The organization "Human Rights Watch" has issued a statement calling on the Egyptian authorities to take the steps necessary to protect churches and religious institutions against attacks from what it called "mobs".  Since August 14 there has been arson and looting of dozens of churches, and attacks on Christian property in all parts of the country. At least 4 people have died. After speaking with 43 witnesses about what had happened to them, Human Rights Watch is demanding an investigation as to why the security services were absent during these incidents and did not intervene. After the sit-in at Rāba’a al-‘Adawiyyah was cleared on August 14, at least 42 churches have been attacked and 37 Christian religious institutions have been either burned or damaged across the country in the governorates of al-Minya, Asyut, Fayoum, Giza, Suez, Suhag, Beni Suef, and North Sinai. Joe Stork, acting director of the Middle East department at Human Rights Watch says Muslim Brotherhood supporters have accused Christians of being one of the reasons that Muhammad Mursī (Morsi) was overthrown. Some attacked churches, leading to dozens of Christian households hiding in fear (Magdī Fikrī and Mamdūh Shihātah, al-Dustūr, Aug. 23). 

(Rob Bental, Intern)