Thursday, July 4, 2013

NINETY-ONE women protesters raped and sexually abused in Tahrir Square in just four days

The number of sex attacks and rapes against female protesters in Egypt's Tahrir Square has hit 91 in just four days.
Vicious mobs attacked the women as millions of protesters took to the streets to demand President Mohammed Morsi step down.
Today Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on key institutions, even putting officers in the newsroom of state TV - the military leaders deadline for President Morsi to find a resolution to Egypt's political crisis or else the army would impose its own political plan passed this afternoon.


Violence:
Violence: An Egyptian opposition protester is beaten by supporters of Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi, as a main raises a brick overhead, in downtown Damietta

Tension:
Tension: An Egyptian opposition protester holds a chair and knife during a clash between supporters and opponents of President Mohammed Morsi

Hurt
Hurt: An injured protester reacts during clashes between residents and Muslim Brotherhood members and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi supporters outside Cairo University

An Egyptian youth holds a chair while another grabs a basket during a clash between supporters and opponents of President Mohammed Morsi in downtown Damietta, Egypt

Human Rights Watch reported that Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment/Assault said four of the women needed medical assistance, including two who were evacuated by ambulance.
Past: CBS foreign correspondent Lara Logan was beaten and sexually assaulted by a 200-strong mob in 2011 in Tahrir Square
Past: CBS foreign correspondent Lara Logan was beaten and sexually assaulted by a 200-strong mob in 2011 in Tahrir Square
One woman required surgery after being raped with a 'sharp object'  according to women’s rights group Nazra for Feminist Studies.
Women were beaten with metal chains, sticks, and chairs, and attacked with knives - some of the attacks lasted for 45 minutes before they were able to escape.
Last week, a 22-year-old Dutch journalist was gang-raped in Tahrir Square and had to undergo surgery for severe injuries - her  horrifying rape is reminiscent of the violence at Tahrir Square in 2011 when CBS foreign correspondent Lara Logan was beaten and sexually assaulted by a 200-strong mob.
'The rampant sexual attacks during the Tahrir Square protests highlight the failure of the government and all political parties to face up to the violence that women in Egypt experience on a daily basis in public spaces,' said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
Morsi is expected to either resign or be forced out of his role by the military today, claim the country's media, as images emerge showing protesters trying to bring down an army helicopter.
Violence between anti-Morsi protesters and opposition groups escalated last night with trouble in the capital Cairo seeing at least 23 people killed and 200 injured.
At least 39 people have been killed in clashes since Sunday, raising fears the crisis could further explode into violence.
The clashes came hours after the country's military leaders laid down a deadline for President Morsi to find a resolution to Egypt's political crisis or else the army would impose its own political plan.
The army plans to depose Morsi should no solution be reached, suspend the constitution, disband parliament and install a new leadership.
Move:
Move: Today Egypt's military moved to tighten its control on key institutions, even putting officers in the newsroom of state TV
A coup would mean ousting the first democratically elected president in Egypt's history
A coup would mean ousting the first democratically elected president in Egypt's history
Egypt's Al-Ahram newspaper said the road map would establish a three-member presidential council to be chaired by the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court.
'Al-Ahram learnt that with the end of the 48-hour period set by the armed forces it is expected in the hours that follow it, one of two things: either Morsi announces his resignation himself, or the declaration of his removal through the road map for the future set out by the armed forces,' it said.
But an armed forces spokesman denied the claims and said that the countries leaders would instead be called to crisis talks.
The latest developments came after pictures emerged of protesters shining laser pointers at a military helicopter on Sunday night in an apparent attempt to bring it down.
Most of those killed in overnight violence reportedly died in a single incident of fighting outside Cairo University.
Thousands
Thousands of Egyptian protesters gathered gin Tahrir Square as the deadline given by the military to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi passed today


he presiden
The president gave a defiant speech last night and vowed to stay in power despite the military threats

Fresh eurozone worries and turmoil in Egypt caused an end to the recent recovery in the FTSE 100 Index today as oil prices rose to a year-long high.
As well as political uncertainty in Egypt, stock market investors were spooked by disappointing data from the Chinese non-manufacturing sector and growing concerns over the future of Portugal's coalition government as it attempts to pursue the austerity measures demanded by creditors.
The FTSE 100 Index was down 1.6% or 99.9 points to 6204, eliminating some of the rebound seen in recent days after earlier losses triggered by credit crunch fears in China and the prospect of a tapering of economic stimulus measures in the United States.
Egypt is not an oil producer but its control of the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, gives it a crucial role in global energy supplies.
The uncertain global outlook was reflected in the price of oil, with the New York listed price at its highest level in more than a year after a rise of more than two US dollars to around 102 US dollars a barrel.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is recommending against all but essential travel to most parts of Egypt, following last night's protests.

Mr Cameron assured MPs in the Commons that action was being taken to safeguard UK nationals in Egypt and the British Embassy in Cairo.
He said: 'These are deeply disturbing scenes, the level of violence is appalling.
'We should appeal to all sides to calm and stop the levels of violence, and particularly sexual assaults.'
Mr Cameron added: 'It is not for this country to support any single group or party. What we should support is proper democratic processes and proper government by consent.
'Very clear messages have been sent to president Morsi - including by president Obama who spoke to him directly, and we have also been communicating through our ambassadors - that, yes, he has a democratic mandate and we respect that, but democracy also means ensuring that everyone has a voice and that leaders have a responsibility to represent all Egyptians and show they are responsive to their concerns.
'That's what the government needs to do in order to bring about peace and stability in that country.'
President Mohammed Morsi, who yesterday rebuffed an army ultimatum to force a resolution to Egypt's political crisis, made an emotional speech which was aired live to the nation.
Morsi, who a year ago was inaugurated as Egypt's first freely elected president, pledged to protect his 'constitutional legitimacy' with his life.
He accused loyalists of his ousted autocratic predecessor Hosni Mubarak of exploiting the wave of protests to topple his regime and thwart democracy.
Protest: Laser lights directed at a government building in Cairo show Morsi's name crossed out as protesters call for him to stand down
Protest: Laser lights directed at a government building in Cairo show Morsi's name crossed out as protesters call for him to stand down

'There is no substitute for legitimacy,' said Morsi, who at times angrily raised his voice, thrust his fist in the air and pounded the podium.
He warned that electoral and constitutional legitimacy 'is the only guarantee against violence.'
Morsi's defiant statement showed that he and his Muslim Brotherhood are prepared to run the risk of challenging the army.
It also entrenches the lines of confrontation between his Islamist supporters and Egyptians angry over what they see as his efforts to impose control by his Muslim Brotherhood and his failures to deal with the country's multiple problems. 
The crisis has become a struggle over whether a popular uprising can overturn the verdict of the ballot box.
Mohammed Morsi, who a year ago was inaugurated as Egypt's first freely elected president, pledged to protect his 'constitutional legitimacy' with his life in an emotional televised speech
Emotional: Mohammed Morsi, who a year ago was inaugurated as Egypt's first freely elected president, pledged to protect his 'constitutional legitimacy' with his life in an emotional televised speech
Morsi's opponents say he has lost his legitimacy through mistakes and power grabs and that their turnout on the streets shows the nation has turned against him.
Nationwide protests against Morsi prompted the army to tell feuding politicians they had 48 hours find a resolution with the opposition or it would impose its own road map for the country.
Neither side showed any signs of backing down however with Morsi arguing he had not been consulted by the military and would pursue his own plans for national reconciliation.

But the Islamist leader looked increasingly isolated with the liberal opposition refusing to talk to him and the armed forces, backed by millions of protesters in the street, giving him until today to agree to share power.
Newspapers across the political spectrum saw the army's 48-hour deadline as a turning point.
'Last 48 hours of Muslim Brotherhood rule,' the opposition daily El Watan declared. 'Egypt awaits the army,' said the state-owned El Akhbar.
The confrontation has pushed the most populous Arab nation closer to the abyss amid a deepening economic crisis two years after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, raising concern in Washington, Europe and neighbouring Israel.
But as anti-Morsi protests entered the third day, Egyptian shares jumped to a three-week high yesterday.
The bourse's benchmark index jumped 4.9 per cent in early trade to its highest point since June 9 after a bank holiday on Monday to mark the start of a new fiscal year.
Share prices fell 12 per cent in June amid fears that a mass protest called for June 30 might deteriorate into violence, further aggravating a deteriorating economy.
But it has also caused the price of oil around the world to soar because of concerns that the protests in Egypt and the civil war in Syria could affect the production and transport of oil supplies in the Middle East and North Africa.
Meanwhile, protesters remain encamped in Cairo's central Tahrir Square and protest leaders have called for another mass rally on tonight to try to force the president out.
Morsi's Islamist backers have hunkered down at their own rally site on the other side of town, vowing to resist what they depict as a threat of a coup against a legitimately elected president.




The army's ultimatum raised worries on both sides that the army could take over outright as it did after the 2011 ousting of autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
It has raised the risk of a backlash from Morsi's Islamist backers, including his powerful Muslim Brotherhood and hard-liners, some of whom once belonged to armed militant groups.

Pro-Morsi marches numbering in the several thousands began after nightfall on Monday in a string of cities around the country, sparking clashes in some places.
An alliance of the Brotherhood and Islamists read a statement at a televised conference calling on people to rally to prevent 'any attempt to overturn' Morsi's election a year ago.
A line of around 1,500 men with shields, helmets and sticks - assigned with protecting the rally - stamped their feet in military-like lines, singing, 'stomp our feet, raise a fire. Islam's march is coming'.

President Barack Obama said the U.S. is committed to democracy in Egypt, not any particular leader
The FCO is advising against travel to all regions of Egypt except resorts on the Red Sea in South Sinai and in the Red Sea Governorate on the Egyptian mainland.
There are no travel restriction warnings for destinations in the region of Sharm el Sheikh, Taba, Nuweiba and Dahab which are popular with sun-seeking British tourists.
The FCO also deems safe the St Catherine's Monastery World Heritage Site, road travel between and from Red Sea resorts to the monastery approaching from the east, and transfers between the resorts and airports of Taba and Sharm el Sheikh.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'Although we are not recommending immediate departure at the moment, British nationals already in Egypt in areas where we advise against all but essential travel should consider whether they have a pressing need to remain.
'While in Egypt they should stay at or close to home or a place of safety (eg their hotel), keep a low profile and pay close attention to their personal safety, particularly in the larger cities.
'They should take particular care to avoid crowds. The situation is changeable and they should continue to watch our travel advice closely.'
There are no warnings against the use of Cairo airport as a transit stop, providing travellers do not leave the airport grounds, the FCO said.

TWO YEARS OF TURMOIL AND TRANSITION: TIMELINE OF EVENTS

Key events from when the Arab Spring began to the current protests:
Jan. 25-Feb. 11, 2011 - Egyptians stage nationwide demonstrations against the rule of autocrat Hosni Mubarak, who led the country for nearly three decades.
The 18-day 'revolution,' launched by secular and leftist youth, draws in a wide spectrum, including the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists. Hundreds of protesters are killed as Mubarak and his allies try to crush the uprising.
Feb. 11 - Mubarak steps down and turns power over to the military. Two days later, the body of top generals, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, dissolves parliament and suspends the constitution, meeting two key demands of protesters.
June 16-17 - Egyptians vote in the presidential runoff between Morsi and Shafiq. The generals issue a 'constitutional declaration' giving themselves sweeping authorities and limiting the powers of the next president. Morsi emerges as the victor, with 51.7 percent of the vote.
June 30 - Morsi takes his formal oath of office before the Supreme Constitutional Court, a day after reading a symbolic oath in Cairo's Tahrir Square, birthplace of the revolution.
Aug. 12 - In a bold move, Morsi orders the retirement of the top Mubarak-era leadership of the military and cancels the military's last constitutional decree, taking back the powers that the generals gave themselves. The move was seen as way to curb the military's role in political affairs but it also gave Morsi the power to legislate in the absence of parliament.
Nov. 22 - Morsi unilaterally decrees greater authorities for himself, giving his decisions immunity from judicial review and barring the courts from dissolving the constituent assembly and the upper house of parliament. The move came just ahead of court decisions that could have dissolved the bodies. The move sparks days of protests, with clashes between Morsi's supporters and opponents. At one point, some 200,000 people rally in Tahrir Square, with some of the first chants for Morsi to 'leave.'
Dec. 4 - More than 100,000 protesters march on the presidential palace, demanding the cancellation of the referendum and the writing of a new constitution. The next day, Islamists attack a peaceful anti-Morsi sit-in outside the palace, sparking all-out street battles that leave at least 10 dead. Days later, Morsi rescinds his initial decrees, but maintains the date of the referendum.
Jan. 25, 2013 - Hundreds of thousands hold protests in Tahrir Square and nationwide against Morsi on the 2-year anniversary of the start of the revolt against Mubarak, and clashes erupt in many places.
Jan. 26 - Residents of the city of Port Said stage protests, angered by a court ruling convicting and sentencing to death a group of local soccer fans for a 2012 stadium riot. Police crack down hard in Port Said, killing more than 40 protesters, and in outrage the city and others nearby go into near revolt. Much of the anger is focused at Morsi, who praised the police for their crackdown.
Feb.-March - Protests continue in Port Said and other cities for weeks, with dozens more dying in clashes, and some police units around the country go on strike. Brotherhood youth and their opponents fight in the streets outside the group's main Cairo headquarters.
June 23 - A mob beats to death four Egyptian Shiites in their home in a village on the edge of Cairo. Morsi condemns the attack, but critics blame virulent anti-Shiite rhetoric by his hard-line Islamist allies, fueled by Syria's civil war. A week earlier, Morsi shared a stage with hard-line clerics at a rally, sitting silently as they denounced Shiites as 'filthy.'
June 30 -- Millions of Egyptians take to the streets in Cairo and other cities calling for Morsi to step down in a massive display of anger and frustration with the Islamist leader. The demonstrations are largely peaceful, although 16 people, half of them in clashes outside the Muslim Brotherhood's Cairo headquarters, are killed in protest-related violence nationwide. Organisers vow to keep up the protests until Morsi resigns.
July 1 - Demonstrations continue and Egypt's military issues an ultimatum for the two sides to come to a resolution within 48 hours or it will impose its own solution.#
July 2 - A night of clashes outside Cairo University sees at least 16 people killed, with unofficial sources saying that more than 23 people died.
July 3 - Egyptian media reports that President Morsi will either be sacked or forced to stand down as the army's deadline for a resolution approaches.

dailymail.co.uk


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