 The undersigned Coptic organizations condemn and deplore the barbarian and brutal attacks against the historical Abu Fana Monastery in Mallawi, Minya Province, Egypt. The attack began between 2pm-5pm on Saturday, May 31st, and continued through the night. It is important to note that this is not the first time the monastery has been exposed to such a brutal militant attack perpetrated by a mob. This militant attack took place in broad daylight directly under the sight and ‘protection’ of the security officers.
This armed attack on Abu Fana Monastery resulted in four monks injured by bullet wounds, and the kidnapping of three other monks: Maximos, Andraous, and Youanas. The three kidnapped monks were returned on Sunday, June 1st, after having been tortured and beaten. Injuries sustained by these monks include fractured and broken bones.
Roughly 60 aggressors, who carried automatic weapons, carried out the armed attack on the monastery. This attack resulted in great damage to the monastery, including the theft of equipment, burning and destruction of the monastery’s farms, and the complete destruction of the monastery’s farm equipment like tractors…
At the same time the 3 monks were kidnapped, a Christian man named Ibrahim Tiqi Riad, brother of Father Mina, was also kidnapped. His fate is still unknown.
Such crimes, including other armed attacks on churches and shops owned by Coptic Christians, take place in broad daylight in a planned, systematic manner that suggests that the target is genocide of the Copts in order to weaken their existence, eliminating them both morally and physically.
The undersigned Coptic organizations does not, and will not, tolerate these crimes and attacks committed against the Copts. These crimes and attacks are incompatible with all the international declarations for human rights. We will escalate our campaign to the highest international level.
Despite the seriousness of this matter, the authorities have failed to respond in a timely manner. The security service’s negligence suggests their collaboration with the attackers.
Because of the provocative statement made by Major General Ahmed Dia Eldin (the Governor of El Minya) that this incident is “an ordinary quarrel over disputed land between neighbors,” and that “fire was exchanged on both sides;” we assert that the monks were unarmed and do not own weapons. The attackers totaled approximately 60 people who were carrying automatic weapons. The Governor also alleged that one Muslim was killed during the attacks.
Note that these statements by the government will have a negative impact on the integrity and transparency of the investigation, and gives the State Security the opportunity to change the facts.
State Security Director Major General Mohammed Nour Eldin accused some monks with charges of “inciting” the Christian citizens to clash with other residents in Mallawi. It is totally illogical to attribute such things to the monks, who have dedicated their lives to quiet prayer in the desert.
We, the undersigned organizations, demand an appeal to the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council to form an international fact-finding committee to ascertain the causes of the armed attacks against the property and lives of the monks at Abu Fana Monastery. We also demand that the Egyptian government takes action immediately to protect the lives and property of the Copts.
The undersigned organizations:
1. Coptic Association for Human Rights, Switzerland
2. Coptic Canadian Association
3. United Copts Great Britain
4. Coptic Assembly of America
5. Coptic Association of France
6. Coptic Organization of the Netherlands
7. Middle East Christian Union in Austria
8. The Voice of the Copts, Italy
9. Middle East Christians Association
10. Christian Copts of California
11. The Cultural Organization of Coptic Intellectuals, France
12. Australian Coptic Organization
13. The International Coptic Federation
14. The Austrian Coptic Organization
15. Coptic Assembly of America, California Chapter
16. The Word Center for Human Rights in Cairo
17. Free Copts
18. International Christian Union of USA
19. American Coptic Association
Mr. Hanna Zaki, Selim Naguib, and Awad Shafik, Attorneys at Law, will be responsible for filing the international complaints.
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