CAIRO: The Egyptian Union of Human Rights Organization on Tuesday called on parliament to form a committee to investigate the sectarian clashes in Qena last month, where Christian-owned shops were burned and looted. Last month, a Christian man was held by police for allegedly raping a 12-year-old Muslim girl in Farshout, Qena, triggering a burning and looting spree of Christian homes and Christian-owned shops by Muslim villagers in retaliation. The organization also demanded an investigation into the forced mass dislocation of the Coptic residents of Qom Ahmar village in response to the clashes. "It's about time government bodies assumed their role in protecting Copts who are assaulted almost on a daily basis, Naguib Gobrael, head of the Egyptian Union of Human Rights Organization, told Daily News Egypt. "What happened in Farshout along with other repeated attacks on Copts is a crime against humanity whose perpetrators should be punished, whoever they are, he said. In the memo it sent to parliament, the organization also called for forming another committee to investigate the "violated rights of the Coptic community in Egypt.
