Anger and chaos in Egypt's meeting to 'protect revolution'

2011-05-08 00:29:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- Over 3000 participants called during Egypt's first national conference for political forces for the release of detainees who have been held captive since the January 25 Revolution, Ahram online reported Saturday.

Political figures, scholars and activists attended the first session of the First Conference of Egypt, whose slogan ‎is "The people defend their revolution." Many of the participants chanted against the new legislation criminalizing sit-ins and strikes, and the referral of civilians to military courts.

"No military trials for civilians!", "We want our detained brothers!" and "The legitimacy ‎belongs to the revolution and the people!" were among the slogans that echoed at the ‎Cairo International Conference Centre.

Some controversial statements sparked anger and criticisms from the attendees, such as the speech by Tahani Al-Gebali, the first Egyptian female judge. She stressed that Islamic Sharia is the only legitimate jurisprudence, which contradicts with the principles of liberals and Copts who want the nation to be civic and not religious based.

Most Egyptian political forces are taking part in the event, except the Muslim ‎Brotherhood, which decided to snub the government-sponsored conference.

The meeting comes months after Hosni Mubarak, who led Egypt as president for three decades, stepped down after weeks of anti-government protests by crowds calling for greater democracy and respect of human rights.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-08

Some controversial statements sparked anger and criticisms from the attendees, such as the speech by Tahani Al-Gebali, the first Egyptian female judge. She stressed that Islamic Sharia is the only legitimate jurisprudence, which contradicts with the principles of liberals and Copts who want the nation to be civic and not religious based.

If when the Muslim brotherhood get in it's goodbye to human rights for Copts, women and liberals. I would add that said liberals are Egyptian liberals, as oppose to western liberals who ignore blatant denial of human rights provided such abuse takes place in someone else's back yard, unless of course that someone happens to be Israel.