Human Rights Group Warns: Egypt May Cover-Up Coptic Christian Killings
- Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:00pm by
Billy Hallowell
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CAIRO (The Blaze/AP) — A leading international rights group has warned of a cover-up by the Egyptian military in the investigation of the killing of more than two dozen mostly Coptic Christian demonstrators in the deadliest single incident since the February overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak.
The New-York based Human Rights Watch called Tuesday for the independent investigation of the October 9 deaths of 27 people, mostly Christian, in front of Cairo’s state TV building in the Maspero district along the Nile. Military vehicles were filmed running down protesters:
The group also urged authorities to transfer investigation of the case from military to civilian prosecutors.
“The only hope for justice for the victims is an independent, civilian-led investigation that the army fully cooperates with and cannot control and that leads to the prosecution of those responsible,” the HRW said in a statement.
Egypt’s military council composed of top army generals took power on Feb. 11 when Hosni Mubarak stepped down, ending the country’s 18-day mass uprising. The generals have pledged to eventually yield power to an elected civilian government.
However, activists charge that the military during its time in power has cracked down on discontent in a manner reminiscent of Mubarak. The generals have urged an end to street protests and seem particularly sensitive to any criticism of the army.
The generals have portrayed the October 9 protest and the ensuing bloodshed as the work of provocateurs, thereby shielding the soldiers present from any blame.
The HRW statement reflects fears by activists that an army-controlled investigation may simply back up the official story, and may even seek to make scapegoats of some of the protesters.
Some 28 people were arrested in the aftermath of the killings. Most of the names are of Christians. There have been no reports so far of arrests of soldiers involved in the incident.
“The generals seem to be insisting that they and only they investigate the Maspero violence, which is to ensure that no serious investigation occurs,” said HRW spokesman Joe Stork. “The military has already tried to control the media narrative, and it should not be allowed to cover up what happened on October 9.”
The group also urged an investigation into whether the military manipulated the media and the state television coverage on Oct. 9 which “may have amounted to incitement to violence.”
As protesters marched towards the TV building, state television called on viewers to rush to the army’s rescue, casting the Christians as a mob seeking to undermine unity between the people and the military.
Egypt’s military rulers have signalled since the killings that they might move to address some long-standing Christian grievances.
On Monday, the state media reported, the head of the ruling military council Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi met with Pope Shenouda III and promised to resolve issues related to the construction of churches. Attacks on a newly-repaired church in southern Egypt sparked the Christian protests which turned deadly on Oct. 9.
A pre-20th century law forbids Christians, who are estimated to number 10 percent of the population, from building or repairing churches without receiving special permission from Egypt’s rulers.
This law lies at the root of much tension between the military and Christians, with Egyptian presidents from the 1960s on carefully rationing church-building licenses to gain leverage with the Coptic church.
The Egyptian cabinet said it will issue a new law to regulate construction of churches, a move that would risk antagonizing some conservative Muslims.
But even as they make this overture to the church, Tantawi and his fellow officers have avoided shouldering any blame for the bloodshed of Oct. 9.
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rjeromeh
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 11:35pmThat is not all the Egyptian government has been covering up. Most know the story of Nimrod and the building of the Tower of Babel.Nimrod was the son of Cush (whose father was Ham). Nimrod has a great kingdom in the Land of Shinar, he and his people where the FIRST builders of cities. (Gen 10:8-12)
The people of Shinar built a great structure we know as The Tower of Babel. Many today have been misled to think this is in modern-day Iraq. Long ago what has been given the name “Iraq” did not exist. All of that area back then was ONE land mass.
It was the people of Shinar in Nimrods day that built the Pyramids and the Sphinx and created the hieroglyphs. No Arab (Egyptian) or European can take credit for them. They know this and has been covering this up. Defacement of the Sphinx was purposeful.
Before European and Arab invasion into Africa, a civilization existed and they were Black dark-skinned people. Modern man created the borders. Scripture says that Nimrods father was Cush, the progenitor of the dark-skinned African people. They were the FIRST builders of cities and a Tower. This is what is being covered over.
The building of the Aswan Dam – which backed up the Nile – and created Lake Nasser – which flooded hundreds of miles of land, covering over “evidence” was by design.
It was the descendants of Noah’s son Ham who built the first civilization. There is no way that Whites or Arabs will allow something like this to come to light. A people where already
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 8:34pmThey are back to burning churches and beating Christians…such a Peaceful Religion, Islam is. So tolerant and loving….NOT
Report Post »rjeromeh
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 11:52pmI call it like it is. I am a Disciple of Christ per Christs instructions at John 8:31-32 (Christianity is a man-made word and its establishment was not authorized by God. I do not refer to myself by a man-made title).
Yet, Christianity is hypocritical. Always the first to point a finger at other religions being “violent” yet it you forget about your crimes committed upon the human family. The Spanish Inquisition and The Crusades. It was a so-called “Christian” nation that unleashed two atomic bombs on another nation and somehow you find a way to massage your consciences into thinking that all of this is OK. It is the so-called “Christian” nations who have been the aggressors and invaders into the lands of other people. As invaders, the people of those lands don’t want you in there. Yet, you continue to invade.
It was “Christians” who maintained the American Slave Trade. You seek to wish to insert a European mindset and belief system into the minds of non-European (descent). You call it missionary work, but it is invasion.
You disobey the one you claim to follow. He says “Love your enemies.” Yet, you hate them. He says “Do good to those who hate you.” Yet, you seek to do harm. He says “Turn the other cheek.” You do not even know how to do that.
You are MORE of a hypocrite than those radical elements within Islam. You DIVIDE people spreading an “us verses them” message; something Christ never did.
Blind guides. Your thinking makes you bad repres
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:03pmMay? That is a rhetorical question. Now that the “Arab Spring” is turning into the radical “Sharia Autumn” someone in the press needs to ask the Administration what the plan is when all of North Africa turns into Taliban type states. What a group of incompetents.
Report Post »numbers
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:28pm“Christians being killed? That’s okay. Now, if Muslims were being killed we’d have to send in American troops like we recently did in Africa. And you see, when these dictators like Mubarak and Gaddafi are out it necessarily means that Democracy is in. Don’t be confused by that Sharai Law stuff. Why, we’re going to use some of that in our own courts. Besides, Christians don’t mind dying for their faith, they like it. So, don’t worry about them.” Signed, Obama.
Report Post »Arcangel Michael
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 3:00pmJesus, I trust in You
http://thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplethistory.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AySdEJx50Z0&feature=related
Report Post »kevinthewriter
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 12:39pmAs a christian it’s sickening to think Obama is giving my hard-earned money to these killers!
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 4:07pmGood point. Stop all aid to fundamentalist muslim countries which by definition abuse and withhold civil rights. I would like to see the Democrats fight for abortion and gay marriage in Iran for example. And where are the women’s organizations on this issue.
Report Post »JDubyageegolly
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:51amMy prayers are with my brothers and sisters in Christ over in Egypt, the Coptics. To any who say the so called “Arab Spring” in the Middle East a good thing are surely fooled,(or fed a load of propaganda by the media) this is a resurgence of the radical Islamic fundamentalist movement, namely through the Muslim Brotherhood. As others have stated, all who will not submit to Shariah law in Egypt and other countries like the so called recently “liberated” Libya will suffer the same fate. Sadly going from a secular dictator to an Islamic caliphate dictator… Hello to the new “boss”, same as the old “boss”… At least under the secular dictators the Christians had a better chance of survival.
Report Post »rjeromeh
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 12:11amAll people on this planet are Brothers and Sisters. We all come from the One God. It is “religion” that is teaching people to only view those within there particular religion as a “Brother or Sister.” Christ NEVER taught such a division among people.
Cain hated his Brother Abel. Did this change the FACT that they were Brothers?
Abraham had two sons Isaac and Ishmael.They were Brothers. Isaac the progenitor of the Jews and Ishmael of the Arabs.
Jews and those of Arabic descent (from Noah’s Son Shem) are related. Yet, they hate and kill each other. But it does not change the FACT that they are Brothers.
Today with the creation of “religion” – something God never authorized – men separate themselves “by the NAME of religion” rather than coming together as Brothers under the Creator and One God.
God is not looking at you because you belong to a PARTICULAR religion. He is looking at YOU the PERSON, the INDIVIDUAL to see how you are treating your Brother (as I described who a Brother really is). Are YOU like Cain? You hate your Brother?
Why do you think Christ commanded that his followers to “Love your enemies.” (Matthew 5:44) It was because your Brothers are not just those who love you, but ALSO those who do not. If anyone is not getting this I suggest they read what Christ says about this at Matthew 5:46-47.
Yet, religion – yes, the Church too – has served to blind millions and separate people under the NAME of their religion.
BTW, a church is
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:22amThese Christians are a blight to Islam in Egypt…Christians/Jews are treated by Muslims like this in most countries…and they will also here if allowed to ferment hate in their mosques. Christians in their pulpits-shut the hec up! but Muslims are allowed to spew their evil words against America daily…it is here.
Report Post »boca_chica
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:56amThere may come a time when we will need to follow General Pershing’s ideas( see Pershing in the Phillipines in 1911 fighting Muslims). This is a long history and now they have the same tech we do bought with oil money.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:28amDespite centuries in Egypt and having deep family and business roots, the Coptics need to come to the realization that the Arab Spring was a paradigm shift for the Muslims. Genocide is in the near future, particularily if the Calaphate is created. The smartest thing the Coptics can do is fleeing to Isreal.
Report Post »esv
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 12:23pmsad thing is they can’t. i have a girl in my ministry from egypt. i’ve talked to her about family members wanting to get out. the muslims won’t let them. they want them there so they can make their lives miserable. she actually has some family members who want to stay and be a light in the face of evil. we need to pray for these people.
Report Post »JohnHW
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:08amIt is time for this muslin-trained president to speak out against his brothers. If not, then, as I wrote yesterday, the Christians should, after turning the other cheek (which they did many many many years ago), take out 10 muslins for every Christian killed. Take out 10 mosques for every church burned. A B-2 could do this on one mission – and the muslins would not figure it out.
Report Post »c0mm0nsense
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 8:22amLook at the number of posts here and the number of posts on David Duke. Very Interesting.
Report Post »grudgywoof
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 6:32amare there any Coptics out there who can explain to me why you come over to the US and open beer and cigarette stores that sell drug paraphernalia and synthetic drugs? I have one down the street and they are reading their bibles while selling this stuff. I‘m not against you but as a fellow Christian I don’t understand. I am not casting stones either but it seems to me that’s a problem.
Report Post »TxMadMac
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 6:20amThey meant what they said and said what they meant. The brotherhood wants one religion. You convert or you die. Why is anyone shocked ? This is what obama wanted for them and now they have it. You be the judge. I doubt that he will pay the price politically though. He’ll find a way to lie his way out of it ! This has all been foretold in the bible and you can truly see satan’s hand in all of this and who his players are.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:59amJust another prime example as to the hatred and complete evil Islam is. There is no such thing as a moderate Muslim. Those that say this is not true are ignorant of the Islamic ideology, an apostate Muslim who doesn’t follow all the teachings of Muhammad or a Liar.
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 1:55amWere is Chairman Obama and a NATO boming mission…Protector of the world….
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 1:46amIf you live near ANY City, in any country, you should think about going rural. Sooner rather than later.
Report Post »Prepare
scout n ambush
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 12:59amHuman rights watch is soros so what is he up to and why would muslims coverup the killing of christians.Is soros trying to bring down the egyptian military cause its in his way?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 1:39amThe Copts have existed in Egypt since the Roman times… and their non coversion to Islam is the greatest insult, because they are in their midst. The Copts lived upon Garbage… which the Muslims attempted to Starve them out of existance. So, before Israel… the Copts must be Crushed.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 12:00amNormal Muslim practice throughtout time: You cannot build a Church without permission… be we can burn down and destory a Church, or build a Mosque over it!
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