'EGYPT'S BLOODY SUNDAY?'

PRESS CONFERENCE: UK Coptic Christian Community calls for a independent Egyptian judicial inquiry following the deaths of Christians killed in Cairo clashes

Date: 20th October 2011
Time: 10.30am-12pm
Venue: Central Hall Westminster
Storey's Gate
London
SW1H 9NH

 
In what has been dubbed, Egypt's own 'Bloody Sunday', several Coptic Christian organisations have called for a transparent state inquiry into the situation in Egypt.

The attack on Christian and Muslim protestors by the police and army on Sunday 9 October in Cairo resulted in the deaths of 26 Coptic Christians. The Egyptian Military have denied responsibility for the deaths despite damning video footage revealing their culpability.

Premier Christian Media in partnership with Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) are hosting a press conference to address the situation in Egypt. The press panel will feature:

• Mervyn Thomas- Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide
  
• His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Church, United Kingdom
  
• Activists from 3 leading UK based Coptic Christian organisations
  

The press conference will also present graphic photographic and video evidence taken from the Cairo protests, including exclusive footage.

In a press conference early last week, the Egyptian Military denied responsibility for the deaths, despite emerging video footage and eyewitness accounts revealing the brutal extent of the Army's actions towards the Copts. One piece of footage revealed the shocking moment a group of Coptic Christians were mowed down by an Army tanker.

Peter Kerridge, Chief Executive of Premier Christian Media Trust, organisers of the press conference, said:

"As a Christian media organisation, we recognise the powerful role the media has played in the current situation in Egypt- inciting the public to demonise Christians and see them further marginalised in Egyptian public life.

There are some incredible parallels with 'Bloody Sunday' when the British Army denied killing 26 innocent protestors in Northern Ireland all those years ago. History cannot repeat itself which is why we have partnered with Christian Solidarity Worldwide and the UK Coptic Christian Orthodox Church to call for an independent Egyptian judicial inquiry into this situation."

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said:

"I have just returned from Egypt, having met with senior Christian leaders from around the country. There is widespread concern amongst the Coptic community that the hopes for a free and just society for Egyptian citizens of all faiths, which were high in the immediate aftermath of the Tahrir Square Revolution, are slowly fading. Since January there have been a series of attacks on Christians and Church buildings, culminating in the shameful scenes witnessed on 9 October in Cairo. These events must be investigated as a matter of urgency in order to restore the confidence of all fair-minded Egyptians."

The Egyptian military have since stated that they will launch their own investigation in to the events of 9 October. However, there have been strong calls for an independent Egyptian  judicial Inquiry.  His Grace Bishop Angaelos  said of the Army's involvement:

" The Army used excessive lethal force against these peaceful demonstrators. This is the same army that said in January that it would 'not fire a single shot against an Egyptian citizen' and stood by and watched churches burned and Christians killed 'because it was not in a position to intervene' now used live ammunition and excessive force in this situation, firing lethal shots to the chest and head while armoured troop carriers were driven directly into crowds, mowing people down and killing many."

To attend the press conference and for more information contact:
sharon.molloy@Premier.org.ukor Tel: 020 7316 1335 Sharon Molloy
Kemi.Bamgbose@premier.org.uk Tel: 020 7316 1462 Kemi Caroline Bamgbose

 
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1.Premier Christian Media Trust is the largest Christian media organisation. For more information visit www.premier.org.uk

2.Christian Solidarity Worldwide is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice. For more information contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk  or visit www.csw.org.uk
 
3.The Coptic Orthodox Church is a mainstream, conservative and Scriptural Christian Church, the largest in the Middle East and one of the most ancient churches having been founded by Saint Mark The Apostle in the first century. There are now hundreds of Coptic churches throughout the world.The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre is the headquarters in the United Kingdom for the ecumenical, official and public relations of the church as well as a hubb for pastoral and youth ministry. For more information visit: www.copticcentre.com