Egypt security forces refused to assist Coptic Christians during mob attack which left 4 dead
Security forces stood by and failed to intervene during a brutal attack on Coptic Christians in Luxor, Amnesty International said in a new published statement this week.
Image/CIA
The report detail how a July 5 attack that lasted 18 hours, an angry mob armed with metal bars, knives and hammers attacked Coptic homes and businesses in Nagah Hassan, west of Luxor, after the dead body of a Muslim male was discovered nearby.
Despite repeated calls for help, security forces on scene failed to stave off the violence.
“It is outrageous that this attack was left to escalate unhindered in this way,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle East and North African Deputy Director of Amnesty International. “Amnesty International has documented a series of cases in the past where Egypt’s security forces used unnecessary force … yet in this case they held back, even though people’s lives were threatened.”
“A thorough, impartial and independent investigation must be conducted into the events in Luxor and the grossly inadequate response of the security forces to the attack.”
A Muslim man was found dead near Christian homes and the family blamed the death on a local Coptic Christian. More than 100 Christian homes had been attacked by mid-day with many looted and torched.
Local residents reported calling the police and army’s hotlines throughout the day in vain. Local religious leaders also approached other security officials.
“The attack went on for 18 hours, and there was not a door on which I did not knock: police, army, local leaders, the Central Security Forces, the Governorate. Nothing was done,” said Father Barsilious, a local priest from Dab’iya.
“The continued sectarian violence in Egypt is an irremovable stain on the record of successive governments which have repeatedly failed to end attacks on minorities,” said Sahraoui. “The latest attacks will test the new Egyptian authorities’ political will and their ability to break the pattern of inaction and injustice once and for all.”
