This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/18/azza-suleiman-amnesty-urgent-action-egypt

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Azza Hilal Ahmad Suleiman Azza Hilal Ahmad Suleiman
(7 days later)
Daring to defend another woman, Azza Hilal Ahmad Suleiman paid the price.Daring to defend another woman, Azza Hilal Ahmad Suleiman paid the price.
When, during last year's Tahrir Square protests, human rights activist Azza Hilal Ahmad Suleiman tried to rescue a woman being stripped and beaten by soldiers, the last thing she expected to happen was to be attacked by the soldiers herself. Azza's intervention led to her receiving a brutal beating, resulting in a fractured skull and other serious injuries. Azza, 49, was lucky to survive, and lodged a formal complaint with the Egyptian authorities.When, during last year's Tahrir Square protests, human rights activist Azza Hilal Ahmad Suleiman tried to rescue a woman being stripped and beaten by soldiers, the last thing she expected to happen was to be attacked by the soldiers herself. Azza's intervention led to her receiving a brutal beating, resulting in a fractured skull and other serious injuries. Azza, 49, was lucky to survive, and lodged a formal complaint with the Egyptian authorities.
The incident was particularly shocking to Azza because she was brought up in an environment that respected the army – her father was a general, along with two of her brothers and two of her uncles. Her brother was also shocked by the soldiers' actions: "We come from a family of officers and, yes, the army was once a source of pride for us," he said. "I am so thankful my father died before seeing my sister in this condition."The incident was particularly shocking to Azza because she was brought up in an environment that respected the army – her father was a general, along with two of her brothers and two of her uncles. Her brother was also shocked by the soldiers' actions: "We come from a family of officers and, yes, the army was once a source of pride for us," he said. "I am so thankful my father died before seeing my sister in this condition."
Despite her injuries, Suleiman does not regret her decision to intervene to help the woman being stripped and beaten.Despite her injuries, Suleiman does not regret her decision to intervene to help the woman being stripped and beaten.
"The day I helped this veiled girl I never thought of what they would do to me. All I thought was that another human being needed help. I ran to her and asked the officers 'Why this violence?'""The day I helped this veiled girl I never thought of what they would do to me. All I thought was that another human being needed help. I ran to her and asked the officers 'Why this violence?'"
Despite Azza's formal complaint, no one has been held accountable for her beating and injuries.Despite Azza's formal complaint, no one has been held accountable for her beating and injuries.
Through its Write for Rights campaign, Amnesty International is asking as many people as possible to call for justice for Azza and also to send her a message of support.Through its Write for Rights campaign, Amnesty International is asking as many people as possible to call for justice for Azza and also to send her a message of support.
Visit amnesty.org.uk/azza to take action for Azza, or amnesty.org.uk/writeVisit amnesty.org.uk/azza to take action for Azza, or amnesty.org.uk/write
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.