Post by Teddy Bear on Sept 9, 2011 0:19:27 GMT
With the BBC anxious to convince us that the 'Arab Spring' is all sweetness and light, you'd think that the story of a truly enlightened Egyptian blogger, and his views, would be presented in full. I must admit when I just read the story of this blogger I didn't expect to find any mention of him at all on the BBC website becasue of what happened to him, knowing how they prefer to avoid presenting these kind of views, but I was wrong (in a way), there was one - but then I saw I was also right - they omitted the main elements of this young man's views.
First read the story of this wonderful brave soul, and then see what the BBC have told you about him - then ask yourself WHY?
Now read what the BBC have told you about him and see if you think they really serve the values of our society. Note they don;t even update to tell us of his hunger strike.
First read the story of this wonderful brave soul, and then see what the BBC have told you about him - then ask yourself WHY?
Dissident Watch: Maikel Nabil Sanad
by Rebecca Witonsky
Middle East Quarterly
Fall 2011
Maikel Nabil Sanad, a 25-year old pacifist currently on a hunger strike in an Egyptian prison, is one of the Arab world's most pioneering human rights activists. A veterinarian by profession, in April 2009, Sanad founded the "No to Compulsory Service Campaign," which aims to end the compulsory three-year military service term for Egyptian males and reportedly has upward of 3,000 members. Last year, he became the first known conscientious objector in Egyptian history when he refused to report for duty.[1]
While distaste for the draft is not uncommon among middle-class Egyptians, the reasons for Sanad's conscientious objection are virtually unheard of in the Arab world. "I don't want to point a weapon at a young Israeli, recruited into obligatory service, defending his state's right to exist," he explained in October 2010.[2] He has frequently expressed his admiration for Israel's democratic freedoms, respect for women's rights, and religious tolerance while voicing rejection of Arab terrorism and outrage over the blatant anti-Semitism propagated by the Egyptian military and political establishment during the Mubarak years. He even went so far as to publish an article on the Arabic language website of the Israeli foreign ministry entitled, "Why I Am a Pro-Israel." He is learning Hebrew and has a Hebrew section on his blog.[3]
Sanad has been severely persecuted for his pacifism and expressions of solidarity with the Israeli people, both of which are deeply taboo in Egypt. He was briefly imprisoned twice for two days each, and on one of these occasions was sexually harassed.[4] After the fall of the Mubarak regime, he was targeted for more severe persecution because of his outspoken criticism of the Egyptian military junta. On March 28, 2011, Sanad was arrested for "insulting the military" and subsequently brought before a closed military tribunal. While other activists who dared criticize the new regime have been released within days of their arrest, on April 11, Sanad was sentenced to three years imprisonment.[5]
Sanad has suffered numerous abuses in prison, such as denial of access to decent food, placement with common criminals, being forced to shower in dirty water and to sleep on insect-laden bedding. Until recently, he was denied access to essential medical care.[6]
On August 23, Sanad began a hunger strike to protest the injustice and conditions of his imprisonment. On August 30, he began refusing to drink water and stopped taking his heart medication. His father and brother Marc tried to visit him in prison on that day but were told by prison guards that Sanad "refused" to see them.[7] His family and friends warn that he is fully prepared to die for his beliefs. And all this in the new, "democratic" Egypt.
(To follow any links provided please access site itself)
by Rebecca Witonsky
Middle East Quarterly
Fall 2011
Maikel Nabil Sanad, a 25-year old pacifist currently on a hunger strike in an Egyptian prison, is one of the Arab world's most pioneering human rights activists. A veterinarian by profession, in April 2009, Sanad founded the "No to Compulsory Service Campaign," which aims to end the compulsory three-year military service term for Egyptian males and reportedly has upward of 3,000 members. Last year, he became the first known conscientious objector in Egyptian history when he refused to report for duty.[1]
While distaste for the draft is not uncommon among middle-class Egyptians, the reasons for Sanad's conscientious objection are virtually unheard of in the Arab world. "I don't want to point a weapon at a young Israeli, recruited into obligatory service, defending his state's right to exist," he explained in October 2010.[2] He has frequently expressed his admiration for Israel's democratic freedoms, respect for women's rights, and religious tolerance while voicing rejection of Arab terrorism and outrage over the blatant anti-Semitism propagated by the Egyptian military and political establishment during the Mubarak years. He even went so far as to publish an article on the Arabic language website of the Israeli foreign ministry entitled, "Why I Am a Pro-Israel." He is learning Hebrew and has a Hebrew section on his blog.[3]
Sanad has been severely persecuted for his pacifism and expressions of solidarity with the Israeli people, both of which are deeply taboo in Egypt. He was briefly imprisoned twice for two days each, and on one of these occasions was sexually harassed.[4] After the fall of the Mubarak regime, he was targeted for more severe persecution because of his outspoken criticism of the Egyptian military junta. On March 28, 2011, Sanad was arrested for "insulting the military" and subsequently brought before a closed military tribunal. While other activists who dared criticize the new regime have been released within days of their arrest, on April 11, Sanad was sentenced to three years imprisonment.[5]
Sanad has suffered numerous abuses in prison, such as denial of access to decent food, placement with common criminals, being forced to shower in dirty water and to sleep on insect-laden bedding. Until recently, he was denied access to essential medical care.[6]
On August 23, Sanad began a hunger strike to protest the injustice and conditions of his imprisonment. On August 30, he began refusing to drink water and stopped taking his heart medication. His father and brother Marc tried to visit him in prison on that day but were told by prison guards that Sanad "refused" to see them.[7] His family and friends warn that he is fully prepared to die for his beliefs. And all this in the new, "democratic" Egypt.
(To follow any links provided please access site itself)
Now read what the BBC have told you about him and see if you think they really serve the values of our society. Note they don;t even update to tell us of his hunger strike.
Egypt blogger Maikel Nabil jailed by military court
Maikel Nabil has been arrested several times for his political activity
Maikel Nabil was arrested last month for blogs that criticised the army's role during anti-government protests.
The 26-year-old is thought to be the first blogger jailed in Egypt since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak.
Activists said the trial set a dangerous precedent at a time when Egypt was trying to move away from the alleged abuses of the Mubarak era.
Lawyers representing Maikel Nabil have criticised the conduct of the military court.
"We are in a state of shock because [on Sunday] they told us the decision would be on Tuesday, so the family and lawyer left. Afterwards the court announced its decision," said Gamal Eid, a lawyer who heads the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information.
Mr Eid said the trial was unfair because the court did not even consider the content of Mr Nabil's blog posts.
He said he would petition the head of the court to reverse its decision and free Mr Nabil.
Last week, Human Rights Watch called for the charges against Mr Nabil to be dropped.
This was the first trial of a blogger by a military court since the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces assumed control after Mr Mubarak resigned on 11 February, following 18 days of street protests.
Maikel Nabil has been arrested several times for his political activity
Maikel Nabil was arrested last month for blogs that criticised the army's role during anti-government protests.
The 26-year-old is thought to be the first blogger jailed in Egypt since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak.
Activists said the trial set a dangerous precedent at a time when Egypt was trying to move away from the alleged abuses of the Mubarak era.
Lawyers representing Maikel Nabil have criticised the conduct of the military court.
"We are in a state of shock because [on Sunday] they told us the decision would be on Tuesday, so the family and lawyer left. Afterwards the court announced its decision," said Gamal Eid, a lawyer who heads the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information.
Mr Eid said the trial was unfair because the court did not even consider the content of Mr Nabil's blog posts.
He said he would petition the head of the court to reverse its decision and free Mr Nabil.
Last week, Human Rights Watch called for the charges against Mr Nabil to be dropped.
This was the first trial of a blogger by a military court since the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces assumed control after Mr Mubarak resigned on 11 February, following 18 days of street protests.