BORDERS: DESTRUCTION OF CHILDHOOD Tahris square (Egypt) OMAR SALAH: Without the right to dream Omar Salah (12 years old) had been a regular fixture of Cairo’s Tahrir Square (Liberation Square) and its surrounding areas. He was reportedly killed near the US embassy on 3 February 2013 by an army soldier manning a security checkpoint. In a recorded interview with local Charity Life Makers, Omar Salah said he had been selling sweet potatoes on the street for five years and when asked by the charity what his wishes were, Omar said he wanted to quit his job and learn to read and write. THE "ACCIDENT" An Egyptian army conscript walks up to 12 year old Omar Salah Omran, a sweet potato seller - outside the front gates of Cairo’s US Embassy close to Tahrir Square - and requests two potatoes from the young street vendor. Omar answers, “I’ll do so after I go to the bathroom”. The allegedly untrained soldier retorts with a mix of cockiness and jest that he will shoot Omar if he doesn’t comply immediately. On Omar’s reply, “you can’t shoot me” - the conscript, on the alleged presumption that his weapon was not loaded, aimed two bullets piercing through Omar’s heart. He died instantly. (Based on Omar’s father’s television interview with host Mahmoud Saad. While not present at the scene, he later spoke to eyewitnesses) Februari 2013 The video: There is an inherently troubling dimension in Omar’s demise that goes beyond the “accidental” nature of it. It is the callous disregard by the state that instigated and attempted to cover up the crime, and a society that no longer gives a second look to the plight of child labour. Fragments of the article by Armo Ali: "The maddening betrayal of potato-seller, Omar Salah" (18 february 2013)

BORDERS