Campus Commotion

By Ahmed Mansour

Since the beginning of the school year, universities in Egypt have seen nothing but violence and clashes between supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and other students or security forces. “The school month of November was the most violent and dangerous period for Egyptian universities since the January 25 revolution, leading to dozens of injuries and arrests,” reported the Association for Freedom of Thoughts and Expression in November. Last month 12 Morsi supporters were sentenced to 17 years in prison for attacking the headquarters of Al-Azhar during a violent student-led protest. Massive protests took place at the end of the month to mark 100 days since the “Rabaa massacre,” in which universities across the nation participated. There were no casualties, but at press time more demonstrations were being planned. On the very same day; Interim President Adly Mansour officially decreed the long-awaited and debated law regulating protests. The draft version submitted by the cabinet has been highly criticized by both local and international human rights organizations.