Category: Translated Articles

Can we venture to declare that Egypt has arrived at a new and dangerous turning point? Yes and no. For although nothing significant has materialized recently, the specter of a major shift looms. While our capacity to act, to take initiative, or even to think has been completely crippled

I have long known that the contemporary Egypt in which I was raised could easily produce a figure like General Ibrahim Abd al-Ati and his ill-famed sham device for vanquishing AIDS and hepatitis C. I knew that Egypt’s security doctrine could enable the killing of a young man like Giulio Regeni under torture, without the slightest trace of guilt.

Hundreds were detained in the week leading up to the April 25 protests, including well-known activists and journalists. Some were detained when the police conducted arbitrary round-ups of young people from coffee shops ahead of the protest, and others were arrested while courageously demonstrating. I personally know seven of those detained — brave souls who are paying a hefty price to preserve their basic humanity.

The significance of the transitional roadmap lies in whether it is capable of ushering Egypt out of the current crisis. The transitional government presented it as such, but the question that remains unanswered is whether it will indeed save the day or deepen the political rift.