Tahrir Square, Epicenter Of Revolution 2011

25th January 2011 was the day that Egypt seemed to be on the verge of a new epoch of freedom, bread and justice. Arguably, the population had never enjoyed it before but certainly not since 1952 when the so-called Free Officers Movement swiped power from King Farouk (with Britain behind him). Since then, one priority has prevailed for the parade of presidents who have held power since, namely, staying in charge at any cost and indulging in all the riches that produces.

They have all gone to great lengths in diverse fronts, such as these two current examples.

The 40th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) came to a close this week and a leading Egyptian actress has just been charged for 'inducing debauchery' punishable by five years in prison for wearing a dress that revealed the tops of her legs during one of the events. Two lawyers who specialise in observing public figures to detect such matters, spotted her attire and pounced immediately on the grounds that she was causing insult to the country, its traditions and people. See Link A below.

Egyptian authorities continue to drag their feet and deny culpability over the murder of Italian PhD student, Giulio Regeni, who was picked up by security forces in Downtown Cairo on 25th January 2016 (the fifth anniversary of the Arab Spring Uprising), tortured for eight days in a nearby apartment and then dumped, naked and lifeless, on the Alex Desert Road, all for researching the history of the labour union movements in the country. Italy are raising the ante and demanding named Egyptian officers be put in the dock. See Link B.

Perhaps, getting rid of detention, torture and murder without charge should be prioritised over protecting the public mores from sights deemed too debasing to behold. A film of Regeni's fate will, no doubt, be made. I wonder who our two eagle-eyed lawyer friends will charge after its premier at a forthcoming CIFF.

Link A . . . https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46414052

Link B . . . https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/29/giulio-regeni-murder-italy-names-egyptian-national-security-agents-suspects?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other