Expressing concerns regarding the urgent and escalating threats facing Coptic Christians.
This is a House Resolution expressing concern about threats facing Coptic Christians in Egypt. It underscores the long-standing presence and cultural identity of Copts in Egypt, notes systemic restrictions on religious freedom, and documents issues such as blasphemy prosecutions, abductions, forced conversions and marriages, violence with limited accountability, and weak intervention by authorities. The resolution reaffirms the United States’ interest in protecting religious freedom and supporting a strong US–Egypt partnership, and it urges the Egyptian government to ensure equal rights for Copts, to end impunity for attacks, and to hold accountable those who fail to enforce the law. It is a non-binding statement of congressional views rather than a new law.
Key Points
- 1The resolution highlights that Coptic Christians are a historic, indigenous community in Egypt (over 2,000 years) and asserts they face systemic religious freedom restrictions and second-class citizenship.
- 2It documents abuses including blasphemy prosecutions against Coptic Christians, and the abduction, forced conversion, abuse, and forced marriage of women and girls, with insufficient government intervention or prosecutions.
- 3It notes that violence against Copts is often not punished, particularly in villages and rural areas, contributing to a cycle of impunity.
- 4It recognizes the United States–Egypt relationship and Egypt’s regional role in countering terrorism, while urging stronger protection of internationally recognized human rights and the rule of law in Egypt.
- 5It calls on Egypt to ensure Coptic Christians have the same rights as other citizens and to take steps to end impunity by arresting, prosecuting, and convicting perpetrators and by holding officials accountable when they fail to enforce the law.