For Immediate
Release
8/22/2013
Operation Save Democracy (OSD) is an
Egyptian American Task Force that was formed to deal with the political crisis
created by the military coup in Egypt. OSD calls on President Obama, the US
Congress, and the American people to stand for democracy in Egypt and denounce
the July 3rd military coup.
The
overthrow of the legitimately elected president, the iron fist policies used by
the interim government, and the declaration of emergency law are all pushing
Egypt to a new cycle of violence and chaos. However, the new victims now are
houses of worship where churches and mosques are burnt, attacked, and
desecrated. OSD condemn such acts and calls for immediate investigations and
prompt punishment of all involved parties including General Mohamed Ibrahim;
the current Minister of Interior.
Since
the military coup, Egypt is suffering from the absence of a civic elected
government, independent and principled judiciary establishment, responsible
mass media, and ethical security apparatus. Today, the Egyptian people are
facing unprecedented threats of violent assaults on religious buildings. People
now lack any effective platform for justice to defend their faith-based
institutions.
In
the midst of such a toxic environment one cannot possibly determine what is
true and what is false, what are rumors and innuendo and what are factual and
authentic.
During Mubarak’s
era, the dirty tactic of ‘divide and rule’ was used quite skillfully by the
government to create sectarian rifts between Muslims and Christians. For 30
dark years, both sides were tricked and dragged into this depleting animosity,
which diverted their attention from the overwhelming corruption and failures of
Mubarak’s regime. Even small and trivial disputes that happen in every society,
were exaggerated, publicized, and inflamed to deepen the rift between an
Egyptian and his/her fellow Egyptian. Even when there is a period of relative
peace, Mubarak’s security apparatus managed to plot and stage a terrorist act
against a church in Alexandria during the 2010 Christmas mass to justify
another extension of its emergency law, which has already lasted for 30 years
prior to this incident.
The
leaders of the military coup have cancelled the constitution and reinstated the
emergency law. As a result, one should not be surprised that more and more of
these sectarian disputes and claims will appear again. Some of these claims may
be true and some may be rumors, exaggeration, or lies that are fabricated to
score political points. In such a chaotic atmosphere, it is almost impossible
to find the truth.
Operation
Save Democracy strongly believe that the US needs to act now and must use their
most effective bargaining power by cutting-off of military aid and withholding
official recognition of the new Egyptian government until the democratic
process is restored. As American citizens, we plea from President Obama’s
administration to take the following steps:
1.
Denounce
the military coup
2.
Boycott
the illegitimate government in Egypt, and request from US allies and the
international community to do the same.
3.
Condemn
the continuing massacres committed by the security apparatus across the
country.
4.
Demand the
restoration of the 2012 Egyptian Constitution, to ensure a peaceful, legal, and
guided transition period
5.
Demand
immediate release of President Morsi, his wife, his assistants, and all
political prisoners
6.
Endorse
and/or sponsor every effort that promotes national reconciliation among the
various groups in Egypt.
For further information:
Operation Save
Democracy (OSD)
Safei-Eldin
Hamed, Ph.D.
Tel: (806)
535-8549
No comments:
Post a Comment