The Australian Coptic Movement Association (ACM) is deeply concerned about the ongoing displacement of Egypt's Coptic Christians from their homes and villages throughout Egypt.
Even more concerning, the Egyptian Government is helping to transfer Copts instead of affording them protection. Yet there are at least 12 million indigenous Coptic Christians in Egypt, and it is the State's duty of care to protect them, not transfer them.
There have been at least three major incidents reported in the mainstream media this year alone – including displacements and forced evictions near Alexandria, Giza and now in Rafah on the border with Israel aswell unconfirmed reports of further evictions in Southern Egypt.
Such events will only encourage more divisions within Egyptian society, thereby creating a precedent for further State-sponsored displacement of Egypt's Coptic Christians.
The following excerpt is copied from President Obama's speech at the UN Security Council:
"The future must not belong to those who target Coptic Christians in Egypt – it must be claimed by those in Tahrir Square who chanted "Muslims, Christians, we are one." The future must not belong to those who bully women – it must be shaped by girls who go to school, and those who stand for a world where our daughters can live their dreams just like our sons."
The ACM welcomes President Obama's commentary; however, the US Administration is failing to act and address the grave situation in Egypt.
We are also deeply concerned about the large number of Egyptian Christians and other non-Muslims who have been arrested on blashpemy charges following facebook activities. We call for their immediate release.
So, as we approach the first anniversary of the infamous Maspero Massacre, we call upon the Egyptian judicial system to bring justice to the families of the 28 victims who were killed by the military and the 500 persons who were injured.
