Amnesty International slammed the government on
Wednesday for failing to protect Coptic Christians, the largest
religious minority in the country.
“Coptic Christians [in Egypt] must be protected
from sectarian violence,” the international human rights body said in a
statement.
Amnesty said there had been a rise in tensions
between religious communities in the town of Wasta in Beni Suef
Governorate, about 100 km south of Cairo, in recent weeks.
Tensions were sparked in February when a local
Muslim woman was reported “missing” and members of her family and local
Salafis blamed the Mar-Girgis Church, claiming they had convinced the
woman to convert to Christianity, an allegation the church denies.
People in the town went out on the streets
calling for the return of the woman or for the Coptic Christian
community to leave Wasta.
During some of the protests, shouts of “Let the
Christian die from fear,” “Today your sister, tomorrow your wife” and
“She returns or [Coptic Christians] leave” were heard.
Local residents told Amnesty that leaflets are
being distributed in the market, on public transport and outside stores
owned by Christians, highlighting Muslims’ religious duty to solve the
mystery of woman’s alleged disappearance.
According to residents, violence escalated
further between 19 and 25 March, when groups of men believed to be
Salafis and their supporters forced Christian stores and other
businesses to close. They then patrolled the area to ensure they stayed
shut and attacked anyone who resisted.
Wasta residents also said security forces failed
to intervene and that, in most cases, police stations refused to
register complaints. One resident told Amnesty that he had been told an
official complaint would only serve to ignite tensions further, with
security forces advising him to pursue reconciliation instead.
On 25 March, after evening prayers, a large group
of Muslim men walked to the Mar-Girgis Church and threw stones and
Molotov cocktails inside the building. Some of the church employees who
were there at the time managed to contain the fire.
That night, the car of a local priest Father
Shenouda Sabry was set on fire while parked outside his home. Security
forces arrived at the scene shortly after and managed to stop the
violence from escalating.
However, according to information available, no
arrests have been made and no investigation established to find out who
was responsible.
“Coptic Christians across Egypt face
discrimination in law and practice and have been victims of regular
sectarian attacks while authorities systematically look the other way,”
said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa
deputy director.
Later on 25 March, Coptic Christian and Muslim
elders held a “reconciliation meeting”. It was agreed that businesses
run by Coptic Christians could reopen save Fridays.
However, Coptic Christians in Wasta were also
warned that if the “missing” woman did not return by 24 April, they
would face dire consequences.
Authorities’ response to the violence against
Copts has been poor, at best, Amnesty said, adding that they often favor
“reconciliation” over the prosecution of offenders as a way to address
sectarian violence.
“Time and time again, President Mohamed Morsy has
claimed to be the president of all Egyptians. Now, he needs to take
action to ensure that sectarian violence is prevented and when it occurs
that it is properly investigated, with those responsible facing
justice,” said Sahraoui.
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