Given its support for states such as Israel and Egypt, which break such laws with apparent impunity, the British government’s commitment has to be called into question.
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“They said they should be allowed to stay, and with that, one man grabbed one of the managers – they ripped his shirt, ripped his name-badge off and everything”, said Smyth, describing a scene she had witnessed. Thousands of political detainees are behind bars, and human rights activists say the measures enshrine a permanent state of emergency in Egypt. They see this position as representative of the majority of Egyptians who today keep a very low profile, fearing jail and even torture.
In 2011, following the Arab Spring, Egypt’s tourist arrivals fell about 40 per cent, only to rally in late 2014 and through this year, by the end of which the country had hoped to return to 2010 levels.
But Morsi was himself deposed in 2013 by then army chief Sisi, following mass street protests.
Egyptian people “This country is big enough to accommodate all of us”.
The British ambassador in Cairo did, though, speak out against the treatment of three Al Jazeera journalists accused by the authorities of supporting terrorism.
“Ten months ago we were asked by our British friends to send teams to Sharm airport to make sure that all the security procedures are (good) enough”, he said, speaking in Arabic through a translator.
“They were happy with that”, he said.
Mr al Sisi held talks with David Cameron this afternoon after the PM revealed the downing of a Russian passenger plane in Egypt on Saturday was “more likely than not” caused by a “terrorist bomb”. “I will not defend the law, I will defend what is right”, he said.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said that it would not discuss details of people who it may or may not be investigating, or planning to arrest. But will he be able to get the stains out of the red carpet after Sisi’s walked all over it? Military forces began shooting on the morning of 14 August, killing anywhere between 600 and 1,000 protesters (estimates vary – Human Rights Watch puts the figure at 817).
“There are many people in the entourage and others who’ve come who don’t benefit from immunity, including military persons, security persons”.
Cameron said that both parties were committed to working together to enhance the safety of departing passengers.
The United Kingdom government has told Reprieve that Mr Sisi’s visit will be “an opportunity to discuss at the highest level the values which are important to Britain, as well as our mutual interests in inclusive economic growth, democratic transition, a rules-based global system and security”. “Egypt doesn’t want to become like other countries in the region”.
“What is happening in Egypt is the growth and appeal of radicalism because of his policies and those who support him”.
“Libya is a danger that threatens all of us”.
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These pictures show protesters staging a die-in outside Downing Street as controversial Egyptian President al-Sisi arrived to hold talks with David Cameron today.
