The Egyptian government, like several other governments in the region, has been harassing bloggers, arresting them in trump up charges and doing its best to limit freedom of expression. This is just the last example. Please contact the Egyptian embassy in your country and complain about this.
—
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI)
deplores the fabrication of political lawsuits by state security organs,
particularly in the province of Fayoum, where officials have created new
charges against bloggers. The most recent charge was brought against Ahmed
Mohsen, a blogger who writes the Open Your Eyes blog (
http://eyestillopen.blogspot.com). He has been accused of “exploiting the
democratic climate prevailing in the country to overthrow the regime.”
On 23 April 2009, state security forces broke into Mohsen’s house in the
city of Fayoum and searched it, but were surprised to find that the blogger
had months ago moved to Minya province to work and had not returned to
Fayoum since. Officer Amr Alhumaili, not wanting to be reprimanded for
submitting false information to his superiors, called the blogger and told
him to come to Fayoum or they would bring him from Minya. The blogger
travelled back to the city and headed directly to the Fayoum public
prosecution, where he was charged with attempting to overthrow the
government. On 29 April, he was imprisoned for 15 days pending
investigation.
“It is normal for a state security officer to tell lies, but when the
public prosecution believes this lie and approves the imprisonment of a
young blogger for ‘exploitation of the democratic climate’, this is black
comedy. What democracy did this young man exploit?” said ANHRI.
“Through this statement, we notify the Minister of the Interior that your
state security officer, Amr Alhumaili, lied to you and fabricated the
record of inquiry against the young blogger, who did not have anything to
do with the city of Fayoum several months ago. Will the Minister of the
Interior punish the officer or he will turn a blind eye on the whole issue
and keep silent on the imprisonment of an innocent young man?” asked ANHRI.
For further information contact Gamal Eid, Executive Director, ANHRI,
Building No. 19, Suite 55, 26 of July St., Downtown Cairo, Egypt, tel/fax:
+20 227 736 177, e-mail: info@anhri.net, gamaleid@anhri.net, Internet:
http://www.anhri.net
Page 80 of 177
They both want to repress workers and bust unions.
Mario Benedetti, the literary voice of the progressive left in Latin America, died yesterday in Montevideo, Uruguay – his home country. I think it’s impossible to overestimate the importance of Benedetti and his work to the social justice movements in our continent – his words have inspired and comforted multiple generations. Here is one of his most performed poems/ songs, Por qué cantamos? – Why do we sing?
If each hour comes with its own death
if time is a cave of thieves
and the airs are no longer such good airs,
life is nothing but a mobile target
and you will ask why do we sing…
If those who are ours are left without an embrace
our motherland is almost dead of sadness
and the heart of man is blown to pieces
before shame exploded.
You will ask why do we sing…
We sing because the river sounds
and when the river sounds, sounds the river.
We sing because the cruel has no name
but his name has one.
We sing because of the child and because of everything
and because of some future and because of the people.
We sing because the survivors
and our dead want us to sing.
If we were far as a horizon,
if trees and sky were left here,
if every night was an absence
and every waking up a missed encounter
You will ask why do we sing…
We sing because it rains on the furrow
and we are militants of Life
and because we cannot and do not want to
let songs become ashes.
We sing because a cry is not enough
and neither are tears or anger.
We sing because we believe in people
and because we will overcome defeat.
We sing because the Sun recognizes us
and because the fields smell like spring
and because in this stem, in that fruit
every question has its answer…
Thursday, June 4, 2009
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Zocalo Coffeehouse
645 Bancroft (at Dutton)
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents and their straight allies will get a chance to meet, catch up, or get to know each other. All ages welcome. E-mail rrodriguez@slcan.org to RSVP and indicate what dish you will bring.
SLCAN is a grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in San Leandro by ensuring quality education, smart growth, and an inclusive and equitable community. For more information, visit http://www.slcan.org.
Recent Comments