Rights groups condemn detention of atheist on blasphemy charges

[rug]

Mai Shams El-Din
Mon, 24/09/2012 - 12:15

Human rights organizations have criticized the arrest of atheist activist Alber Saber.

Saber was originally arrested over claims that he published the anti-Islam film “Innocence of Muslims” on Facebook, but when it emerged that there was no evidence to support the claim, he was later charged on the basis of an atheist video that he had made.

Two days after protests and clashes between security forces and protesters broke out over the film near the US Embassy on 11 September, neighbors of Saber claimed that he shared the anti-Islam YouTube video “Innocence of Muslims” on his Facebook account, which led an angry mob to storm Saber’s house in Marg district, kicking out Saber and his mother.

Kariman Meseha, Saber’s mother, told journalists attending a press conference at the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression yesterday that she called the police to protect her son, but once police arrived, it was Saber who was arrested, not those who attacked his home.

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/rights-groups-condemn-detention-atheist-blasphemy-charges

[cbayer]

1. This whole blasphemy thing is really disturbing.

There has to be a clearer distinction between those that want to incite volatile places and people and those who are simply expressing their views.

Looks like this guy got caught badly in the web. OTOH, jail might be the safest place for him at this time.

[MineralMan]

2. Why should someone be in jail for expressing views about religion?

Really? You think that's the best place for him? Freedom of speech and religion is either that or it is nothing. The world needs to declare that one may deny religion without punishment, and speak out against such nonsense that would imprison someone for saying there is no deity. Where is your condemnation of this? Instead you offer jail as a suitable thing...

Jail? Feh!

[cbayer]

3. Did you misread? I didn't say he should be in jail.

I said it might be the safest place for him.

The mob that came after him might have killed him and might kill him still, even if there is evidence that he didn't even do what they say.

[MineralMan]

5. No, you didn't. You said it would be the safest place.

How long should he stay there? Will you do anything to help free him? The thing is that he is an atheist. For that, he is in fear for his life. Is that not cause for concern? Will he be safe in a jail there? I doubt that very much.

Blasphemy, which all atheists commit, has a death sentence attached to it in a large part of the Muslim world. Is that OK, since it is their religious belief? You recommend jail for this person, as a "safer" place for him. It is not. It is an end state. If blasphemy has a death sentence, then no, jail is not a safer place.

You are treating the life of this man casually, and without considering the laws in place where he is.

There is freedom of religion and speech or there is no freedom at all. It's easy here in the United States. Blasphemy is not against the law. It is freedom of speech that protects blasphemers and atheists here. In much of the world that is not the case.

Blasphemy calls for execution in much of the world. That is religion in action. There are those in the United States who would institute similar laws. I assume you are aware of those people. They claim to be Christians, and their belief is based on real Biblical references.

Here is my blasphemy: There are no gods or any other such supernatural entities. They do not exist, except as figments of the human imagination.

That statement would lead to my arrest in many countries.

[cbayer]

8. You misquote me, take my remark out of context,

accuse me of not doing anything for him, accuse me of taking his life causally and intimate that I am a bigot, All because I expressed concern for his safety.

I am so, so, so done with you.

Please feel free to write any kind of long, boorish diatribe you wish at this point. I will not be reading it.

[MineralMan]

9. You may ignore me at your pleasure.

You will not silence me.

[rug]

11. I thought you silenced yourself.

Welcome back.

[MineralMan]

14. Fortunately, I live in a place where changing my mind

is permitted. It's also a place where my atheism is permitted. It is not a matter of consequence that I changed my mind and returned to this DU Group. It's simply a decision I made, countering my previous one. I see that cbayer has rethought the decision to ignore me as well.

Life is Change.

[rug]

4. It looks like Saber is the fall guy.

Especially since the attacks were planned and not an insane response to a youtube video.

[cbayer]

6. One of many fall guys. Caught in the web.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. Not sure there is much to show preplanning in Egypt.

Pretty clear it was preplanned in Benghazi

[rug]

10. I'm sure this flag, hung in the Cairo embassy on 9/11, was just casually laying around.

[msongs]

12. weak religions need bullies to enforce them. secure people just laugh at criticism nt

[Odin2005]

13. This, folks, is why religious people do not have a right not to be offended.

[Leontius]

16. Does anyone have a right not to be offended?

[pinto]

15. Obama made reference to the free speech issues at the UN today. Eloquently and clearly, imo.

Made the point that free speech is an historic legal (constitutional) right in our system. Noted that other systems, with different histories may view public speech differently than we do. And followed up with a strong condemnation of repressive, violent, extremist responses in any event, in any governmental system or society. Made the point that those responses were ultimately self-defeating and made the case for tolerance as a two way street. (pinto paraphrasing here. Verbatim transcript ought to be available on the White House web site).

[cbayer]

17. I was unable to hear it, but hope I can stream it later (connection not so good)

This is a difficult tightrope with significant cultural factors involved, as you point out. So far I think the administration is handling it well.

[pinto]

18. Yeah, it's a tightrope. Check out the address when you can. It was a good one, imo.

At the risk of sounding glib, it was a presidential performance on an international stage.