Watching Egypt

I was just listening to BBC's World Have Your Say, where someone called Susie insisted that "the majority of Egyptians" are tired of watching the protesters in Tahrir Square.

Speaking as one of the majority of Egyptians who are watching what is happening in Egypt (in my case, watching from Canada), I can't claim to speak for the rest of the majority. I can, however, describe some of what we've seen.

• We are watching the Ministry of Interior attack protesters using tactics and weapons indistinguishable from those employed in January and February. Just as we watched, for months, the MoI's apparent inability to secure Egypt's streets form the seemingly omnipotent and omnipresent baltagiyya (thugs).

• We are watching military police join the MoI in its crackdown. Just as we watched, again for months, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces claiming to be the "guardians of the revolution" who "had not and would never fire on the people".

• We are watching SCAF members like General Fengary dismiss the injured from January and February's protests as they return to Tahrir Square. Just as we watched, back in February, as General Fengary saluted those who had died to free Egypt from oppression.

• We are watching Essam Sharaf call on the protesters to leave Tahrir Square. Just as we watched, the day Sharaf was appointed prime minister, as he stood in that same square and promised to join the protests the moment he felt he could no longer serve the revolution from his office.

And now we are watching those who insist on doing more than just watch, fighting to bring down a regime of oppression which remains very much in place. And I know that, while I'm fed up of watching many things in Egypt, those who are risking and giving up everything for freedom will never be on that list. Just as I know that, if all that some of us can or will do is watch, we can at least be honest about what we are witnessing.