The Muslim Brotherhood has responded
negatively to a newly ratified United Nations (UN) declaration, which seeks to
end violence against women. They reject the declaration deeming it as
misleading and deceptive and stating that it contradicts the principles of Islam and would
destroy society. The National Council for Women (NCW) has dismissed the
Brotherhood’s statements insisting the declaration advocates for law enforcement
to execute plan to combat violence, while stressing equality in education,
health, and human rights. Further, they state the claims made by the
brotherhood that it violates Sharia are a “misuse of religion, and an attempt
to tarnish the UN’s image in order to quash women’s rights.” Other groups see
the “showdown” between the two groups as a stage due to Egypt signing the
declaration, meaning the ruling party (Brotherhood) signed it, keeping
appearances both internationally and locally.
Is the
Brotherhood feigning a feud with the women’s council? By Dalia Rabie March
25, 2013)
The "Strong Egypt" Party launched an
initiative in January called “Transportation that respects women” in an effort
to alleviate sexual assault and other issues women face while in public. The
microbuses are provided to offer an alternative to public transportation system
that “is failing to provide a basic, respectable method of transport that meet
women’s needs.” In a study conducted in Cairo and Monufiya universities, 68% of
women said they had been subjected to either physical or verbal abuse. Private
taxis are too expensive so many women are happy this new alternative is
available to reduce the risk of harassment. However, some women’s-rights groups
are concerned that it encourages gender discrimination and only treats the
symptom of an overarching problem. ( Women
only: Will a segregated transport system solve or perpetuate a problem? by
Heba Helmy March 27, 2013)
Meanwhile, two years after the revolution, street violence remains high, and the rule of law seems weak.
At least 90 people were injured during
clashes on Friday the 22nd between Muslim Brotherhood supporters and
opponents. The opponents ransacked three of the brotherhood’s offices including
their headquarters in Cairo. The Brotherhood’s spokesman said opponents
attacked women who were holding mother's day commencements. Riot police defended
the headquarters but did not interfere to break up the sides a few blocks away.
The opposition demanded Morsi to be tried for the killings of protestors just
like Mubarak. (Dozens
injured as clashes erupt in Egypt by
Al Jazeera March 22, 2013)
Last week, a new round of clashes erupted
in cities in northern Egypt, and protestors rallied in Cairo in the latest
demonstrations against President Morsi. The clashes in Alexandria occurred between
citizens, those who supported the Muslim Brotherhood, and those who oppose the
group. At another location, anti-government protestors threw stones at offices
that used to be home to the Brotherhood’s office before it was stormed a few
weeks back. This halted train traffic for a few hours. In the Nile River Delta,
protestors and riot police clashed in front of the office of Prosecutor General
Talaat Abdullah. Early this week, Egypt’s prosecutor general issued warrants
for five of Egypt’s most prominent advocates stating they instigated the
violence over the past few months where hundreds have been injured. A few weeks
ago members of the Brotherhood beat activists, including women, who were
spray-painting anti-brotherhood graffiti outside their headquarters. Earlier
this week, Morsi gave a speech calling his opposition thugs and warned foreign
nations that are interfering in their domestic issues. “No one in our
neighborhood wants this nation to stand on its feet. I will cut off any finger
that meddles in Egypt.” (
Protestors
rally in Cairo, clashes erupt in 2 other Egyptian cities in latest wave of
unrest by Mohammed Khalil March 29, 2013)
Despite this tough talk by Morsi about foreign meddling, perhaps Morsi should work on cleaning his own house.
Amnesty International is criticizing the
Egyptian government for failing to protect Coptic Christians, the largest
minority group in the country. There has been a rise in tension in religious
communities and authorities have done little to relieve it. In February a
Muslim woman was reported “missing” and accused a church of converting her to
Christianity. Protest erupted demanding she be returned and the Coptic Christians
leave the community. “Let the Christians die from fear” were common chants that
were paired with anti-Christian leaflets distributed throughout public areas.
After a week of protest and violence (shut down Christian stores and beat
anyone who resisted), on March 25, a large group of Muslim men threw Molotov
cocktails inside a Christian church and set fire the local priest’s car. Muslim
and Christian elders met for a “reconciliation meeting” which agreements to
allow Christian stores to reopen and for the missing woman to be returned by
April 24 were made. Amnesty International state the response is poor and
“reconciliation” should not be a replacement for prosecution of offenders of
sectarian violence.
(Amnesty
Slams Morsy for failing to protect Copts by Egypt Independent March 27,
2013)
Freedom of speech is increasingly restricted in Egypt. A draft that restricts the right to
demonstrate has been approved by the Shura Council. The bill prohibits citizens
from organizing protests that “pose a risk to the nation’s security.” To
enforce this law, the police must approve all demonstrations three days in
advance. All demonstrations must be 200 meters away from all governmental
building. Anyone who violates this law will be sentenced to prison and a hefty
fine. (Shura
Council passes law curbing protest rights Egypt Independent March 26, 2013)
~WMB
