CAIRO: Egypt’s chief Egyptologist Zahi Hawass is under fire by local rights groups after he allegedly repressed and inhibited differing views within the government antiquities organizations. The recent upheaval over Hawass and the Supreme Council of Antiquities comes as researcher Ahmed Saleh proposed views that differed from the SCA Secretary-General’s and led to dozens of investigations, the Arabic Network for Human Rights (ANHRI) said in a statement published Monday.

ANHRI is also representing Saleh and has demanded a fair hearing in the face of what they termed “grave unfairness.”

Saleh told ANHRI that he was “alarmed with a series of investigations and announcements from Hawass in newspapers” that the researcher felt were undermining and ridiculing his work. According to ANHRI, the researcher proposed a new approach on how to deal with “some Egyptian antiquities, especially the mummy of King Tut.”

Saleh is a mummification specialist and has a Master’s degree in Egyptian antiquities.

ANHRI claims Hawass – who has become the poster-child of Egyptology worldwide with his cowboy hat – launched dozens of press campaigns against Saleh, after “Hawass would not accept a subordinate who is more knowledgeable, even if the researcher’s propositions are proved to be correct and for the good of the Egyptian antiquities.”

Hawass’ office told Bikya Masr that these claims are outlandish and that the Secretary-General was simply giving his opinion to reporters after Saleh revealed his own opinion.

“There is no truth to these arguments that we are attempting to curtail discussion within the antiquities. There is no need for that because we understand and appreciate debate,” began an official, “and this is part of scientific research. When a reporter asks a question, we will respond to help inform the public.”

But, Hamdy al-Assiouty, a lawyer at ANHRI, disagrees.

“We are in front of a unique case not pertaining to professional jealousy between manager and staff, but to inhibit scientific views, freedom of scientific research and the cherishing of a part of Egypt’s history. For all of the previously mentioned, we decided to defend Saleh and support his right to express scientific propositions that may prove of public interest and at the same time in objection and deep resentment to the stances of Hawass that reflect an opinionated, self-centered character with a sectarian mind,” the lawyer said.

A press statement from ANHRI said that Saleh is “one of the rare and reliable experts whose opinions are to be appreciated and [are] considered serving the noble cause of cherishing Egypt’s heritage. Now Saleh is deprived of promotions and of attending international antiquities exhibitions in addition to suffering salary deductions.”

The administrative court is currently reviewing Saleh’s case, but legal experts doubt it will go anywhere.

“The likelihood of something happening is very small because of the stature of Hawass. The government does not want any public attention to be brought against their most popular son,” said a legal aid at the court.

BM

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