Egypt: The Education Of The Generals
\nBy William Fisher – The Public Record – Aug 12th, 2011<\/p>\n
While the leaders of Egypt\u2019s revolution argue with the ruling generals about when to hold elections and when to rewrite the Constitution, many Egypt experts are saying that the problem central to the success of the revolution is being cosmeticized or ignored altogether: Overhaul of the government security apparatus.<\/p>\n
\u201cComprehensive reform of the security state \u2014 and specifically, the Ministry of Interior and its sub-organizations, the \u2018bowels\u2019 of Mubarak\u2019s repressive state apparatus \u2014 is crucial if Egyptians are to establish a democratic society based on the rule of law,\u201d says one such expert, Samer S. Shehata, professor of Arab Politics at Georgetown University.<\/p>\n
Shehata charges that during the Mubarak administration, \u201censuring the regime\u2019s survival, not protecting the citizenry or upholding the rule of law, was its primary function.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking at a conference organized by Jadaliyya magazine, Shehata said, \u201cAbsent was the understanding that the police and the security forces more generally, are not above the law or immune from accountability. In fact, Habib El-Adly, the despised former Minister of Interior, now on trial, changed the police\u2019s motto several years ago. The motto had long been \u2013 somewhat ironically \u2014 \u201cthe police in the service of the people.\u201d Adly replaced this with an Orwellian-sounding slogan, \u201cthe police and the people in the service of the nation\u201d (the old motto has since been readopted).<\/p>\n
He explained: \u201cAbuse by security personnel took both small and large forms: in daily interactions with the police, on the street, at traffic stops, and police checkpoints, to more serious cases involving torture and human rights violations. The arbitrary exercise of authority was widespread. In the absence of any real accountability, security officials acted with near impunity. Suspected criminals were routinely mistreated, especially those accused of petty crimes. Heavy-handed techniques were the norm. Police stations were feared by many. Few rights or protections were afforded, especially to those without connections or money. And corruption was endemic.\u201d …more<\/a><\/p>\n