Egyptians Mark Anniversary of Revolution that Toppled Mubarak's Regim

28/01/2012

Activists mark one year since army launched protest crackdown

Thousands of protesters gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square for what activists called "the Friday of Pride and Dignity", demanding speedier democratic reform on the day marking one year since the army moved in to crush anti-Mubarak protests.

By News Wires (text)
France 24, January 28, 2011

AFP -

Thousands of protesters thronged Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to demand democratic change, vowing to revive their unfinished revolution a year after they toppled president Hosni Mubarak.

They marched from across the capital to join thousands in Tahrir, the symbolic heart of the uprising, on a day dubbed "the Friday of Pride and Dignity" by the dozens of pro-democracy groups organising the rallies.

Friday marked a year since the army was deployed on the "day of anger" to control the deadly protests calling for an end to Mubarak's regime.

The military took power when Mubarak resigned on February 11, in a dramatic turn of events for the Arab world's most populous nation, which had known the same president for 30 years.

But a year later, many are disenchanted and even angry at the military, which protesters accuse of human rights abuses and of reneging on promised reforms.

"Down with military rule!" shouted marchers.

"Legitimacy comes from the square," they chanted, clapping and waving flags.

Thousands also marched towards the state television building in Maspero, just blocks from Tahrir, demanding the "cleansing" of state media, which they accuse of incitement against the protesters.

In Tahrir, crowds had gathered in prayer in the centre of the square, among the tents that marked a sit-in launched on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the uprising.

But as the day progressed, splits emerged between the powerful Muslim Brotherhood and anti-military protesters who accused the long-banned Islamist group of colluding with the military to protect their new-found power.

The Brotherhood, which won a crushing victory in parliamentary elections contested over three months, had occupied one part of the square where the mood was celebratory.

On the other side, the chants were strongly anti-military.

Protesters shouted "traitors!" at the Islamists, prompting minor scuffles between the two sides.

The Brotherhood responded by playing verses from the Koran through loudspeakers on their stage, before switching to the national anthem in a bid to restore calm.

"None of the goals of the revolution has been achieved. What are they celebrating for... because they won seats in parliament?" said Fahd Ibrahim, an anti-military protester.

But a Muslim Brotherhood member insisted the two camps had the same aims.

"We are here to mark one year since January 25. We also want to push for the goals of the revolution," said Essam Elsawy. "We want the same thing, but each is taking a different route."

Pro-democracy groups are planning several activities for Saturday, including more marches and another demonstration in Tahrir Square.

Protesters are all demanding an end to military trials of civilians, the restructuring of the interior ministry and a guarantee of freedoms and social justice.

But Islamists have been less vocal in demanding the military step down.

Earlier in Tahrir, Sheikh Mazhar Shahin, the imam leading weekly Muslim prayers, said that while the revolt had made impressive gains, the journey towards democratic rule was far from over.

"People came out on January 25, 2011 to call for freedom, justice, dignity and the end of a regime that spread all forms of corruption," Shahin told the crowd.

"They managed to remove the head of the regime in just 18 days and put some of its symbols behind bars. However, the revolution has not achieved all its goals and that is what brought people out on the streets again."

Mubarak is on trial in Cairo, facing accusations of involvement in the killing of protesters. His two sons, Alaa and Gamal, and several of his ministers are also in custody on charges of corruption.

But the trials have been criticised as politically motivated, aimed more at placating an angry public rather than providing justice.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has vowed to cede power to civilian rule by June when a new president has been elected, and has repeatedly pointed to the parliamentary elections as proof of its intention to abandon politics.

But protesters accuse the military of seeking to maintain some degree of control over Egypt even after June.

On Tuesday, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi announced the partial lifting of a decades-old state of emergency in an apparent bid to placate protesters.

But he said the law would still apply to cases of "thuggery," a move criticised by human rights groups and activists, who say the term is too broad and gives authorities free rein to stifle freedoms.

Leading dissident and Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei has proposed a new political timetable that calls for parliament "to elect an interim president immediately," followed by the formation of a panel to draft a new constitution.

In a statement on his Facebook page, ElBaradei said the new charter "must define the political system and guarantee a civil state, rights and freedoms" following "a year of fumbling."

Date created : 28/01/2012

Mass protest in Cairo for "dignity"

CAIRO, Jan. 27, 2012 (Xinhua) --

Tens of thousands of Egyptians staged a rally on Friday in central Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square, calling for "dignity".

The protestors called for the handover of power from the military to civilians, fast trials against ousted President Hosni Mubarak and his cronies, purging the national institutions from corruption, and ending military trials against civilians.

The protest was joined by youth groups and political parties such as the April 6 movement, Revolution Youth Coalition and the Muslim Brotherhood.

"The military forces should go back (to) its barracks and hand over power to the civilians," a member of the April 6 movement, Ahmed Abdullah told Xinhua, "If the demands are not met, the protestors will stage an open-ended sit-in."

Some protestors demanded presidential elections before the Shura Council (upper house of parliament) elections.

No serious clashes were reported during the protest.

A big gathering took place in Egypt on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the country's anti-government protests that toppled Mubarak last year.

The newly-elected People's Assembly (lower house of parliament) opened its first session on Monday. The Islamist-dominated People' s Assembly and the new Shura Council to be elected later will select a committee to draft a new constitution.

The two-stage Shura Council elections will begin on Sunday and end on Feb. 22. The presidential elections will be held in mid June, as the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forced has pledged to transfer power before June 30.

Editor: yan

Egyptians mark anniversary of revolution that toppled Mubarak

by Li Laifang, Marwa Yehia

CAIRO, Jan. 25, 2012 (Xinhua) --

Tens of thousands of Egyptians flocked on Wednesday to Tahrir Square in their capital Cairo to mark the first anniversary of the revolution that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak.

The protestors, from different political groups and places of the country, called for achieving social justice, fighting corruption and holding fast trials of former regime figures.

Other major cities such as Alexandria saw protests on Wednesday, a national holiday to mark the occasion. The protests were peaceful as of Wednesday evening. Some protestors shouted slogans against military rulers while others supported the army.

The April 6 movement intended to continue the sit-in until their demands were met, while other political powers decided to end the demonstration.

In a speech on Wednesday, Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri praised those who have sacrificed their souls for the sake of the nation and for freedom, democracy and social justice. The protests from Jan. 25 to Feb. 11 last year left about 800 people dead and more than 6,000 injured. Protests are common after the fall of Mubarak, which disturb economic recovery and deal a heavy blow to the tourism sector.

Egypt needs its citizens to work productively in different economic, service and social sectors so that they can harvest the fruits of fair distribution of national income, official MENA news agency quoted el-Ganzouri as saying.

"Fair punishment is what we all work on to give the rights of those heroes sacrificing their souls," Ganzouri said, urging the Egyptians to work in one line to implement their goals.

The trial of Mubarak over charges of ordering to kill protestors and corruption began on Aug. 3 last year and continues. If convicted, he will face death penalty, state media reported.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) said "a year has passed and there are many facts that will be disclosed when we return to our barracks ... When the secrets and facts are revealed, the Egyptians will be proud of their army."

The SCAF promised to "go back to the army units on June 30, when Egypt is wearing the clothes of freedom and democracy."

Muslim Brotherhood (MB) members and Salafists joined Wednesday' s protests. There were divisions among the participants, with some wanting a celebration of the unrest, while others seeing no achievements and vowing to continue to fight.

"We ask for fair retaliation and fast trials to make the people satisfied," Mohammad Fadl, a MB member, told Xinhua.

Due to the absence of policemen in the iconic Tahrir square, " popular committees" were formed at the entrances and the exits of the square to protect demonstrators and not allow thugs or criminals to fuel clashes among protestors.

The Health ministry said at least 122 people were injured due to stampedes in Tahrir Square.

The newly-elected People's Assembly (lower house of parliament) held its first session on Monday. Islamist parties won more than 70 percent of its seats. The Freedom and Justice Party, the political arm of the MB, accounts for 47 percent while the Salafist Nour Party 24 percent. Mohamed Saad Katatni, secretary general of the FJP, was elected its speaker. His two deputies were Abdel Alim Dawoud from Al-Wafd party and Ashraf Thabit from the Nour Party.

Hussein Tantawi, chairman of the ruling SCAF, announced on Tuesday the end of the state of emergency beginning from Wednesday except in thuggery cases. The emergency law has been in effective since 1981. To end the law was one of the basic demands of protestors.

Presidential elections will be held in mid-June. Tantawi promised to hand over power by the end of June, but some protestors insisted on an immediate power transfer.

Editor: yan

Egypt partially lifts state of emergency law

BEIJING, Jan. 25, 2012 (Xinhuanet) --

The head of Egypt's ruling military council said he has decided to lift the state of emergency law except in certain cases. Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi said the move would come into effect on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the start of the protests that led to the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

Mohamed Hussein Tantawi said "After the people had their say and elected their parliamentary representatives, who will take up their legislative and monitoring roles, I have taken the decision to end the state of emergency law in all parts of the republic, except when dealing with crimes of thuggery."

(Source: cntv.cn)

Editor: Lu Hui

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