Can the much feared State Security Intelligence that propped up Mubarak's regime be reformed? Only time will tell, writes Jailan Halawi For decades State Security gathered information. Sometimes it seemed their files covered everything that moved in Egypt. Its officers were responsible for handling anything that threatened national security or undermined the regime, vague categories that became ever more elastic. The merest suspicion of involvement in either was guaranteed to result in flagrant violations of the victim's basic human rights. Many confessed to crimes they never committed. Others did not survive interrogation. The reshuffling of security following the downfall of the State Security Intelligence (SSI) counts as one of the major achievements of the 25 January Revolution. There may be concerns about the chaotic security situation that followed but few would lament the collapse of the SSI, which has now been replaced by the Homeland Security Sector (HSS). The Ministry of Interior is clearly aware of the trust deficit that exists between its various security arms and the public. Hence the very visible PR campaign surrounding its successor, the HSS, subject of intensive media coverage aimed at explaining the changes within the hierarchy of state security. Last Wednesday the HSS held its second dialogue forum in a bid to showcase its commitment to democratic processes. Participants were drawn from the media, human rights groups and the youth movements that spearheaded the revolution. Arriving at the Nasr City headquarters of the HSS, former occupied by the SSI, was an emotional moment for those participants for whom the building held bitter memories, despite the efforts of ministry personnel and HSS officials to put the visitors at ease. Officials were accessible not only for interviews but were accepting of criticism. They even exchanged mobile numbers with members of the press. The aim was clear. This gathering was an attempt to bridge the chasm that had opened up under decades of tyranny. "The Homeland security sector is one of the great gains of the revolution," explained HSS head, Major General Hamed Abdallah. In his address Abdallah argued that it would be unfair to compare the new agency to its predecessor, insisting that the HSS's mandate was "to serve and protect the public, not the regime". To succeed in its work, Abdallah noted, the HSS will depend on public support, and its activities will fall under judicial supervision. "I urge Egyptians to forget about the State Security Intelligence of old and cooperate with the Homeland Security Sector, which has been established to help citizens, not the government. From henceforth, any officer who fails to maintain good relations with the people is failing in his job." Abdallah urged anyone who had left the country fearing persecution to return, stressing that all political prisoners detained without trial have been released and the cases of those serving prison terms after being sentenced by military tribunals are being re-examined. "Our new sector," Abdallah announced, "will include Christians and women among its ranks." Ministry of Interior Public Relations Chief General Marwan Mustafa emphasised the importance of opening channels of dialogue between the public and the ministry, citing the first dialogue forum held at the Police Academy a couple of months ago as an example of how effective such gatherings can be in finding the mechanisms that best serve stability and security. It was the result of such meetings, Mustafa explained, that inspired the ministry to establish a special department to communicate directly with the NGOs and human rights organisations and examine any complaints of human rights violations they file. The new department reports directly to the minister of interior. Civil committees have also been formed to work in cooperation with their local police station in maintaining order. The pilot scheme is currently operating in 10 police districts. The Ministry of Interior has also issued a booklet clarifying the legal rights and duties of citizens, to be distributed through police stations, NGOs and human rights organisations. "Securing the nation is the target of each and every officer," said Mustafa. "It is a challenge that we are determined to meet, though it cannot be achieved overnight. We need the help and support of everyone to make it happen. Attacking the apparatus serves neither the people's nor the police's interest. We are developing our attitudes and urge the public to do the same. It is time we stopped referring to the police and people as separate entities. We share the same nation and the same destiny." Human rights activist Amir Selim explained how he has spent much of his life since the age of 19 between State Security investigation offices, courts and prison. "The experience could have turned me either into an extremist or driven me out of Egypt. I never felt the security apparatus was working for me. As I sit here today in the HSS headquarters, I feel home." The public, said Selim, need to feel at home in Egypt. He described the previous regime as "extremely stupid" for treating every problem, even the most trivial, as a security issue. One consequence of such a shortsighted approach was that "the security apparatus became the people's number one enemy." Al-Ahram 's Managing Editor Mohamed El-Saadani stressed the need for improved training, arguing that both the curriculum of the Police Academy and criteria upon which the students are accepted must be reconsidered. In response Brigadier Asser Negmeddin, head of the HSS's human development division, insisted that the HSS was committed to operating a "democratic police force" and was working hard to ensure that "the right officers were in the right place". "Staff are closely monitored to ensure they are capable of functioning in the new environment. We work on capacity building and stress the principle of human development as we continue to bridge any gaps with society." Many participants at the meeting, both police officers and representatives from civil society, said it was important to remember that not all officers of the dissolved apparatus were monsters and that some had lost their jobs unfairly. "If justice is to prevail," said one officer, "it must apply to all segments of society, police officers included." Yassin Sanad, a member of the People and Police NGO, urged the public to give the newly reshuffled security apparatus the benefit of the doubt. He compared the defeat of the police during the 25 January Revolution to the army's defeat in 1967. While it took the army six years to make a strong comeback, "we should view what the security apparatus has achieved in three months as a success and support it so that the recovery can be complete".
