The Egyptian government continues to systematically restrict freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) by enforcing laws, policies, and judicial decisions that repress non-Muslim and Muslim religious minority communities. Such FoRB violations have had severe impacts on Coptic Christians, Jews, Baha’is, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Qur’anists, as well as nonbelievers. 

On this episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, Commissioner Stephen Schneck is joined by Mariam Wahba, an Egypt expert and Research Analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Mariam has written extensively on the Egyptian government’s targeting of Egypt’s indigenous Coptic Christian community, and will elaborate on specific government acts that are systematically repressing religious minority life in Egypt. 

USCIRF Welcomes SEAS Envoy Confirmation, Urges Further Confirmations

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the Senate’s confirmation of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism (SEAS). His confirmation advances USCIRF’s recommendation to confirm nominees to fill positions critical to advancing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) abroad.

“With the rise of antisemitism abroad, USCIRF is ready to collaborate with SEAS-designate Kaploun as he takes on this critical role,” said USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler. “Last week’s horrific attack on a Hannukah celebration in Sydney, Australia is only the latest reminder of the urgency of this work. The U.S. government should continue to fill key FoRB positions, fielding a full team to advance this foundational American value.”

USCIRF has recommended filling other key positions to advance freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) abroad. These include Ambassador-at-Large for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Special Advisor for International Religious Freedom at the National Security Council, Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues, and Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues. Nominations made in 2025 expire December 31, requiring reappointments in 2026 should the positions not be filled at that time. In addition to the key IRF related positions, placing ambassadors or special envoys in countries that USCIRF recommends for Country of Particular Concern or Special Watch List designations further facilitates advancing religious freedom.

“The IRF Ambassador plays a critical role in U.S. efforts to advance FoRB abroad. We urge the administration and congress to make confirmation for this position a top priority,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. “Additionally, we encourage the administration and congress to swiftly nominate and confirm key positions, particularly for those countries where ambassadors have been recalled and where USCIRF has reported on religious freedom violations, such as Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.”

Throughout 2025 USCIRF has highlighted key FoRB issues including prison mistreatment, torture and ill-treatment, refugees fleeing religious persecution, mass atrocities targeting religious communities, additionally our recommendations to advance FoRB can be found in our 2025 Annual Report.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].