Senator Sam Brownback

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

234 Ford House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-6460
Senator Sam Brownback, Chairman
Rep. Christopher H. Smith, Co-Chairman
For Immediate Release

Media Contact: James E. Geoffrey, II

November 9^th, 2005

HELSINKI COMMISSIONERS CALL ON EGYPT TO PROTECT COPTIC CHRISTIANS

(Washington) - Commissioners of the U.S. Helsinki Commission have called on the Government of Egypt to take more proactive steps to protect its Coptic Christian minority specifically, as well as all non-Muslims. Speaking at a press conference, the Commissioners called recent violence against the Copts incompatible with both Egypt’s Constitution and international human rights obligations, and urged that Egyptian authorities take action to ease tensions between Muslims, Copts and other religious groups.

“The Egyptian Government has said some good things about fostering better relations between Muslims and Copts, but the message has not gotten down to the State Security Intelligence forces,” said Commission Chairman Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS). “The recent violence against the Copts in Egypt seems to have been instigated by the security services and that is unacceptable.”

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.

“Since the 1990’s attacks on churches, property and businesses of the Copts have been on the increase, including the abduction of young Coptic girls for the purposes of forcing them to convert to Islam. The Egyptian Government needs to work harder to put a stop to this kind of violence,” added Commission Co-Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (D-NJ).

On October 21, a Muslim mob in Alexandria, Egypt, killed four Coptic Christians and injured over 80 others in riots sparked after showing of a film perceived as derogatory to Muslims. Reports state that Muslim leaders went to State Security Headquarters in Alexandria to protest the film as early as October 14 and were told by officials to “take revenge for your faith by yourselves.”

“Egyptian officials have been at best lax and, at worst, criminally negligent in the October 21 riots,” said Commissioner Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA). “Some have alleged that the security officials let this happen for political purposes related to the parliamentary elections. If true, than what looked unacceptably incompetent has taken on a more sinister tone.”

The Government of Egypt has been critical of violence against Coptic Christians, but has been criticized for failing to take more than rhetorical action to stop such violence. Against this backdrop, Coptic Christians have been subject to discrimination and have had increasing difficulty obtaining permits to construct and maintain churches. Similar discrimination has been experienced by the Baha’i community as well.

“Over the past 25 years, the Islamic religious police and the State Security Intelligence forces have victimized or killed hundreds of Coptic Christians,” added Brownback. “The Egyptian Government is mistaken if it believes that it is honoring its international human rights commitments by saying the right things while this kind of discrimination and violence continues.”

12/01/2005

Egypt’s Patriarch:

No Coptic Party, No Candidate for Presidency, No Travel to Jerusalem

In the beginning we thought this is Usama Ben Laden kind speech. Unfortunately, that was Pope Shenouda III, the Patriarch of Saint Mark Church of Egypt and Africa.

In an interview with Al_Ahram Newspaper, a mouthpiece for the Arab Islamic government of Egypt. His Holiness, made his rejection clear to whom they demand the restoration of Coptic Christian civil rights in their country.

His definitive answers were, no for Coptic secular party, no for Coptic Christian candidate to run the presidential election in Egypt, and no travel to Jerusalem pilgrimage by Egyptian Copts. The Patriarch claims that he is the only one who can understand the Coptic Christian interest. Having a secular Coptic party, according to him would hurt the Copts cause and they should join the Islamic parties. Same thing for a Coptic candidacy for presidency.

Regarding Jerusalem, H.H., said" Copts will be allowed travel, only after liberation of Jerusalem from Zionist hands, and the Great Imam of Al-Azhar should visit first along with the Patriarch.

Historically, the Patriarch has never changed his position toward Jews, and Jerusalem, the news was his opposition to Coptic Party, and candidacy for President. In fact he never seen or heard speaking about Coptic interest. On the 25 years Pope Shenouda praises the government persecution against his own people, by defending its policy and persecution. He does not acknowledge the suffering of 15 million Coptic Christians affected by Islamic and government persecutions against them.

As a result of his weird interview, many Coptic Community members expressed their anger during his visit to the US in New Jersey Archdiocese. Instead of calming down the angry people, he insisted that he knows more than all of them the interest of Copts, and they should subdued to his spiritual authority even in pure political matters.

The American Coptic Union , and Coptic American Assembly have contacted all Copts in Diaspora’s , whom they denounced the Patriarch opposition to Coptic civil rights, and decided to have an emergency meeting to discuss this dangerous development, before the end of this month of August, 2005.

Therefore, we call upon the White House, US State Department, the International Council of Churches the help and support for our coming effort for these matter .

XXX

American Coptic Union Requests Ms.Condoleezza Rice Stopping Egypt's State Security Investigation (SSI) Interfering in Copt's Affairs

American Coptic Union sent a letter to Ms. Condoleeza Rice before her last visit to Egypt asking her speaking about Christian persecution by Egypt's government, and reforms, on June 15, 2005.

Since the US green light has given to Egypt’s dictatorship regime to stay in power, a set back occur to propel the movement for freedom and democratic reform within Egypt. Despite our disagreement with the oppositions, either “Kifaia”, or “Muslim Brotherhood” who exclude, and marginalize 20 million Coptic Christians Egyptians from the democratic process and reform, we were hoped that changing the regime would ease the daily suffering of the persecuted Christians. Studying the idea of a Coptic secular party is worthwhile, and enhanced the political balance of new Egypt Democracy.

Recently; the US Commission on International Religious Freedom has issued important recommendations, thanks to President Bush, you Ms. Rice, and all Commission members for this newly development of US foreign Policy toward Egypt. Thus, we would like the Secretary of States to address and enforce these recommendations to be put immediately in effectiveness.

Destroying and eradicating the Coptic Christians in Egypt is a common and shared goal from the Islamic regime and all other Wahhabi/Islamists/Arabists factions. Pressing for immediate implementations of these recommendations would save a lot of Christian blood and lives.

A- For instance, the State Security Investigation (SSI) interference in all aspects of Christians daily affairs cost 140 Coptic Christians forcibly convert to Islam everyday. SSI Officer Ahmed Mustafa( SSI, Cairo Headquarter) was able to force conversion of 4200 Coptic Christians in Cairo alone during March 2005.

Speaking about kidnapping rapping Christian women which is a wide spread phenomena in Egypt is endless, and has become a source of income to terrorists, criminals, officials, and even some clergy. Your strong and immediate action worth a lot to stop the terror campaign of the abusive regime and Islamists.

B- We request to be addressed in your next visit is the INVESTIGATION of the late Sabry Zaky Esq. murder, who killed on July 22, 2004, by SSI officers, officials, and Islamists in Suhaj after refusal of US embassy in Cairo allowing him to meet with USICRF, during last year visit to Egypt. In addition, the US Embassy refuse to give Visas to the 75 years old mother, and brother who still live in fear and terror of their son’s killers.

C- Mubarak regime has its life long experience in cheating the elections, and was able to manipulate the US effort for reforms and tailored legislation fitting his needs to run the elections without real competition. Therefore, we request an extensive experienced US, and international team to monitor the upcoming elections in Egypt.

D- Finally, we seek your personal wisdom on Egypt’s Arab Islamic regime intervening on our American Coptic Community through its diplomatic missions to the US.

Finally we wish you all success in your next trip to the trouble region of the Middle East.