Egyptian Canadian Coalition for DemocracyThe Farce of the Coup Constitution

In these days, Egyptians worldwide are commemorating the anniversary of the January 25th 2011 revolution.  We all remember how this revolution impressed everyone with its peacefulness and inspired the world with its strength.  The results of this glorious revolution included the first ever democratic procedure in Egypt’s history and the election of the first ever democratically elected civilian president in Egypt’s history.

This year, while we relive the memories of this great revolution, Egypt is living a state of complete collapse of its democratic systems as a result of the July 3rd military coup that brutally ended the fledgling democratic experience.  The military coup canceled the results of five free votes (two (2) Referenda, two (2) parliamentary elections and the presidential elections), suspended the constitution approved by 63% of Egyptian voters, and kidnapped the legal president of Egypt Dr. Mohamed Morsi.

In an attempt to attain recognition before the international community, the coup government appointed unelected committee to write a new constitution draft.  This illegal committee eliminated all the Egyptian factions opposing the military coup.  They wrote the constitution draft in a politically-tense environment contaminated with gross human rights violations as testified to by many international organizations.

The military-appointed government moved to put the controversial constitution document to a referendum for Egyptians inside and outside the country.  More than 85% of voters boycotted this referendum which was carried out amid a strong propaganda campaign from the state-controlled media to guide the voters to say “yes”.  Anyone who dared to express criticism for this illegal document was arrested.  During the two days of voting, twelve Egyptians were murdered by the coup forces and scores were injured during peaceful protests to condemn the referendum.

We, member of the Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD), reject this constitution draft, the results of the referendum, and any subsequent steps based on the referendum, for the following reasons:

  1. The illegal constitution draft makes the military above the state.  The referendum legalizes this situation, gives the army the chance to eliminate any democratically elected government in the future.

  2. The “road map” suggested by coup was imposed by the military and was never a result of a national consensus.

  3. This flawed constitution document is a result of an illegal non-elected committee that does not represent Egyptians.

  4. Thousands of Egyptian martyrs who were murdered by the military gave their lives to protect the democracy that this constitution document destroys.  This document effectively establishes a military fascism in which Egyptians are denied the basic human and political rights guaranteed by international conventions.

  5. The climate in which the referendum was carried out is toxic.   Most leaders of the opposition were imprisoned and only military-controlled media was allowed to operate.  Independent journalists were arrested or denied the right to freely report the incidents inside the country.

  6. There was no independent monitoring of the voting process.  The military and its allies had full control on the voting ballots.  All respectable international organization like the Carter institution have declined to monitor the voting process because they are convinced that it was fraudulent process.

The ECCD reiterates its stance that the January 25th revolution against the new oppressors will not stop.  The ECCD will continue to support the people of Egypt inside the country until the revolution achieves its targets of freedom, democracy and social justice for all Egyptian.

 

Egyptians Worldwide for Democracy and Justice (EW4DJ)Egyptians Worldwide for Democracy and Justice (EW4DJ) Calls for Boycotting the Constitution Referendum

Councilor Adly Mansour, the military-appointed president of Egypt, has called recently on Egyptian voters to participate in a referendum on the constitution drafted by a military-appointed committee composed of 50 members.

EW4DJ, as a representative of a wide segment of expatriate pro-democracy Egyptians, rejects this constitution draft and calls for the return of the democratically elected institutions.  EW4DJ also calls for the return to the democratic route that was approved by Egyptian voters on March 19th, 2011.

EW4DJ rejection of the constitution and the referendum is based on many reasons.  These reasons include the following:

  1. Egypt lives under a state of terror imposed on the population by the military coup.  Thousands of peaceful pro-democracy supporters have been killed by the coup army and police forces.  Tens of thousands are behind bars in humane conditions with many believed to have been tortured.  Free newspapers and TV stations have been shut down.  Only the ones under state control or under the control of pro-coup supporters were left to operate.  The crimes of the coup have put the country on the verge of a civil war and in such a climate, a fair and transparent voting is not possible.
  2. The referendum is illegal and the person calling for it, the military-appointed councilor Mansour, is also an illegal president.   He is a puppet in the hands of the military coup with no real legitimacy.
  3. The military coup itself, according to international law, is illegal.  As a consequence, all actions of the coup authorities, including the formation of the constitution drafting committee and the declaration of a road map, are illegitimate.  The Egyptian people, both inside and outside the country, will not accept the illegitimate constitution draft as basis for the future of the country.
  4. The suggested constitution draft contains many flawed clauses that undermine all the gains of the revolution of January 25th, 2011.  These clauses allow the militarization of the state and the creation of a military fascism.  It also puts the position of the minister of defence and the military above state laws.
  5. Egypt has already a constitution that 64% of Egyptians voted in favor in 2012.  The unelected committee appointed by Councilor Mansour has no authority to change the constitution of 2012 which was created by members elected by the Egyptian nation.

Egyptians Worldwide for Democracy and Justice (EW4DJ), while rejecting the military coup and all subsequent measures taken by the coup authorities, calls for Egyptians both inside and outside the country to boycott the referendum.  We call on our people to continue protesting and resisting the bloody coup by all peaceful means until its eventual defeat.  ED4DJ values the great sacrifices our people are making to recover democracy and to put the country on the right track again.

Egyptians Worldwide for Democracy and Justice

Paul Dewar - NDP Foreign Critic

Since the ousting and detention of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi in July, the situation in Egypt has been extremely precarious, and often disturbingly violent. Human rights groups have expressed serious concern over political violence committed in the wake of the assumption of power by the Egyptian military, and the deterioration of an effective rule of law. The repeated extension of the state of emergency has further aggravated tensions.

Women, religious minorities, and peaceful protesters have been particularly vulnerable, and attacks continue to be perpetrated with impunity. Regardless of gender, religion, or ethnicity, all Egyptians must be free to express their beliefs peacefully and publicly. 

The Canadian government must continue urging Egyptian authorities to uphold basic human rights and support democratic liberties including freedom of the press and peaceful association.

The Canadian government should also encourage Egyptian authorities to work in collaboration with civil society and the international community in establishing a roadmap to restore full democracy under civilian control. An effective and respectful relationship between civil society and the state can help Egypt become a democratic example for its neighbours and a powerful force for moderation in the region. 

I am proud to stand with Egyptians and Egyptian-Canadians in supporting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Egypt.

Launch of "Egyptians Worldwide for Democracy and Justice"

For immediate release

Ottawa, December 2nd, 2013

The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) invites members of the local and international media to the launch of the Egyptians Worldwide for Democracy and Justice (EW4DJ).

The event will take place on Monday December 2nd, 2013, 11:00 AM at Charles Lynch Press Room, Parliamentary Press Gallery, House of Parliament, Ottawa.

The objectives, structure and plans of EW4DJ, an international network of Egyptian groups worldwide committed to democracy and respect for human rights in Egypt, will be announced at the press conference.

Similar press conferences will take place worldwide this week.

 

Information: 

Samaa Elibyari     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     1-514-805-3220

Osama Elkhodary  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   1-613-265-6509

Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy

ECCD Statement Regarding the 5th Anniversary of January 25th Revolution

 

On the fifth anniversary of the January 25, 2011 revolution in Egypt, the Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) is demanding the the Canadian Government not ignore the ever deteriorated situation in Egypt.

The last two and a half years, since the military coup of 2013, Egypt has seen mass killings, human rights violations and politicized death and jail sentences the likes of which have never been seen before.

The fake democratic smoke screen and the so-called elections of the president and parliament after the coup have no credibility and are an insult to anyone who believes in true democracy.

All Egyptians, women, children and men, even those who have no involvement in politics or activism are suffering greatly as state apparatuses are collapsing. Health, education, transportation, security and all other services are lacking or crumbling.

On this day we salute the sacrifice of the Egyptian people and urge the people and government of Canada to make any dealing with the current Egyptian regime conditional to its respect of human rights and freedoms.

About ECCD: Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) is a politically independent, non-affiliated pan Canadian organization with chapters in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver, and Kingston, which advocates for democracy and human rights in Egypt.

For more information:
www.eccd.ca
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.