While Michael Schmidt’s hunger strike nears 30 days, another Michael (Maikel) is also on a hunger strike for similar reasons. Egypt has been using religion to stir up division in Cairo between the Muslims and Coptic’s in order to maintain their agenda and power with the upcoming elections. It is important to recognize the tricks and tactics of those in power, and we have many lessons to learn from the uprising in Egypt and how it is faring now. A revolution often is able to depose an unwanted ruler, but not able to prevent another greedy power-grabber to step in and cause the same problems. This is why many people are calling for an evolution, rather than a revolution these days and why we all need to stand up in our support for Michael Schmidt and all the other people on the front line fighting for our rights.

The Interior Ministry’s prisons administration on Sunday ordered the admission of blogger and activist Maikel Nabil, who has been on a hunger strike for nearly 60 days, to the mental hospital in Abbasseya, according to security sources.

Nabil, a Coptic Christian, was arrested by military police on 28 March at his home in Cairo. He was later sentenced to three years in prison on charges of spreading false information about Egypt’s military in a case that drew criticism from rights groups around the world.

On Thursday, the European Union urged Egyptian authorities to ensure proper medical care for him and told them to respect international standards in protecting prisoners.

He went on hunger strike on 23 August in protest at his conviction.

His family told rights group Amnesty International this month that the activist’s health had deteriorated and the authorities had prevented him from taking his medication.

Nabil was the first Egyptian since the revolution to be sentenced to a prison term for expressing his opinion. Read More