• EGYPT
  • October 10, 2012
  • 5 minutes read

Human Rights Activists, Politicians Welcome President Morsi’s Revolution Prisoners Pardon

Human Rights Activists, Politicians Welcome President Morsi’s Revolution Prisoners Pardon

 Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi issued a power-of-law decree and a blanket pardon for all detainees held during the events of the January 25 revolution and beyond. These include all pro-revolution events and activities from the 25th of January 2011 to June 30, 2012 when Dr. Morsi assumed the Presidency.



For his part, journalist Hamdi Qandil praised President Morsi’s bold decision to pardon the revolution’s political prisoners, pointing that revolutionaries and rights figures had been waiting eagerly for such a decree for so long.


In a Tweet, Qandil said: "The January 25 revolutionaries have not waited for any decision so much as they have awaited the President’s decision now to pardon all pro-revolution civilian and military detainees and prisoners".


Dr. Mustafa Naggar, political activist and member of the now dissolved People’s Assembly for the ‘Adl Party’, said: "I salute the President for this decision which everyone awaited for such a long time. This is an important step that puts an end to an issue that caused a lot of worry to a lot of Egyptian families and many revolutionaries".


In a blog post, Mahmoud Afifi, spokesman for the April 6 Movement, said: "President Morsi’s power-of-law decree to pardon prisoners of the revolution who were held from January 25, 2011 to June 30, 2012 is the most fabulous, commendable decision that deserves our sincere admiration and congratulations.


"We are still awaiting retribution for the blood of the martyrs, retrials with new evidence for any charges as promised, and bringing members of the military council (SCAF) to trial.


Meanwhile, Negad Al-Boraei, human rights activist and head of the United Group, said: "The decision opens the door for societal reconciliation, and confirms President Morsi’s commitment to honoring his promises to the Egyptian people.


"I call on all political forces and stakeholders, as well as all segments of society, after this great decision, to launch forth towards a rebuilding of new Egypt in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill, leaving behind all that muddied the waters and caused discord after the revolution."


Further, Margaret Azir, member of the Supreme Commission of Wafd Party, said: "This decision restored dignity to the revolutionaries. It is a great decision because it satisfied their most important demands and the demands of their families who have been waiting for the decree issued by the President of Egypt as promised".


Meanwhile, Dr. Farid Ismail, member of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP)’s National Committee, said: "President Morsi is clearly taking concrete steps to restore the rights of the martyrs and to achieve the objectives of the January 25 revolution.


This decree is another such solid step for which we must salute him".