By Bhaskar H. Narula:
Human rights are an opportunity for citizens to develop and evolve from their nucleus. There have been numerous rulers, kings and emperors who have tried hard to seize basic rights of their people. In a democratic form of government elected representatives have time and again expressed their wish to gain absolute powers. Egypt’s President Mohammad Morsi stands out as the most recent example of the same.
Egypt is semi-presidential republic wherein equal powers are vested to both president and prime minister of the country. In a recent row of incidents, Mohammad Morsi, President of Egypt, has taken a decision which came as a shock to UN and citizens of Egypt. He announced his presidency over extra powers which he can use as and when required for the safeguarding his countrymen and country. Morsi who seems to be leading the charts of criticism owing to his monarchical stance has his roots in Muslim Brotherhood and is an Islamist. Following the announcement made by Morsi, “Million Man March” — a form of protest — was held at Tahrir Square. Morsi expressed in his speech that his actions would be unbiased and would be for the benefit of all his brothers in Egypt, however, people seem to be resentful owing to the fact that he gave his speech in front of his own constituency and did not voice out to all countrymen. It should be clear that a matter of national concern is not being addressed to a single constituency but should be conveyed from the presidential office to the masses.
Morsi has expressed his desire in Islamist-dominated assembly which put Islamist’s at voyager positions. Muslim Brotherhood (opposition) which has already been sacked owing to its absolute authoritarian ways will be alive and working again as per the decisions of Morsi who himself is an Islamist. Egypt is a country inhabited by Christians and Muslims. Christians are bound to feel offended when Islamist ways will be forced on them. The protest and rising toll of deaths shows the same and stands at 20 by now. Army has no desire to curb the action since Morsi-as always has been too rude to them. Earlier in August, Morsi sacked top generals of the army including Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi who was in charge of overthrowing Hosni Mubarak. Army has taken its stance on the territorial front and has pledged just to work for safeguarding safety concerns.
Another incident which puts people of Egypt in dilemma is Morsi’s expectations of retrial of Mubarak who has on several occasions expressed his belief that Egyptians aren’t ready for the democracy. This again lands up with a question of absolute authority which he is eyeing. A President (Morsi) who says he is moved by actions of goodwill towards his countrymen but requests for retrial of a President who has been acquitted and sacked for ill-treating citizens?
Morsi with his newly attained powers has amended the union trade law. According to the new law, the manpower minister, who is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, may appoint workers who are members of the group in leadership positions that would become vacant in the Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF), which has always been affiliated with the government. This has given Morsi immunity against challenges and movement has been termed as “Brotherhoodisation”.
The chariot of Egypt seems to be in the hands of next dictator. Executors hold more powers than Judiciaries. Where will the citizens protest for the end of this hypothetical monarchy? Ramifications of monarchy have been proven by history and revival of the same will uphold worst scenarios. Let the hope of betterment prevail in the country of conflicts and revolutions.