Nubians demand land rights

Nubians demand constitutional recognition of land Cairo - Ali Ragab Nubian activists have threatened to escalate their protest against the Egyptian government, if President Mohammed Morsi refuses to issue a presidential decree to allow them to "return to their land." They have also confirmed their participation in the anti-government demonstrations scheduled for January 25. Nubian activist Ahmed Isaac criticised the Egyptian constitution for "ignoring the rights of many factions in the Egyptian community," stressing that the Nubians will one day return to their territories. He called on the president to honour his commitment by allowing them to return to their land. He accused the government of deliberately marginalising the Nubians in the current regime, adding that they would restore their rights. He confirmed that they would turn to the international community to "fight" for their rights. Nubian activist Naglaa aboul-Magd blamed the Egyptian president for not honouring his promises to the Nubians. She said that the different institutions of Egypt realised the demands of Nubians, but had failed to help them get their rights. Nubian author Hassan Nour said that they are organising a strike to pressurise the government into returning them to their territories. He warned that they would turn to the international community if their demands are not met. The Nubians are calling for Egypt's new constitution to recognise their right to land surrounding Lake Nasser, from which they were displaced during the construction of the Aswan Dam.