Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Egypt: Playing Politics with Human Rights

The European Parliament last month adopted a resolution urging a number of reforms upon the Egyptian state. Amongst other things, the resolution called for enhancements of democracy and a greater respect for fundamental human rights.

Egypt practices only the most marginal form of democracy, despite much-touted reforms of the electoral process in 2005. President Hosni Mubarak has held the reins of power since the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981, and appears to be grooming his son Gamal for the nation's top job.

The resolution provoked an angry response from Egypt's government, and elicited mixed responses from its press. Some columnists indignantly evoked emotionally charged episodes of Egypt's past, while others urged a pragmatic approach to the affair.