USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Egypt

Washington, D.C. –  The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in Egypt:

Egypt Country Update – This report assesses the current state of religious freedom in Egypt in light of recent country conditions, incorporating the findings of USCIRF’s May 2023 visit to the country. The country update evaluates the current environment for several of Egypt’s religious communities including Copts, Jews, Baha’is, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as reports on the status of currently detained and former religious prisoners of conscience. The report concludes that Egypt, as a country that has demonstrated an interest in making improvements, is well-positioned to go beyond symbolic gestures promoting “religious tolerance” and make systemic changes to its laws and criminal justice system that significantly advance religious freedom for all Egyptians.

In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF reported Egypt’s religious freedom improvements and ongoing challenges in the prior year and made recommendations for U.S. government policy to support religious freedom in Egypt such as encouraging Egypt to repeal its blasphemy statute and to pass legislation that establishes identical processes for the construction, repair, and registration of all religions’ houses of worship. In May 2023, a USCIRF staff delegation traveled to Egypt to meet with government, faith leaders, and civil society members.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity 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].