ICC Note: On a day marking Human Rights around the world, a Congressional subcommittee heard evidence of the grave human rights abuses taking place in Egypt, particularly against the country’s Christian community. Chaired by Congressman Chris Smith, the hearing focused particularly on the abuses which have taken place since the fall of Mubarak in 2011. As Congressman Smith said, “For some of these abuses, the governments bear the responsibility of inaction. For others they bear direct responsibility.”
By Carey Lodge
12/11/2013 Egypt (Christian Today) – A UK Coptic Orthodox leader was in Washington DC on Tuesday to give evidence about the discrimination being experienced by minority religious groups in Egypt.
Bishop Angaelos, a General Bishop in the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, spoke alongside four other witnesses before the House Committee of Foreign Affairs at a Congressional hearing highlighting the escalation of human rights abuses in Egypt.
The timeliness of the hearing was noted as yesterday marked International Human Rights Day and Bishop Angaelos labelled it “providential” that the committee happened to be meeting on that day.
Alongside Zudhi Jasser, Mr Samuel Tadros, Morad abou-Sabe and Mr Tad Stahnke, the bishop discussed concerns about the “culture of impunity that has led to a lack of equality” in Egypt, as minority religious groups suffer abhorrently at the hands of rebels and the government.
Coptic Christians in particular are frequently subjected to violent attacks as a result of their faith in the north African nation, which is currently struggling with a weakened and unstable political system.
Congressman Chris Smith, who chaired the hearing, noted that following the resignation of President Mubarak in February 2011, Egyptians and the world had hoped for a “new Egypt” that would not repeat his mistakes, but the “reality has been just the opposite”.
Smith said that the persecution of Christians has taken place under each of the post-Mubarak governments.
“For some of these abuses, the governments bear the responsibility of inaction. For others they bear direct responsibility,” he said.
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