The families of those who died in last year’s Cabinet clashes are using the one-year anniversary to reinvigorate their campaign for justice.
They are asking President Mohamed Morsy to remember the promises he made before the run-off elections, to try those responsible for killing revolutionary protestors.
Morsy’s 21 November decree would seem to be a commitment to this goal, its first article promises to “reopen the investigations and prosecutions in the cases of the murder, the attempted murder and the wounding of protesters as well as the crimes of terror committed against the revolutionaries by anyone who held a political or executive position under the former regime.”
This would seem to directly implicate those in the Supreme Council of Armed Forces who had executive power at the time of the Cabinet clashes.
However, Reham El-Sharkawy does not believe that justice will be brought against SCAF. “My brother was killed in the clashes,” said El-Sharkawy, “I think our president will never do anything because he made a deal with our army, with SCAF, he promised not to judge them.”
El-Sharkawy said that many of the victims’ families believe that Morsy made pledges to SCAF in order to help in his electoral victory. One of those pledges they believe was a reprieve from trial for the deaths from the Cabinet clashes.
“We need to take Tantawi to trial, and also Sami Anan and Hamdy Badeen,” said El-Sharkawy referring to the SCAF’s Field Marshal, lieutenant general, and head of military police at the time.
A Sunday statement from the victims’ families read, “the contrast between the speed of the investigation of the burning of the Scientific Compound and the slow progress in the case of the revolutionaries killed, reflects an imbalance in the priorities of the state.” The group added that in addition to this, the lack of justice is an affront to “human dignity.”
El-Sharkawy also pointed to Article 198 in the draft constitution, which she described as “very, very bad.” It reads, “the Military Judiciary is an independent judiciary that adjudicates exclusively in all crimes related to the Armed Forces, its officers and personnel.” El-Sharkawy believes this will ensure impunity for the former SCAF heads.
A memorial for the victims is set for 20 December. Families and friends will hold a silent vigil in Tahrir Square and hold banners with the images of the victims.
