A reflection on our week's efforts.
Mr. Mohamed Ismail arranged for a group of us { Akram Boktor from NY, Moustafa ElDesoky from CA, Mohamed Ismail from TN, and myself from VA} joined with Medea Benjamin head of Code Pink , accompanied by Melissa Turner,Paki Wieland and Tighe Barry.
Human Rights Watch Director who came from New York. Mr.Joe Stork. Mr. Stork was so pleased to see the UN Human Rights violation report which just came out of Geneva provided to us by Madam Maisa and Mada Magda , both Egyptian activists in Europe.both reports came to the same conclusion of human rights violations in Egypt.
Mr.Bokor had a very important role of indicating that Copts and Muslims are equally oppressed in Egypt and the myth that Sisi and his system likes to spread that Egypt issues are sectarian differences is basically non existence.
We headed to Senator Bob Corker and Senator Lamar Alexander 's breakfast meeting . Had a chance to speak w. both of them and their staff on Sisi's failed system, human rights violations, the 60000 political prisoners and the prison and system's abuse to all the sick Egyptians in prison , I specifically covered the shame of the rape and abuse to our Egyptian girls and women in prison.
After the breakfast meeting , we headed to their office , met w. 4 of their office head staff , provided them w. photos of seven prisoners w. cancer, one of them is 93 years old man. Mr. Stork, the head of human rights watch provided in writing and verbal details his organization's report, how they did it even though Egyptian government denied them access to Egypt and the prisons, yet they managed to document 19 specific cases. The questions were lengthy and very direct. The staff wanted exact answers to comparison between past governments abuse and the current system. The conclusion hands down was that Sisi's regime surpassed any other level or torture in and out of prison, and the systematic disappearance of oppositions has never been that bad before. We did share the photo of Sisi's speech of no police will be punished if he shoots an Egyptian. Mr.Stork emphasized that the police has been emboldened under Sisi regime even when dealing w. civic non political issues. They shoot on the spot. We discussed the withholding of the funds but we asked for more steps to deal w. Sisi and his team.The significance of visiting Senator Corker and Senator Alexander and their staff on foreign relation is the fact that one of them heads the US foreign relation committee.
We visited another very important senator and his office , we hold the name confidential per their request so that they can speak freely and regularly w. us. This meeting was so important in the information shared , we presented the reports we had plus photos of 7 imprisoned men w. Cancer one of them is 93 years old.They shared with us that there are also 29 Egyptian American in the Egyptian prison. They shared the good news regarding the new law which identifies any person torturing or involved in any way in torturing another person in the world under the political regime , this person will be identified in the US , will be prohibited from entering the US and his assets will be frozen in the US.There are two Egyptian names already approved and documented in the list but there are more being currently identified from Egypt..
The hard news is that we were informed that many governments including Saudi Arabia, the Emirates , Israel , Netanyahu, APEC , are all lobbying for Sisi and his regime which makes our mission much harder yet the offices encouraged us to meet with other senators and congress on a regular basis to inform and educate on issues.
After this busy but productive day in DC , we headed to New York to participate w. the UN activities.We were very fortunate to meet first with a Turkish sympathizer to Egyptians and their hope for democracy. He introduced us to Istanbul Parliament representative with whom we had a friendly and lengthy conversation, we met with many other dignitaries who we found to be very friendly and understanding to Egypt wish for democracy and freedom.
Our efforts were rewarded by visiting with Turkey's first lady who was so gracious and supportive of human rights to a point that she gave me a very warm and sincere hug.
We finally had the fortune of meeting president Erdogan in a very small setting , I had the pleasure of asking him if he has a message for the Egyptians and he recorded his message by saying that he and Turkey support and stand w. all oppressed Egyptians.
After a day and half of visiting w. the Turkish delegation , we spent a day with the Egyptians from journalists to activists to TV casters.
We exchanged the view of our displeasure of the split and division among Egyptians, the bad taste of using vulgar language from any side whether it is Sisi's supporters or other oppositions. I also made it clear to all that blood relation is sacred to all regardless of political preference, family first and above all. I made it clear that I refuse to attend any demonistration where people use vulgar language. We must uphold our level of civility , learn to differ with respect.
At the end I thank Mohamed Ismail for his efforts in arranging the meeting , Mr. Boktor for his help and Mr. El Dosoky for coming all the way from California.
Mr. Stork for all his efforts to join us , Miss Medea for always standing w. human rights.
Samia Harris
Sep. 23rd, 2017
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