Egypt: A (Small) Victory for Human Rights

Here's something you don't see every day: Human Rights Watch commending the Egyptian authorities for a "positive step" and "a major achievement."

HRW's praise comes after last week's conviction of two Cairo policemen, Capt. Islam Nabih and Cpl. Reda Fathi, on charges of illegally detaining, beating and then raping a 21-year-old mini-bus driver, Imad Mohammed Ali, a.k.a Imad al-Kabir.

The story gives a frightening glimpse into the way authoritarian regimes instill fear in their populations. It also gives an insight into the way the Internet can scare dictatorships.

The case may never have become known if one of the policemen hadn't made a cellphone video recording of al-Kabir screaming for mercy while being violated. The cop apparently did this so he could show al-Kabir's fellow bus drivers what happens to you if you interfere with the authorities in Egypt. Al-Kabir had gotten himself arrested while trying to restrain policemen from beating his cousin, a butane gas bottle seller, in an unrelated incident. Egyptian bloggers got hold of the video, posted it on Internet sites including YouTube and turned the torture case into an international incident. HRW commended the judiciary for prosecuting the case with "vigor and honesty."

As HRW also noted, however, Egypt still has a long way to go in addressing human rights abuses. Systematic torture remains a serious problem in the country. Holding these Egyptian policemen accountable in a 10-month trial is a good start. Whether the convictions also set a precedent for changing the Egyptian regime's approach to power remains to be seen.

--By Scott MacLeod/Cairo