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![]() MB deputy chairman talks about 7 demands in petition for change
The Muslim Brotherhood calls on all Egyptians to effectively and positively participate in the campaign calling for political reform by signing the online petition calling for 7 points for change.
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Friday, July 9,2010 15:17 | ||||||||||||
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Do you expect an escalation will be triggered by Egypt 's ruling regime against the MB in retaliation for their participation in such a campaign? Does the MB's participation mean they will politically support Mohamed ElBaradei if he decides to run in the upcoming presidential elections? What type of relationship is perceived between the NAC and MB in the present and future? Is the campaign a response to the failure of any of the Brotherhood candidates to secure seats in the 2010 Shura Council mid-term elections or is it purely an attempt to pressure Egypt 's ruling regime ahead of the forthcoming elections? These and other questions presented to Dr. Rashad al-Bayoumi, Deputy Chairman for the Muslim Brotherhood, in an interview as follows:
In his initiative for reform at the Journalists Syndicate, former MB Chairman Mohamed Mahdi Akef demanded change and the Muslim Brotherhood deputies have also demanded it inside the parliamentary dome and abroad. It was therefore only natural that the Muslim Brotherhood participate in such a campaign. Ikhwanweb: Some observers believe that the Brotherhood's announcement to join the campaign came in response to the poor results of the Shura elections. Bayoumi: These are groundless allegations and there is no connection between the Shura election results and the campaign. The regime has demonstrated it has no intention for political reform hence the notion to initiate the petition. The continued violations by the regime targeting political opposition in the form of military tribunals, unjust arrests and indefinite detentions demonstrate the authority's true intention for monopolizing authority and no real effort for reform. The call for change and the petition are not affiliated with the election results however the call has been induced in protest to the regime's policy of quelling freedom of speech and participation in all elections including Shura, Parliamentary, Trade Union, Club, and Student Councils The system continues to endorse such measures as torture which is a breach to the constitution and continues to be imposed as a result of the 'emergency law' which has been in force for over 30 years. The latest victims include 28 year old Khaled Saed who died as a result of police brutality and the 18 year old who had attempted to escape police torture falling out of the 4th floor window at the police's headquarters. Ikhwanweb: Does the Brotherhood's active participation in the campaign mean they will support ElBaradei if he decides to run for presidency? The campaign is not limited to aspects of elections in fact it calls on numerous issue and elections is but one aspect of the whole picture. Vote-rigging, suppression of free speech, continuation of the state of emergency and torture are all very serious threats which have exceeded the limits of decency and what happened in the recent Shura Council elections is a disgrace to the people and the ruling regime. The regime must be on the alert because degradation will inevitably lead to the collapse of the NDP and the whole country. Ikhwanweb: If so, what are the reasons behind the delay in kicking off the campaign? Ikhwanweb: A number of media sources discussed a memo sent by younger MB members who abstained from taking part in the petition before obtaining assurances from ElBaradei ahead of commencing the campaign what is your response to this? Ikhwanweb: Have you received any objections in this context from the younger Muslim Brotherhood members? Ikhwanweb: What is the expected number of signatures for such a campaign? Ikhwanweb: Some believe that the vigorous Brotherhood's participation in the campaign means they have entered a hornet's nest and failed a diplomatic tug-of-war between the two? Ikhwanweb: Is there a common interest between the Brotherhood and ElBaradei that prompted the two sides to join forces? Do the Brothers want ElBaradei to put in a good word for the MB especially as he is well-known and highly respected internationally? Ikhwanweb: There is an ongoing crisis between Dr. ElBaradei and members of the National Assembly for Change and the differences are increasing daily; in fact it coincided with the Brotherhood's accession of the campaign to collect signatures backed by NAC members, including Dr. ElBaradei, will these differences affect the success of the campaign? Bayoumi: There is no doubt that there are differences between members of the Assembly and Dr. ElBaradei and the Brothers role is to combine all the efforts and agree upon non-controversial points, such as the seven demands. Everyone should be aware that these differences pose a great threat and must end to achieve the desired objectives. Ikhwanweb: Is there mediation from brothers for reconciliation between the two sides? Ikhwanweb: What is the MB Deputy's message to the Brotherhood masses and the Egyptians on the campaign signatures? Ikhwanweb: How can we deal with the Egyptian citizen's fears and obsessions? Ikhwanweb: These signatures are not formally adopted and have no official status, and therefore, some see it as fruitless. Ikhwanweb: Finally... Will there be further development if a certain number of signatures is reached to organize a general strike, widespread civil disobedience or anything else? |
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tags: ElBaradei / Political Reform / Constitutional Amendments / Egyptian Opposition / MB Deputy / Political Reform
Posted in MB News , Reform Issues |
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