Not only did Merkel fail to address the issue of widespread human rights violations in Egypt, she said in an interview that Coptic Christians in Egypt are living peacefully and in very good conditions. Egyptian Coptic Christians who make up 10 percent of the country’s population, have endured years of persecution and terrorism. Like his predecessors, President el-Sisi’s government is infamous for condoning human rights violations, including illegal arrests, torturing of activists, and gagging of the press. Egyptian activists have said that they are suffering the worst assault in their history under el-Sisi. As reported by Reuters, Amnesty International also urged Merkel to press Sisi to revoke restrictions on human rights activists.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 04, 2017 13:23 UTC