The Charade is Over
A GOOD PIECE
by ESAM AL-AMIN
CounterPunch
".......Meanwhile, the MB’s candidate in the runoff, Dr. Mursi, announced that if he were elected president, he would form an independent investigative commission headed by a senior judge with impeccable credentials in order to gather evidence and retry Mubarak and his cronies. On the other hand, most Egyptian groups in support of the revolution see the imminent dangers that would result in a fulool comeback. They have announced their support for a presidential team to consist of the MB’s Mursi as president, and Dr. Abdelmoneim Abol Fotouh and Hamdein Sabahi, the runner-ups in the first round, as vice presidents. There have also been strong calls to have Dr. Mohammad Elbaradei, the former head of the UN Atomic Agency included in this team and serve as Prime Minister.
The three candidates representing different constituencies within the revolutionary groups (Mursi, Sabahi, and Abol Fotouh) received more than 15 million votes in the first round or about 65 percent of the total votes cast. It’s now up to the MB to rise to the challenge and unite all pro-revolution Egyptians. If such a presidential slate can be formed, it would be next to impossible for the fulool candidate to win. Only through such unity and a firm determination to overcome the petty differences -compared to what is at stake- can the Egyptians claim back their popular revolt. One of the most remarkable and peaceful revolutions in the history of the world."
Monday, June 4, 2012
Mubarak Sentenced to Life Term in Egypt, But Protests Erupt as Sons, Aides Avoid Convictions
Democracy Now!
"Protests have erupted across Egypt following the sentencing of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and other former regime officials. On Saturday, an Egyptian court gave Mubarak and his former interior minister, Habib al-Adly, life in prison for failing to stop the killing of unarmed demonstrators during the protests that ended Mubarak’s nearly 30-year rule. However, the court dismissed corruption charges against Mubarak and his sons, Alaa and Gamal, on technical grounds. The court also acquitted six former police chiefs for their roles during the uprising when 840 protesters were killed and more than 6,000 injured. No one was found guilty of actually ordering the killing of protesters. The verdicts sparked demonstrations across the country, with tens of thousands rallying in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and in other cities. We go to Cairo to speak with Heba Morayef, a Middle East and North Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch who closely monitored the Mubarark trial....."
"Protests have erupted across Egypt following the sentencing of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and other former regime officials. On Saturday, an Egyptian court gave Mubarak and his former interior minister, Habib al-Adly, life in prison for failing to stop the killing of unarmed demonstrators during the protests that ended Mubarak’s nearly 30-year rule. However, the court dismissed corruption charges against Mubarak and his sons, Alaa and Gamal, on technical grounds. The court also acquitted six former police chiefs for their roles during the uprising when 840 protesters were killed and more than 6,000 injured. No one was found guilty of actually ordering the killing of protesters. The verdicts sparked demonstrations across the country, with tens of thousands rallying in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and in other cities. We go to Cairo to speak with Heba Morayef, a Middle East and North Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch who closely monitored the Mubarark trial....."
Norman Finkelstein: Waning Jewish-American Support for Israel Boosts Chances for Middle East Peace
Democracy Now!
"Well over a year into the Arab Spring, the author and scholar Norman Finkelstein argues that there is a new, albeit quieter awakening happening here in the United States that could provide a major boost to the winds of change in the Middle East. In his new book, "Knowing Too Much: Why the American Jewish Romance with Israel is Coming to an End," Finkelstein contends that American Jewish support for the Israeli government is undergoing a major shift. After decades of staunch backing for Israel that began with the 1967 war through the 1982 invasion of Lebanon, to the repression of two Palestinian intifadas, Finkelstein says that a new generation of American Jews are no longer adopting reflexive support for the state that speaks in their name. With this shift in American Jewish opinion, Finkelstein sees a new opportunity for achieving a just Middle East peace......"
"Well over a year into the Arab Spring, the author and scholar Norman Finkelstein argues that there is a new, albeit quieter awakening happening here in the United States that could provide a major boost to the winds of change in the Middle East. In his new book, "Knowing Too Much: Why the American Jewish Romance with Israel is Coming to an End," Finkelstein contends that American Jewish support for the Israeli government is undergoing a major shift. After decades of staunch backing for Israel that began with the 1967 war through the 1982 invasion of Lebanon, to the repression of two Palestinian intifadas, Finkelstein says that a new generation of American Jews are no longer adopting reflexive support for the state that speaks in their name. With this shift in American Jewish opinion, Finkelstein sees a new opportunity for achieving a just Middle East peace......"
Al-Jazeera Video: Inside Story - Have Egyptians been denied full justice?
"Egyptians have returned to Tahrir Square a day after Hosni Mubarak, the former president, was sentenced to life in prison for not doing enough to stop the killing of almost 1,000 protesters during last year's revolution. Many protesters feel those who died and their families have been denied justice. What does this mean for Egyptians? Guests: Abdul Mawgoud Dardery, Abdallah Al-Ashaal, Shadi Hamid."
Schools Plant Seeds of Sectarianism
By Mona Alami
"BEIRUT - Though most Lebanese take great pride in their national education system, deep sectarian rifts in public schools have made it impossible to ignore the political and religious fragmentation of society or its long-term impacts on youth....."
"BEIRUT - Though most Lebanese take great pride in their national education system, deep sectarian rifts in public schools have made it impossible to ignore the political and religious fragmentation of society or its long-term impacts on youth....."
Iranophobia and Obama the cyber-warrior
By Kaveh L Afrasiabi
Asia Times
"News that United States President Barack Obama orchestrated the Stuxnet cyber-attack on Iran's nuclear facilities while offering an olive branch exposes his imperialist tendencies. The revelation adds to insecurities engendered by the recent Flame virus, and is fueling the belief in Tehran that rampant Iranophobia makes diplomatic engagement a futile exercise...."
Isolate Syria’s Arms Suppliers
Russian Arms Exporter Rosoboronexport Risks Complicity in Grave Abuses
Human Rights Watch
June 3, 2012
"(New York) – Governments and companies around the world should stop signing new contracts with arms suppliers such as the Russian firm Rosoboronexport that are providing weapons to the Syrian government. In light of compelling evidence that the Syrian army is responsible for crimes against humanity against Syria’s people, the Russian state-owned arms trading company’s continued dealings with Syria place the company at risk of complicity in these crimes, Human Rights Watch warned in a letter to the company made public today.
Under international law, providing weapons to Syria while crimes against humanity are being committed may translate into assisting in the commission of those crimes. Any arms supplier could bear potential criminal liability as an accessory to those crimes and could face prosecution, Human Rights Watch said. Rosoboronexport is widely reported to be Syria’s main weapons supplier, but all other suppliers of arms to Syria should be subject to the same scrutiny, Human Rights Watch said.
“Rosoboronexport’s clients should distance themselves from the company until it stops selling arms to Syria,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “The bottom line is that no one should do new business with any company that may be an accomplice to crimes against humanity.”......"
Human Rights Watch
June 3, 2012
"(New York) – Governments and companies around the world should stop signing new contracts with arms suppliers such as the Russian firm Rosoboronexport that are providing weapons to the Syrian government. In light of compelling evidence that the Syrian army is responsible for crimes against humanity against Syria’s people, the Russian state-owned arms trading company’s continued dealings with Syria place the company at risk of complicity in these crimes, Human Rights Watch warned in a letter to the company made public today.
Under international law, providing weapons to Syria while crimes against humanity are being committed may translate into assisting in the commission of those crimes. Any arms supplier could bear potential criminal liability as an accessory to those crimes and could face prosecution, Human Rights Watch said. Rosoboronexport is widely reported to be Syria’s main weapons supplier, but all other suppliers of arms to Syria should be subject to the same scrutiny, Human Rights Watch said.
“Rosoboronexport’s clients should distance themselves from the company until it stops selling arms to Syria,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “The bottom line is that no one should do new business with any company that may be an accomplice to crimes against humanity.”......"
أكل الميتة ولحم الخنزير
أكل الميتة ولحم الخنزير
عبد الحليم قنديل
"بالطبع، لايريد كاتب السطور أن تنتهي رئاسة مصر للفريق أحمد شفيق، حتى لو كان الثمن هو التصويت لمحمد مرسي مرشح قيادة الإخوان في جولة الإعادة، التصويت لمرسي اضطرارا لا اختيارا، وعلى طريقة أكل الميتة ولحم الخنزير .
والسبب ظاهر جدا، فصعود أحمد شفيق ـ لاقدر الله ـ إلى كرسي الرئاسة كارثة سياسية وروحية، ويعني هزيمة رمزية كاملة للثورة، ووضع مصر على كف عفريت، وزعزعة الأمن على الفور، وتوريط الجيش في حرب مع الشعب، فالخلاف مع شفيق خلاف جنائي وليس سياسيا فقط، بينه وبين الثورة وأهلها بحور من الدم، وذهابه إلى قصر الرئاسة ـ لاقدر الله ـ يعني عودة مبارك 'مثله الأعلى' إلى الحكم .
وقد لايكون شخص مرسي أفضل من شخص شفيق، فكلاهما الأسوأ بامتياز، لكن الخلاف مع مرسي يظل سياسيا، ويعكس الخلاف مع قيادة الإخوان ومكتب إرشادها، وليس الخلاف مع عضوية وقواعد وجمهور الإخوان، فهؤلاء الأخيرون بمئات الآلاف، وفيهم كثير من خيرة شباب مصر وشاباتها، وهم جزء لا يتجزأ من الحركة الوطنية المصرية، والتحقوا بالثورة متأخرين بسبب خطايا قيادتهم المساومة، لكنهم قدموا تضحيات هائلة مع شباب الثورة، وتعرضوا لخذلان قيادتهم التي دخلت فى مساومات وصفقات رذيلة مع المجلس العسكري، وتنكرت لأولوية الثورة وشرعيتها، وسعت إلى المغانم على حساب الذين دفعوا المغارم، ورفضت كل مطالب كنس النظام القديم، وأعاقت ـ بأكثريتها البرلمانية ـ تشريع قوانين جدية لمصادرة الأموال المنهوبة، وتفعيل قانون محاكمة مبارك وعصابته بتهمة الخيانة العظمى، وتباطأت في إصدار تشريع شامل لعزل جماعة مبارك سياسيا، ثم تذكرت قصة العزل في أوان متأخر، وأصدرت تشريع 'عزل انتقائي' بدا محدودا جدا، وتظاهر المجلس العسكري بالموافقة والتصديق عليه، ثم ترك الباقي للجنة الانتخابات الرئاسية التي أوقفت تطبيقه، وسمحت بترشح شفيق بعد ساعات من استبعاده، ودون أن يصدر عن برلمان الإخوان أى رد فعل يدافع به عن تشريع أصدره، وكأن هناك اتفاقا ضمنيا على فتح الطريق لشفيق مرشح عائلة مبارك والمجلس العسكري، وبدعوى 'حصانة' لجنة الانتخابات وقراراتها، وتحريم الطعن على قراراتها أو التقاضي عليها، وهو التحريم الذي صاغه المجلس العسكري في الإعلان الدستوري، ورفضته كل القوى الحية في مصر، لكن المجلس العسكري استقوى بالإخوان والسلفيين في إقراره وإنفاذه، وهو ما يبرز مسؤولية قيادة الإخوان ودورها في ترشح شفيق، وخوضه لجولة الإعادة مع مرشحهم محمد مرسي، وعلى أمل أن يثبتوا للمجلس العسكري أنهم أكثر جدوى وضمانا لراحته من شفيق شخصيا .
هكذا تبدو جولة الإعادة الرئاسية بين قرينين، أحدهما ـ شفيق ـ بذقن حليق كما تقضي التقاليد العسكرية، والآخر ـ مرسي ـ بلحية كثيفة منتظمة كما تقضي التقاليد الإخوانية، وربما لو حلق مرسي ذقنه لوجدنا تحتها وجه شفيق، فكلاهما أسوأ من الآخر، كلاهما مخجل حقا، وبلا مؤهلات شخصية قيادية تذكر، وهذا هو المأزق الذى ينحشر فيه المصريون الآن، وقد يقال لك أنها نتائج إنتخابات الجولة الرئاسية الأولى، وهذا صحيح شكلا، لكنه فارغ تماما من المضمون، ومخالف لأبسط بديهيات القانون، فلم يكن من حق شفيق أن يترشح من الأصل، فقانون العزل السياسي قائم ومصدق عليه، وهو يحظر ترشح شخصيات بينها شفيق، إذ يحظر ـ وعلى مدى عشر سنوات ـ ترشح كل من شغلوا مناصب رؤساء الوزارات في عشرية مبارك الأخيرة، وقد كان شفيق آخر رئيس وزراء لمبارك، وخلعته الثورة كما خلعت مبارك، وسماح لجنة الانتخابات الرئاسية بترشحه بلطجة ودهس للقانون، وكذلك السماح بدخوله جولة الإعادة، ولو أن القانون جرى تطبيقه كما هو مفترض في أي ممارسة ديمقراطية، وخاصة أن القانون صدر عن برلمان منتخب، لو أن القانون جرى تطبيقه لكنا في موقف مختلف تماما، ولم يكن المصريون ليكونوا في وضع الاختيار بين الأسوأ 'الفلولي' والأسوأ الإخواني، وبحسب نتائج الجولة الأولى من الانتخابات الرئاسية، كانت الإعادة ـ القانونية الشرعية ـ ستجرى بين محمد مرسي وحمدين صباحي، والأخير هو 'الحصان الأسود' في الانتخابات كلها، والفائز الأول بأصوات جمهور الثورة ومدنها الكبرى، ولو جرت مثل هذه الإعادة، فالنتيجة معروفة سلفا، فسوف يكتسح صباحي شعبيا، وينهزم مرشح قيادة الإخوان محمد مرسي، وتكون الهزيمة كاملة للثورة المضادة بجناحيها الإخواني والمباركي، والجناحان يتنازعان على تمثيل المعنى نفسه، وأرادا بالتواطؤ ـ الظاهر والخفي ـ حصر الاختيار بين مرسي وشفيق .
وإذا كان ذلك كذلك، فلماذا إذن ندعو إلى التصويت ضد شفيق في جولة الإعادة المصطنعة، وحتى لو كان الثمن هو التصويت لمرسي ؟، يبدو السؤال في محله تماما، وكثير من القوى الثورية تفضل الإجابة السهلة، وتدعو لمقاطعة جولة الإعادة المصطنعة، ولهم مبرراتهم الأخلاقية والسياسية الوجيهة، لكن المقاطعة ـ عندي ـ لاتبدو الخيار الأمثل الآن، وبرغم اعترافي أن جولة الإعادة المصطنعة تدهس الشرعية الثورية والشرعية القانونية معا، لكنني ألفت النظر إلى شيء يبدو بالغ الأهمية، وهو ذلك التناقض الملفت بين الثورة العفية والمجتمع المنهك، وأهم ما جرى في الجولة الأولى من الانتخابات الرئاسية هو أن الثورة كسبت أرضا انتخابية واسعة في المجتمع، وراقبوا خرائط التصويت جيدا، خاصة بالنسبة لمرشحي الثورة البارزين حمدين صباحي وعبد المنعم أبو الفتوح، وخصوصا في حالة حمدين صباحي بالذات، والذي خاض المعركة بلا تنظيم ولا مال ولا ماكينة انتخابية يعتد بها، وكسب المركز الأول في عواصم مصر الكبرى المؤثرة بإمتياز في الحركة الاجتماعية والسياسية والحضارية، وقد دعونا ـ قبل الانتخابات ـ إلى تقديم مرشح واحد للثورة، ووقتها كان بوسعه الفوز من الجولة الأولى، ولم يحدث ذلك للأسف، لكن النصر الانتخابي للثوريين مما يجب الحفاظ عليه، والبناء فوقه بتعظيم نسب المشاركة الانتخابية، وبتشكيل حزب وطني جامع للثوريين، وتحطيم هيمنة التنظيم الإخواني على الحياة السياسية، وقد صار ذلك ممكنا الآن، خاصة بعد تراجع شعبية الإخوان إلى النصف تقريبا في خمسة شهور فاصلة بين انتخــــابات البرلمان وانتخابات الرئاسة، وهو ما يضيف إلى أولوية الخلاص من جناح جماعة مبارك، ومنع شفيق من الوصول للرئاسة، بل الذهاب به إلى السجن الذي يستحقه، وحتى لو كان الثمن هو تصويت الثوريين لمرسي على طريقة الإضطرار لأكل الميتة ولحم الخنزير، ومرسي ـ بالتأكيد ـ ليس مرشح الثورة، وقيــــادة الإخوان التي تقف خلفه تسعى لاستحواذ واحتكار ينتهي بالانتحار، فدعوا لها الفرصة لكي تنتحر شعبيا، واعملوا لهزيمتها في جولة حسم تالية، فالثورة لاتزال في الشارع وفي الصندوق الانتخابي، الثورة تنتصر الآن بمراكمة النقاط، وغدا تنتصر بالضربة القاضية .
"
The 'blueprint' for Arab Muslim democrats
Aboul Fotouh has proven track record, making him a key player in the future of Egypt's political transition.
By Larbi Sadiki
Al-Jazeera
".....Against all odds…
I think, Dr Aboul Fotouh was destined to play a big role in his country's politics, and in the reshaping of polity through coalition building, and dialogue. The presidency when he contested the politics of a mighty president and protested against the abuse of power - to this end, his past struggle and service to the Egyptian and Arab publics places him ahead of many leaders.
Aboul Fotouh has the vision and leadership to adjust to the new turn of events after the first round of elections. The challenge to measure up to is no longer about campaigning for the single figure to occupy the presidency. Rather it is about the pooling of the endless talents and activists whose role is to protect Egypt's glorious revolution whilst, at the same time, building a culture of compromise, dialogue, pluralism, inclusiveness and mutual obligation in order to set the most important Arab country on the path to greatness: democratic, cultural and economic.
More than 40 years ago, Dr Aboul Fotouh defended Egypt and Egyptians in a rare audience with the Pharaoh that was Sadat, accusing him of hypocrisy. He did that as a student in his early 20s. One fifth of those who voted in the May presidential elections have endorsed his leadership. It will prove vital in the coming months and years as he and others collectively reconstruct a democratic Egypt.
For Aboul Fotouh, a new and tougher test begins: not to be president but to work with others so that regardless of who is elected president, Egypt is ascendant."
By Larbi Sadiki
Al-Jazeera
".....Against all odds…
I think, Dr Aboul Fotouh was destined to play a big role in his country's politics, and in the reshaping of polity through coalition building, and dialogue. The presidency when he contested the politics of a mighty president and protested against the abuse of power - to this end, his past struggle and service to the Egyptian and Arab publics places him ahead of many leaders.
Aboul Fotouh has the vision and leadership to adjust to the new turn of events after the first round of elections. The challenge to measure up to is no longer about campaigning for the single figure to occupy the presidency. Rather it is about the pooling of the endless talents and activists whose role is to protect Egypt's glorious revolution whilst, at the same time, building a culture of compromise, dialogue, pluralism, inclusiveness and mutual obligation in order to set the most important Arab country on the path to greatness: democratic, cultural and economic.
More than 40 years ago, Dr Aboul Fotouh defended Egypt and Egyptians in a rare audience with the Pharaoh that was Sadat, accusing him of hypocrisy. He did that as a student in his early 20s. One fifth of those who voted in the May presidential elections have endorsed his leadership. It will prove vital in the coming months and years as he and others collectively reconstruct a democratic Egypt.
For Aboul Fotouh, a new and tougher test begins: not to be president but to work with others so that regardless of who is elected president, Egypt is ascendant."
Sunday, June 3, 2012
The Butcher Of Damascus' Death Squads
The Butcher of Damascus Keeps Referring to Terrorists.....
Here is One Of Them: A Shabbih From His Own Death Squads!
Mubarak Will Die in Jail, but That's No Thanks to Us
By Robert Fisk
"......But let us remember, this happy Jubilee Day, how we loved Mubarak, how we courted him, praised him, listened to his advice, his thoughts on Islamism, his security boss's fears of Islamist violence (a man called Omar Suleiman, I seem to recall, who wanted to be president until his name was chucked out by the parliament), and how we thought him a "peacemaker". And now Egyptians wait to see whether Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's old prime minister, will be the next president, or the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Mursi. After today, my Egyptian friends tell me, Shafiq is out. Well, we shall see. And if Mursi wins, won't he be just as nice to the army as Shafiq?
Too cynical? Revolutions don't always end happily. Think 1789. Think 1917. Think Egypt 1952. I wrote 17 months ago that Egypt's revolution against Mubarak was the happiest story I have ever written. It's still true. Arabs, in their millions, overthrew a dictator. But I fear that, if the dictator has gone, the dictatorship has survived. The army runs Egypt today. And we, in the West, like armies. Washington likes armies.....
This will matter little to the real revolutionaries of Tahrir Square. They wanted a clean country, a clean society, not a run-off between a Muslim Brother and an ex-Mubarak satrap. Tunisia seemed like a good precedent, a corrupt old dictator fleeing to Saudi Arabia. Another corrupt old dictator will die, eventually, in Cairo, I suppose. But Libya wasn't exactly a peaceful revolution. Nor Yemen. Nor Syria..."
"......But let us remember, this happy Jubilee Day, how we loved Mubarak, how we courted him, praised him, listened to his advice, his thoughts on Islamism, his security boss's fears of Islamist violence (a man called Omar Suleiman, I seem to recall, who wanted to be president until his name was chucked out by the parliament), and how we thought him a "peacemaker". And now Egyptians wait to see whether Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's old prime minister, will be the next president, or the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Mursi. After today, my Egyptian friends tell me, Shafiq is out. Well, we shall see. And if Mursi wins, won't he be just as nice to the army as Shafiq?
Too cynical? Revolutions don't always end happily. Think 1789. Think 1917. Think Egypt 1952. I wrote 17 months ago that Egypt's revolution against Mubarak was the happiest story I have ever written. It's still true. Arabs, in their millions, overthrew a dictator. But I fear that, if the dictator has gone, the dictatorship has survived. The army runs Egypt today. And we, in the West, like armies. Washington likes armies.....
This will matter little to the real revolutionaries of Tahrir Square. They wanted a clean country, a clean society, not a run-off between a Muslim Brother and an ex-Mubarak satrap. Tunisia seemed like a good precedent, a corrupt old dictator fleeing to Saudi Arabia. Another corrupt old dictator will die, eventually, in Cairo, I suppose. But Libya wasn't exactly a peaceful revolution. Nor Yemen. Nor Syria..."
Verdict Revives Egyptian Anger
By Mel Frykberg
"CAIRO, Jun 3, 2012 (IPS) - If the life sentences for former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and one of his key allies were meant to placate Egyptians, they have had the opposite effect.
Shortly after the verdict, tens of thousands of Egyptians from across the politcal spectrum, with perhaps the exception of die-hard Mubarak supporters and supporters of presidential candidate and former Mubarak cabinet member Ahmed Shafik, filled the streets of Egyptian cities to voice their anger at the verdicts....
"We know the former regime will not give up without a bloody fight and we expect more bloodshed in the future. We now are prepared for this because we know our freedom will not come easily," El-Halaby told IPS.
The explosive situation in the street and anger of the protestors is expected to escalate when an appeal by Mubarak and Al-Adly’s lawyers against their life sentences is filed. Many Egyptians, including lawyers for those killed in Tahrir last year as well as Mubarak and Adly’s lawyers believe the appeal will be successful.
But despite events signalling that Egypt’s revolution is far from over, Egyptians haven’t lost their sense of humour. A current joke circulating in Tahrir Square is that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad would happily give up power if he could be tried in an Egyptian court. "
"CAIRO, Jun 3, 2012 (IPS) - If the life sentences for former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and one of his key allies were meant to placate Egyptians, they have had the opposite effect.
Shortly after the verdict, tens of thousands of Egyptians from across the politcal spectrum, with perhaps the exception of die-hard Mubarak supporters and supporters of presidential candidate and former Mubarak cabinet member Ahmed Shafik, filled the streets of Egyptian cities to voice their anger at the verdicts....
"We know the former regime will not give up without a bloody fight and we expect more bloodshed in the future. We now are prepared for this because we know our freedom will not come easily," El-Halaby told IPS.
The explosive situation in the street and anger of the protestors is expected to escalate when an appeal by Mubarak and Al-Adly’s lawyers against their life sentences is filed. Many Egyptians, including lawyers for those killed in Tahrir last year as well as Mubarak and Adly’s lawyers believe the appeal will be successful.
But despite events signalling that Egypt’s revolution is far from over, Egyptians haven’t lost their sense of humour. A current joke circulating in Tahrir Square is that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad would happily give up power if he could be tried in an Egyptian court. "
Emad Hajjaj's Cartoon About Mubarak's Sentence
Mubarak Gets Life in Prison, But.....
Mubarak's Regime Walks Away, Free!
Al-Jazeera Video: Inside Syria - When will Russia change its stance on Syria?
"A number of Western nations have expelled Syrian diplomats from their countries, after the killings in the town of Houla, that shocked the world. And Russia has also come under growing pressure over to get behind the calls to remove Bashar-al-Assad from power.
As violence continued in Syria, International peace envoy Kofi Annan warned that the country was slipping into "all-out" war, saying that the crisis has reached a turning point."
Al-Jazeera Video: Syria violence spills into Lebanon
"The Lebanese army's been deployed to the streets of the northern city of Tripoli to quell sectarian violence.
At least 12 people have been killed in fighting between rival gunmen since Friday.
It's being seen as a spillover from the unrest in Syria.
Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnston reports."
Egypt: Mubarak Conviction a Message for Next President
But Acquittal of Police Chiefs A Green Light to Future Abuse
June 2, 2012
"(London) – The landmark conviction of the former EgyptianPresident Hosni Mubarak on June 2, 2012, on charges of complicity in the murder of peaceful protesters during pro-democracy protests sends a powerful message to Egypt’s future leaders that they are not above the law, Human Rights Watch said today. However, the acquittal of four assistant ministers of interior on the grounds of insufficient evidence highlights the failure of the prosecution to fully investigate responsibility for the shooting of protesters in January 2011, giving a green light to future police abuse, Human Rights Watch said......
“These convictions set an important precedent since just over a year ago seeing Hosni Mubarak as a defendant in a criminal court would have been unthinkable,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “ But the acquittal of senior ministry of interior officials for the deaths and injuries of peaceful protesters leaves police impunity intact andthe victims still waiting for justice.”....."
The Shabiha: Inside Assad's death squads
The Shabiha started off as racketeers and smugglers. But now, as ultra-loyal enforcers of Syria's brutal regime, they have taken on a far more bloodthirsty role
Harriet Alexander and Ruth Sherlock
The Telegraph
"The door to Dr Mousab Azzawi's clinic, on the Mediterranean coast of Syria, was always open to anyone who needed help. But, operating in the heartland of the feared Shabiha militia, there were some patients the doctor would have preferred not to treat.
"They were like monsters," said Dr Azzawi, who worked in Latakia. "They had huge muscles, big bellies, big beards. They were all very tall and frightening, and took steroids to pump up their bodies.
"I had to talk to them like children, because the Shabiha likes people with low intelligence. But that is what makes them so terrifying – the combination of brute strength and blind allegiance to the regime."
As President Bashar al-Assad's country continues its savage slide towards full-blown civil war, the violent, dark and secretive world of the Shabiha is coming out into the open.
Nine days ago, 108 people were butchered by the Shabiha in the town of Houla. The pro-Assad thugs went through the village, house to house, and slit the throats of anyone they came across – including 49 children. Exactly a week later, the Shabiha pulled 12 factory workers off a bus in the town of Qusayr, 40 miles to the south; tied their hands behind their backs, and shot them in the head......
One of the most prominent Alawites on the council is Monzer Makhous.
"The Alawites are supporting Assad because they have been told that he is protecting them, and are very afraid about what will happen when he goes," he told The Sunday Telegraph. "But I don't think there will be revenge against them. Syrian people want peace.
"It is a big challenge for the SNC to attract more Alawites. The Shabiha are killing them too, if they try to leave. But we need them on our side."
Other Alawites agree that more should be done to encourage defections....."
Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
Are you satisfied with the sentences against Mubarak, his two sons, his former interior minister and his aides?
With about 400 responding, 85% said no.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)