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Showing posts with label journalists detained. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journalists detained. Show all posts
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Egypt: Shaking up the Middle East and Suppressing Freedom of Speech
There is little doubt at Incoming BYTES that the last 12 days of revolution offer serious implications reaching far beyond Egypt's dusty borders. With President Hosni Mubarak defiantly clings to power, warning of "chaos" if he steps down. Perhaps Hosni not been paying attention, or is he suffering from shock or delusion? Most citizens in real life have experienced, felt the pain, and observed the chaos he has already created and sanctioned in the last two weeks.
Mubarak still stubbornly resisting removal in spite of massive protests by anti-government demonstrators, and deaths, mayhem, whipping and destruction by pro-Mubarak forces, Mubarak has yet to step down, has no intention to do so, and there is no clear transfer of power to any transitional opposition occurring as recommended by foreign governments world-wide.
Repercussions of the revolution continue as saboteurs blew up a gas line to Israel, France has suspended all sales of arms to Egypt, and the whole world is unsettled as it anticipates a "new regime" yet to be decided, if it is formed at all.
Will the Muslim Brotherhood, learned clerics, or even religious fanatic factions influence, participate in, or even form the next Egyptian government? Will the next government of Egypt fashion itself in the image of Iran? Should the free world sanction a "new Egyptian government" that could, in the extreme of fanaticism, be "sworn to destroy Israel"? I think not. All human beings have a right to exist in peace.
How is the world to know what is happening as journalists are attacked, beaten, detained, and harassed as their equipment is smashed? One Egyptian journalist, Ahmed Mohammed Mahmud, shot by a sniper during the melee between opposing forces has already died. Many foreign journalists have been beaten badly, arrested, interrogated, and ordered detained in their hotels as Mr. Mubarak's government "protects" them. Do tell.
Therein lies the root of skepticism as a lack of credibility is clearly demonstrated.
How should the world react if freedom of speech is not clearly restored ? Is the true intent of Mubarak's regime to remain hidden or disguised? In spite of the blood shed in this revolution, is there any genuine intent by the Egyptian government to initiate a peaceful transition other than superficial changes made in the thin veneer of deceit ?
There are many questions that must be answered.
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