The
victims were killed simply because of their religious identity, which
constitutes a crime against humanity. Both the terrorist groups and
Libyan authorities are responsible for these egregious murders.
There has been a systematic targeting of Copts in Libya
by Islamic Jihadi groups allied with Egyptian counterparts since the
fall of the Gaddafi regime. Such targeting includes the imprisonment
and torture of five Copts accused of "proselytizing" in Libya. One of the five, Ezzat Atallah, died under torture by Libyan state agencies. Coptic churches have been burned in Libya
and more than one hundred people have been detained and tortured during
this timeframe. Barbaric persecution of Copts has also included the
raping of women in front of their husbands.
The
Egyptian state's apathetic response to the obvious targeting of its
citizens is best illustrated by the words of the Egyptian Foreign
Ministry spokesman, Mr. Bader Abdul Ati. Mr. Ati attempted to justify this week's brutal murders by claiming that "Copts are not targeted in Libya,"
and that behind the crime lays "some criminal motives, in the context
of illegal immigration where there is disagreement between the victims
and gangs that were trying to smuggle them." Such false accusations and
irresponsible remarks are equally condemnable as the murders because it
casts blame on the victims and undermines any legitimate pursuit of
justice.
Coptic
Solidarity holds the Egyptian government responsible to protect and
advocate for the rights of its citizens. Blame shifting to the victims,
terrorists groups, and the Libyan authorities signals that others can
attack Copts worldwide with impunity.
We urge the Egyptian government to take the following immediate actions:
- The Egyptian National Security Council to issue a strong condemnation of this atrocity.
- Summon the Libyan Ambassador in Cairo and lodge a formal protest regarding the targeting of its citizens in Libya.
- Form an investigative commission, composed of Libyan and Egyptian authorities, in addition to a representative of a neutral international body, to investigate the circumstances of this heinous incident, and bring the perpetrators to an urgent trial.
- Demand that the Libyan government offer fair compensation to the families of the victims of this incident and previous incidents.
Coptic
Solidarity will monitor the actions of both the Libyan and Egyptian
governments to this incident and will advocate in defense of the victims
at international fora in the event of failure to adequately address the
incident.
Coptic Solidarity is non-profit organization dedicated to leading efforts to achieve equal citizenship for the Copts in Egypt.
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