Jan. 5, 2000
30
Coptic Christian Killed, and Hundreds Wounded
2 Churches Destroyed
A
different
start for the new millennium in Upper Egypt. The government Moslem Militias had
committed a huge massacre against the Coptic Christians in Souhag. Until now 30
are believed to be killed during the well-planed massacre, hundreds wounded, and
more than 500 houses and stores destroyed by Moslems.
On
the last two weeks Moslems in the area of El-Kosheh, Awlad Touk, and Dar El
salam have attacked and destroyed 2 Churches in that region. The police did not
take any action to arrest or investigate these crimes. On Sunday Jan 2, 2000 the
police closed all the roads around the area of El Kosheh, and two neighboring
villages. In the same time tens of Moslem militia fired upon the Christians who
happen to be coming out of Sunday Church services from the roofs of houses. On
the same night the local authority cut off the electricity from the area to give
a better chance for Moslems to continue performing the massacre. Mean while most
of Christians’ houses have been set on fire. The perpetrators attack the
Christians inside their homes killing women and children with automatic weapons.
Some Christians were found dead in their farm near by, and some of them killed
when tried to flee the killing fields.
Two Bishops representing Pope Shenouda went to investigate, and report the massacre. They kept hostages by Moslem militia for hours until released by Police, who never arrest perpetrators.
Until
now the government denied any connection with the massacre or the perpetrators,
despite the fact that the police helped the militias committing the massacre
without any intervention from the government. Instead they helped them achieve
their crime by closing the exits of the villages to prevent anyone to escape the
killing fields. As a result of this massacre 30 Christians are confirmed killed,
hundreds wounded, and more than 500 homes and businesses have been looted and
destroyed.
The
Role of the Moslem Government of Egypt:
·
The government provides weapons to the militia as well as protection.
Days before the incident, the police never investigate the destruction of two
Churches in the area, giving the signal of free season to kill Christians.
·
The government confiscated the self-defense weapons of the Coptic
Christians.
·
Closing roads and ways around the area indicates the implication of the
government to insure the success of the massacre.
·
Cutting off electricity from the area allowed the Moslems to committing
this massacre.
·
The police prevented any Human Rights Organization from approaching the
area and gave a chance for Moslems terrorists to flee the place.
ACU
Requests immediately:
·
United Nations to intervene militarily as soon as possible to stop more
massacres from happening again, by sending peace keeping force, like Bosnia, and
Kosovo.
·
Alike East Timor, the racist Moslem police and army must withdraw from
the area of Upper Egypt. Our experience showed that all massacres have been
committed and planed with the help of the police who never intervene to stop
atrocities.
·
The confiscated weapons by the government must be returned to the
Christians for self-defense
·
The Congress must organize an urgent Public Hearing, and investigation.
·
Christian Solidarity Worldwide, International Red Cross, Doctors Without
Borders should provide medical assistance to the wounded victims, the National
Council of Churches, all American Churches are invited to provide help to
victims families, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, and Amnesty International
should arrange international investigations of the massacre.
·
USA and UN must address and take action sooner rather than later
providing protection to the Christians indigenous people of Egypt, to prevent
another Rwanda.
xxx