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Tuesday October 11, 2011

Statement on the Violence in Egypt

Posted by AAI at 3:38 pm

We are deeply disturbed by the Egyptian army’s attack on primarily Christian-Coptic protesters over the weekend, with footage emerging of military vehicles running over demonstrators. The military’s assault was especially brutal resulting in over two dozen killed. Causing further concern were Egyptian state television’s sectarian calls to other Egyptians to support the army’s efforts. This type of behavior is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. We call on Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to allow an immediate and independent investigation into this weekend’s incidents to be conducted. We also call on the Obama administration to insist that such an investigation to be carried out quickly, and to make clear to Egyptian authorities that this type of incident must never happen again.

This weekend’s violence in Egypt is not only tragic for the victims and their families, but also has the potential of triggering wider sectarian violence, thus posing a threat to the unity of the Egyptian people in this critical time of transition. This is not the change Egypt’s youth had in mind when they risked their lives to reshape their country’s future. The spirit of the Egyptian revolution, the democratic vision it aspires to implement, and the incredible show of unity that toppled President Hosni Mubarak 8 months ago must be preserved in order for Egypt to fulfill its key role in the region’s transformation.

Tagged as Issues, Arab Spring, Egypt, US-Arab Relations

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