Correction:
An earlier version of this story misidentified deputy speaker Mohammed Abdelalim Doud’s political affiliation. The story has been corrected.
More than 1,000 people have been killed since the start of the Egyptian revolt on Jan. 25 last year, with as many as 100 slain by security forces since the military assumed power.
The anniversary of the start of the Egyptian revolt will be commemorated this week. Since that time the economy has faltered, and political activists accuse the military rulers of botching the transition by standing in the way of reform and committing human rights violations that rival Mubarak’s.
Strong Islamist presence in People’s Assembly
Women have been subjected to forced “virginity tests,” the hated emergency law has been expanded and more than 12,000 civilians have been convicted in hasty military court proceedings.
“What we’re experiencing now is the same as what we experienced under the former regime. One bloc is making all the decisions,” said Duaa Kashed, 19, referring to the Freedom and Justice Party. She stood outside the parliament chanting against military rule.
Just behind her, a young man yelled at Freedom and Justice Party supporters to take down the party flag and wave the Egyptian flag. Police in riot gear looked on and Egyptian soldiers stood on rooftops.
Inside the parliament hall, legislators took their oaths. Some Salafist legislators added wording promising “not to conflict” with Islamic law, others snuck in language about protecting the revolution and some wore yellow scarves, a symbolic color to call for the end of military trials for civilians.
Katatny of the Freedom and Justice Party was officially voted speaker of the parliament with a vote of 399 out of 503 legislators who voted. His leadership was expected after an agreement last week with other political parties.
Katatny’s new role in parliament culminates the Muslim Brotherhood’s rise. Under Mubarak, the organization was a marginalized and abused, allowed to exist only on a tight leash. Now, a member of its political wing will lead the parliament.
Katatny praised the military rulers for the electoral process and the police, widely hated here, for ensuring that the balloting was secure.
“We announce to the Egyptian people and to the whole world that our revolution continues, and our minds and eyes will not rest until the revolution gets all its demands,” he said. “We will avenge the martyrs with fair, quick, efficient trials and we will rebuild the new Egypt. A national, democratic, and modern Egypt.”
So far, only one police officer has been sentenced in absentia for the killing of protesters. Mubarak’s trial on charges of ordering the killings is still ongoing.
Two deputy speakers were also elected: Ashraf Thabet from the Salafist Nour Party and Mohammed Abdelalim Doud, from the liberal Wafd party.
Katatny read a statement from Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, stating that the military council handed over legislative and “supervisory” authorities.
Outside the parliament, Safaa Mohamed, 40, held a picture of her son Kamal Said Barakat. The 24-year-old was killed a year ago this week.
“I'm here to bring back the rights of my son," she said, referring to the prosecution of regime officials. "And if they don't give me my son's rights, I'll take them. I'll stay here and I'll die here."
Special correspondent Ingy Hassieb contributed to this report.
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