery and stuffed ballot boxes, plus Nour was then charged with forgery and sentenced to 5 years hard labour.
Inequality and Poverty.
Egypt is a society of severe poverty and growing inequality. The World Bank report of 2007 showed that the Percent of Egyptians officially living in poverty (defined as less than $2 per day) increased from 16.7% to 19.6% (15 million people) between 2000 and 2005. Many millions more survive on only slightly more. Meanwhile Mubarak has acquired an estimated personal fortune of $20 billion and the Sawiris Brothers (owners of Egypt’s lead company Ostracom) official wealthaccording to Forbes Arabia stands at $19 billion. In 2007-8 there were Bread riots in which 15 people died in fights for bread, and demonstrations in the Nile Delta for water called ‘the revolution of the thirsty’.
Torture as State Policy
There is an endemic culture of Torture in Egypt’s jails and police stations. The most horrific abuse and torture is habitually practiced not just against political opponents of the regime but against any Egyptian who is arrested or detained (and under the Emergency Law anyone can be detained without trial or charge). This includes petty criminals – pick pockets, shoplifters etc. Methods of torture that are widespread include beating, sleep deprivation, electric shocks, sexual abuse and humiliation and rape. Many political prisoners have been held for years, in some cases decades, in unspeakable conditions, without trial.
Omar Suleiman whom the USA looks to to ‘manage the transition’ has been, as Head of Intelligence, Mubarak’s right hand man and torturer - in - chief and the key overseer of ‘extraordinary rendition’ for the US(See Donal’s doc). He is completely unacceptable to the democracy movement. One of the main slogans of the movement has been The People Want to Change the Regime– there is a vast banner to this effect in English in Tahrir Sq. Sulieman is a key part of the old regime.

The Muslim Brotherhood
Some Western Governments and commentators are justifying Mubarak hanging on, or qualified support for his regime by reference to the ‘threat’ from the Muslim Brotherhood. It is important to understand therefore that the Brotherhood is not Al Qaeda or any kind of terrorist organisation. It practices a moderate version of Islamism similar to the moderation of western social democracy. It advocates political democracy, free elections and free speech and has participated in the democracy movement. But it is cautious and moderate, not radical. Hence it did not back the original 25 Jan protests which began the Revolution, but was drawn into the movement by pressure from the masses. Hence its negotiation with the government now. The US fears the Brotherhood because it does not support US foreign policy in the region ie the War on Iraq and unconditional support for Israel. – unlike the Mubarak regime.

John Molyneux

In support of the politcal change in Egypt Dublin 31/01/2011