25 Dec 11
Originally posted by shavixmirIt seems like there are still reactionary elements in the security forces, but that is only natural I suppose, given how the ancien regime collapsed not too long ago.
http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1013/Buitenland/article/detail/3081981/2011/12/19/Egyptisch-leger-takelt-vrouw-toe.dhtml
It's Dutch, but scroll down to the bottom of the page and watch the video.
Yup. Sure looks like things have become better...
I wouldn't say individual and relatively isolated cases of institutional oppression necessarily undermine the future of the revolution.
26 Dec 11
Originally posted by SakeWhat makes you think the conduct of the police are more "nation-defining" than the conduct of other government bodies, or its civilian population?
The mindset of a nation is shown how its police/army/securityforces operate.
Why this special importance allocated to the police? If anything the Arab Spring, and even the Occupy protests reveal that the security forces (and by extension the authorities in charge of the repression of such popular outbursts) are quite out of touch with the real "mindset of a nation".
26 Dec 11
Originally posted by shavixmirThey just had elections in Egypt, did they not?
Well, so far, besides loads of dead civilians:
- Egypt: a military dictatorship
- Libya: Dunno, but it sure as hell ain't democracy
- Syria: Yeah... that's goin' really well
Arab Spring...
I'm not sure even if most of the countries are Arab...
26 Dec 11
Originally posted by shavixmirWhat about Tunisia?
Well, so far, besides loads of dead civilians:
- Egypt: a military dictatorship
- Libya: Dunno, but it sure as hell ain't democracy
- Syria: Yeah... that's goin' really well
Arab Spring...
I'm not sure even if most of the countries are Arab...
26 Dec 11
Originally posted by KazetNagorraThe journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
Or Bahrain, Yemen, or numerous other countries which saw protests...
There's been some progress in virtually all those countries (Yemen's "President" recently stepped down, Egypt has started free elections, etc.).
27 Dec 11
Originally posted by shavixmirOh well, Rome wasn't built in a day, the same applies to the new democracy in Egypt.
Did they?
Oh, but it's still a military dictatorship...
In related news, it seems arbitrary exercise of power by the security forces is not just swept under the carpet, but is now addressed by the country's judicial system:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16339398
"A Cairo court has ordered forced virginity tests on female detainees in military prisons to be stopped.
The court made the decision after a case was brought by protester Samira Ibrahim.
She accused the Egyptian army of forcing her to undergo a virginity test after she was arrested during a protest in Tahrir Square in March.
"The court orders that the execution of the procedure of virginity tests on girls inside military prisons be stopped," judge Aly Fekry, head of Cairo administrative court said, according to Reuters."