Fears for the safety of three Irish women as peaceful demonstration is attacked in Cairo.

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Thursday December 31, 2009 12:03

by Freda H - IPSC

Irish women Zoe Lawlor, Hilary Minch and Caroline McLaughlin were caught up in voilent riots this morning in Cairo. Ms. Lawlor contacted friends and family this morning to inform them of the chaotic and dangerous situation herself and fellow Irish women were in.

Placard at peaceful demonstration in Cairo

Ms. Lawlor,who is from Limerick, said, " It is really kicking off here. I have just been pulled off the street oposite the museum in Cairo by the hair by Egyptian police. Others are being kicked and punched.We are surrounded by hundreds of riot police. It is very rough here, but we are all still together."

Ms. Lawlor, Ms. Minch and Ms. McLaughlin travelled to Cairo from Ireland earlier this week to take part in the non-violent, human rights based Gaza Freedom March.

The Gaza Freedom March was organized to focus attention on the one-year mark since Israel’s 22-day assault, which killed more than 1,400 Palestinians, injured more than 5,000. Although the invasion technically ended, the effects on the ground have only worsened in the past 12 months. No building materials have been allowed in and more than 80 percent of Gazans are now dependent on handouts for food.

The marchers had planned to enter Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah Crossing on December 27, then to join with an estimated 50,000 Palestinian residents to march to the northern Erez Crossing into Israel to peacefully demand an end to the siege. However, the government of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced just days before the hundreds of delegates began arriving in Cairo that the march would not be allowed to go forward. When marchers demonstrated against the decision, the government cracked down, often using heavily armed riot police to encircle and intimidate the nonviolent marchers.

These tensions have been ongoing for three days now, but have escalated this morning.

In an act of solidarity with those taking part in the Gaza Freedom March and the Viva Palestina activists attempting to bring aid into Gaza on 31st December, both of whom have faced blatant obstruction at the hands of the Egyptian government, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign intends to hold a picket the Egyptian Embassy at 3.30pm today, Thursday 31st December. The IPSC will also be handing in a letter of protest asking for the opening of the Rafah Crossing and safe passage for the Marchers and Aid Convoy.

Peaceful protesters in Cairo