Murder based on the difference in identity is a crime against humanity and the ACIJLP holds the Egyptian authorities the responsibility

Cairo June 25, 2013           

Murder based on the difference in identity is a crime against humanity and the ACIJLP holds the Egyptian authorities the responsibility

The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Professions (ACIJLP) expresses its full condemnation regarding all forms of violence, witnessed by the Egyptian arena at this time. The ACIJLP also expresses its strong dissatisfaction about the violent events witnessed in (Zawyet Abu Musallam village, Abo El Nomros, Giza Governorate) on Sunday, 23 July 2013 where 4 Egyptians victims were killed belong to the Shiite sect and dozens were wounded. The ACIJLP considered this event extrajudicial killing and on the basis of different identity or religious doctrines, and which constitutes a crime against humanity, according to international legislation and conventions.

The ACIJLP points out that this criminal incident and conditions and circumstances and differences sectarian between offenders and victims may have occurred as a result of sectarian congestion, a file that the Egyptian government rejects to approach it, and attempts to prevent the civil society organizations involved in research and the detection of its causes and attempts to develop practical solutions to remove any form of tension between Egyptian Muslims citizens of different sects, and Christians of different denominations.

The ACIJLP points out that the horror of these crimes that cannot be justified at all, does not fall within the scope of political or ideological differences in any way. Moreover, it is the product of deterioration and weakness observed in the role of Egyptian educational, religious and media institutions in the dissemination of a culture of tolerance and the acceptance of and respect for the other, resulting in growing levels of violence, excessive force and murder, and resorting to non-judicial and illegal frameworks in the resolution of conflicts and disputes.

The ACIJLP calls upon the relevant Egyptian authorities, not to tackle such issues, according to traditional methods, without investigating the causes and factors that lead to the occurrence of this kind of crime. The ACIJLP also calls the Egyptian authorities not to take such crimes as a pretext to expand in the exceptional proceedings and exceptional courts and the threat of the Egyptians constitutional rights.

The ACIJLP points out that the responsibility to protect the right to life in Egypt, and to protection the right to freedom of religion, is being held primarily to Egyptian security authorities, and that any violation of this right requires accountability and prosecution against those responsible for the protection of this right in accordance with the rules of criminal justice.

The ACIJLP calls upon the concerned Egyptian authorities to take prompt and urgent action, to prosecute and held accountable the perpetrators and instigators of this crime against humanity and bring them to a fair trial. The ACIJLP also calls upon the Egyptian government and its various organs, including security authorities, media, education, and religious institutions to carry out its responsibilities on security and social levels, to take the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such crimes, and to take the necessary legislative, administrative and judicial measures to promote a culture of tolerance, acceptance and respect for others, and to reject the culture of violence.

The ACIJLP calls upon the Egyptian citizens and civil societies to express their categorical rejection of such crimes, which lead to the pre-civil era and abbreviating the legacy of human civilization and the modern state, and to take the necessary measures to activate the principle of citizenship and equality, acceptance and respect for others.