Egypt: Ousting of Hosni Mubarak is not enough

Photo: We are all Khaled Said.

It is no secret that yesterday 11 February 2011 marked the end of a 30-year-old oppressive dictatorial regime in Egypt; a regime that tortured thousands of Egyptians and claimed many lives. After 30 years in power, Hosni Mubarak was kicked out of the presidential palace in Cairo by peaceful protesters calling for democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Egypt. The ousting of Mubarak is good news, but it is not enough.

Hundreds of civilians lost their lives during the 18-day struggle for human rights that culminated in the ousting of Mubarak. Human Rights Watch estimates that about 302 protesters were killed during the peaceful uprising that met with brutal police crackdown.

Today, Egyptians and the rest of the world rightfully celebrate the historic fall of a strongman, but it should be noted that the ousting of an autocratic regime is not enough since it does not guarantee justice for the many victims of oppression and systematic police brutality under the regime.

The military which acted responsibly to an extent during the protests, should work in close collaboration with the Egyptian people and ensure a peaceful transition to a democratic civilian rule.

The government of Egypt after Hosni Mubarak should bring all perpetrators of torture and other forms of violations under the 30-year-old Mubarak regime to justice. Until then, the ousting of Hosni Mubarak is not enough.

Victims of violations under Mubarak are uncountable - including Khaled Mohammed Said, Ahmed Shaaban and many others.

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