U.S. Government Commission Taking Note of Coptic Situation

On June 26, 2009, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom ("the Commission") issued a report in which it expressed concern over growing, unchecked violence against Copts in Egypt.

Felice D. Gaer, chair of the Commission, stated, regarding the recent events in the Beni Suef region,

This latest incident is another example of the upsurge of violence against Coptic Christians we have seen in the past few years. The Commission has long expressed concern that the Egyptian government does not do enough to protect Christians and their property in Egypt, nor does the government adequately bring perpetrators of such violence to justice.

On July 1, the Commission issued an update, stating,

With every violent attack on Copts, the same scenario of events takes place. The State Security forces the Coptic victims to an unofficial 'reconciliation meeting', in which they are forced to give up their rights, and the perpetrators go unpunished. Such a 'reconciliation meeting' for the villagers of Ezbet Boushra-East is scheduled for 6/30/09; the outcome of this meeting is already known by the Copts.

Many thanks to Mr. Victor Beshir for directing me to the June 26 report.

You may read the June 26 report here.