In Egyptian Courts, Christian Rights are not Equal to Those of Muslims

Christians in Cairo Demand Justice

Washington, D.C. (April 30, 2010) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on April 28, hundreds of Egyptian Christians in Cairo protested against the third postponement of the trial of Mohammed al-Kammuni, considered to be a blatant judicial action stating that in an Egyptian court, Christian rights are not equal to those of Muslims.

The protest was assembled after continued frustration among Copts over the postponement on April 18 of the court hearing of alleged murderer Mohammed al-Kammuni, believed to be the mastermind behind the killings of six Christians on January 6^th in Naga Hammadi.

Kamal Nashed, the father of nineteen year old Naga Hammadi victim Abanoub Nashed, expressed his discouragement to ICC, “The other victim’s families and myself are being manipulated by the court and being played with by this case being postponed so many times. This case will die, like other cases have died such as Dairout, where four Muslims killed a Christian in broad daylight and walked free after four months. We are getting into the fifth month now, and still the judge is postponing the trial.”

The attack on Naga Hammadi stirred an uproar amongst Coptic Christian communities throughout the world. Large demonstrations were held in cities worldwide to protest human rights and religious freedom violations committed by Islamic fundamentalists and ignored by the Egyptian government against the Coptic minority in Egypt. Although having made a significant impact, the Coptic rallies have calmed, and still the Egyptian government has not made progress to ensure equal rights for Christians.

However, in Egypt, where few protests have been held due to tight security and the genuine threat of being imprisoned for speaking publically against the Egyptian government, Copts continue to courageously demand justice.

“We want to feel peace inside and we want justice,” said Mr. Kamal, echoing the heartfelt pleas of all Coptic Christians. “We are suffering and we wish to feel relief. My son has been killed, yet still the killers have not been judged. I feel bitterness and pain and agony inside. Since the day of the massacre, I can’t sleep or feel rest. I’m happy and sad at the same time. I’m happy because my son is with Jesus in heaven. But I am in pain because I want to see him again, but I will not see him again. He is innocent. It shouldn’t have happened. What benefit did they get out of this? Why did they kill him?”

Mr. Kamal continued, “We demand a fast hearing and justice. What’s going on will hurt not only the Christians, but it will hurt Christians and Muslims, and it will make the country go on fire. The court is not helping by covering up crimes.”

Aidan Clay, ICC Regional Manager of the Middle East, said, “The third trial postponement came as a slap in the face to every Coptic effort to demand justice for the death of their youth in Naga Hammadi. The government is blatantly saying that they care nothing for the rights of Christians, and view them as nothing more than a nuisance. ICC admires the courage of Copts in Egypt who, when the world now seems to be silent, are still persevering and pressing onward for their religious and legal liberties. Without international attention, the Egyptian government will ignore Christian rights. For this reason, ICC continues to bring awareness to Christian oppression in Egypt until their voices are heard and significant change is made.”