Kidnapping.

There are unfortunate moments when we remember that we are living in a security state. While my roommates and I remain safe, and have no reason to anticipate that we will ever be in harm's way during our stay in Egypt, a friend and colleague of ours was recently kidnapped by the Egyptian security forces.

Awareness and humiliation are some of the best tools to combat injustice--particularly injustice in which a government is complicit--so I wanted to use this space to post information about our friend Phil Rizk. 

Phil is a German-Egyptian dual citizen who is a masters student at the American University in Cairo, a filmmaker, and an activist for Palestinian rights, particularly related to Gaza. Background information on his documentaries can be viewed here.

He was kidnapped while participating in a non-violent march related to the treatment of Gazans in the recent conflict with Israel.

An eyewitness account of his kidnapping can be viewed here. Reuters has also issued a news release about it.

The AUC, the German embassy, his parents, and others with influence have been working to locate him and secure his release. Egyptian prisons and security forces have a documented history of torture and abuse, which gives us all ample cause for concern. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have worked to bring the issue of torture to the forefront of the American-Egyptian diplomatic agenda, but the U.S. has failed to pressure its ally into any serious reforms. 

There is both a facebook group and website to show solidarity with Phil Rizk and attempt to secure his release. Please spread the word and pray for his safety.