Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Situation of Coptic Christians in 2017-2018

In its 2018 annual report, Freedom House states that, as a religious minority, Copts, "in particular," faced "persecution and violence" in 2017, including "numerous cases of forced displacement, physical assaults, bomb and arson attacks, and blocking of church construction in recent years" (Freedom House 2018). Similarly, Amnesty International's annual report for 2017/2018 explains that

[t]he authorities continued to violate the right to freedom of religion by discriminating against Christians. … There was continued impunity for sectarian attacks on Christian communities. (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2018)

Human Rights Watch's country summary published in January 2018 similarly mentions the continued existence of "[s]ectarian violence" linked to the construction or repair of churches (Human Rights Watch 18 Jan. 2018).

1.1 Relations with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

According to sources, on 6 January 2018, President al-Sisi attended the Coptic Christmas mass at the newly-built cathedral in the country's new capital east of Cairo (Reuters 6 Jan. 2018; AFP 21 Mar. 2018). The National, an English-language newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates, indicates that the president had reportedly promised the construction of the cathedral in early 2017 and that, according to state media, "the Egyptian government and armed forces donated more than 215 million Egyptian pounds [approximately C$18 million] to the project" (The National4 Jan. 2018).

The news website Egypt Independent reports that, in a speech at the French National Assembly, John [Jean] Maher, the president of the Egyptian-French Organization for Human Rights (Organisation franco-égyptienne pour les droits de l'homme , OFEDH), stated that "the current rule of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is keen on improving the situation for Copts through implementing various reforms over the past years" (Egypt Independent 9 June 2018). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to sources, in late August 2018, Manal Mikhail, appointed by President al-Sisi, became Egypt's first Coptic woman governor (Egyptian Streets 30 Aug. 2018; Africanews 31 Aug. 2018; AA 31 Aug. 2018).

1.2 Closure of Churches and Church Construction Law's Application

For information on the adoption and content of Egyptian legislation on church construction and renovation, see Response to Information Request EGY105805 of June 2017.

According to Archpriest [Bishop] Michael Antoun, representative of the Coptic Orthodox Church at the committee responsible for legalizing unlicensed churches, by the end of September 2017, the Coptic Orthodox Church had submitted requests to formally recognize 2,600 unlicensed churches and affiliated buildings (Ahram Online 9 Jan. 2018; Al Arabiya 13 Jan. 2018). The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), an organization working to "strengthen and protect basic rights and freedoms in Egypt" (EIPR n.d.), describes as "sluggish" the pace of the committee responsible for the regularization of churches (EIPR 30 Apr. 2018). Similarly, according to the 2018 annual report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in early 2018, of the 5,540 churches that had submitted requests, 53 received approvals for "renovation, construction, or registration under the 2016 Church Construction Law" (US 25 Apr. 2018, 154).

According to sources, in October 2017, four churches were closed in the Minya governorate (US 29 May 2018, 12; Egypt Independent 29 Oct. 2017) after they were attacked or after authorities feared a "possible attack" (Egypt Independent 29 Oct. 2017). The EIPR states that, between September 2016 and April 2018, Egyptian authorities closed 14 churches, including 4 between January and April 2018 (EIPR 30 Apr. 2018). According to the 2017 US Department of State's International Religious Freedom Report for 2017, "at least eight active churches" were closed in 2017 (US 29 May 2018, 12). According to Coptic Bishop Anba Makarios, as cited by France-based Catholic newspaper La Croix , the Church Construction Law is [translation] "'sometimes used'" to legitimize the closing of churches, because it has "'too many restrictions'" (La Croix 7 Jan. 2018). Sources explain, citing Bishop Makarios, that the restrictions include, for instance, the obligation that churches are built only in cities and not in villages (La Croix 7 Jan. 2018) or that church construction can be prevented "'[i]f local security officers deem the security circumstances unfavorable'" (Mada 28 Jan. 2018).

Sources state that the closure of churches by authorities violates the 2016 church construction law (EIPR 30 Apr. 2018; US 29 May 2018, 11), as the law "allows services to continue in churches extant prior to the law's issuance, even if they do not meet the conditions for legal status specified in the law and the prime ministerial decree forming the regularization committee" (EIPR 30 Apr. 2018). According to the EIPR, the non-compliance of administrative authorities with this provision demonstrates the law's "failure" to resolve the "sectarian tensions and assaults associated with the construction and renovation of churches and religious structures" (EIPR 1 Feb. 2018). An article published by Middle East Eye (MEE), an "independently funded online news organisation" (MEE n.d.), reports that "independent rights groups and Coptic rights advocates" criticize the church construction law for "enshrining anti-Christian discrimination" (MEE 3 Sept. 2018).

1.3 Cairo and Alexandria

Sources report that Christians live throughout the country, but especially in Upper Egypt [in the south of Egypt] and in Cairo and Alexandria (Australia 19 May 2017, para. 3.29; US 29 May 2018, 3). According to a 2017 Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) country report on Egypt, some Cairo's suburbs, as well as other cities and villages, are considered "Christians areas" (Australia 19 May 2017, para. 3.29). Further information on the situation of Coptic Christians in Cairo and Alexandria could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Incidents in 2017-2018

USCIRF reports that, in 2017, 22 attacks against churches were carried out by Islamic State (IS) [ISIS, ISIL, Daesh] affiliates and "sectarian mobs" (US 25 Apr. 2018, 158).

Sources report that, on 22 December 2017, "hundreds" of people attacked the Prince Tawadros [Amir Tadros] church [in the Giza governorate, south of Cairo], chanting "hostile" slogans and calling for the church's demolition (The New Arab 23 Dec. 2017; DW 24 Dec. 2017; EIPR 1 Feb. 2018). The same sources cite a representative of the diocese as indicating that the church's interior and contents were destroyed and church members were assaulted (The New Arab 23 Dec. 2017; DW 24 Dec. 2017; EIPR 1 Feb. 2018). Sources further explain that the church was unlicensed, but had applied for a licence before the attack (The New Arab 23 Dec. 2017; EIPR 1 Feb. 2018).

According to the EIPR, on 14 April 2018, Copt residents and a church, which did not have "the requisite permits from the security bodies," were attacked "with bricks, stones, and sticks" in the village of Beni Manin, in the Fashn district of the Beni Soueif governorate, after Muslim residents of the village had objected to "the presence of a church in the town" (EIPR 30 Apr. 2018).

According to sources, in late August 2018, several Christian homes were "attacked" in a village in the Minya governorate (Africanews 2 Sept. 2018; MEE 3 Sept. 2018). Sources reports that the protesters were opposed to the presence of a church (Africanews 2 Sept. 2018) or "were motivated by claims that the houses were secretly used as churches"(MEE 3 Sept. 2018). Sources report that three individuals, two Copts and a firefighter, were wounded (Africanews 2 Sept. 2018; MEE 3 Sept. 2018). The same sources state that a representative of the diocese indicated that, a few weeks earlier, a similar attack took place in a "neighboring village" (Africanews 2 Sept. 2018; MEE 3 Sept. 2018); the attackers "were left at large" (MEE 3 Sept. 2018). According to the EIPR, the victims were "pressed" to accept the customary reconciliation and to "give up their rights," by "some" state officials (EIPR 10 Sept. 2018).

2.1 Incidents in Cairo

Sources report that, on 29 December 2017, a gunman killed "at least" nine people in an attack at a Coptic Orthodox church in Helwan, a [southern] suburb of Cairo, after having attacked a store owned by a Christian (USA Today29 Dec. 2017; AP 29 Dec. 2017; Reuters 29 Dec. 2017). Reuters reports that, in addition, two people were killed at the store (Reuters 29 Dec. 2017). Sources indicate that eight Coptic Christians and a policeman were killed, and five people were wounded (Reuters 29 Dec. 2017; AP 29 Dec. 2017). Sources report that IS claimed responsibility for the attack (Reuters 29 Dec. 2017; The New York Times29 Dec. 2017).

2.2 Incidents in Alexandria

Information on violent incidents involving Coptic Christians in Alexandria could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. State Protection

Sources report that the government continues to use "customary reconciliation" when violent incidents occur (Human Rights Watch 18 Jan. 2018; Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2018), "in place of criminal investigations and prosecutions" (Human Rights Watch 18 Jan. 2018). Amnesty International states that, regarding the use of "customary reconciliation," impunity has contributed to a "significan[t]" increase in violent acts against Christians (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2018). In its report, USCIRF notes that, according to human rights groups, reconciliation sessions put Christians at a disadvantage and result, in some cases, in Christian families "being forced to leave their villages and sell their property" (US 25 Apr. 2018, 158).

The 2017 US Religious Freedom Reportnotes that, "[i]n contrast to preceding years, the Coptic Orthodox Church refused to participate in government-sponsored 'customary reconciliation' as a substitute to the rule of law" (US 29 May 2018, 13). Similarly, according to Daily News Egyptparliament members and church officials have reportedly refused to participate in "customary reconciliation sessions," following sectarian violence against Copts in Minya, and have demanded legal action against the perpetrators (Daily News Egypt12 Sept. 2018).

For further information on customary reconciliation sessions, see Response to Information Request EGY105805 of June 2017.

The 2017 US Religious Freedom Reportstates that "sources reported cases" in which the police "fail[ed]" to assist Christian parents in "recovering their minor daughters who had been kidnapped by or eloped with Muslim men" (US 29 May 2018, 24). The same source explains that, according to an activist, Christian parents "often dropped charges because the court had the authority to place an underage girl in an orphanage pending investigation, which could last until the daughter's 18th birthday" (US 29 May 2018, 24). Corroborating information on state responses to abductions of minor Christian girls could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Africanews. 2 September 2018. "Unidentified Muslims Attack Christian Homes in Egypt ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Africanews. 31 August 2018. Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban. "Egypt's First Coptic Christian Female Governor: Manal Awad Mikhael ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 21 March 2018. "Ahead of Egypt Vote, Most Christians Put Faith in Sisi." (Factiva) [Accessed 4 Sept. 2018]

Ahram Online. 9 January 2018. "Egyptian Christian Clerics Praise Decision to Allow Worship at Unlicensed Churches Pending Formal Recognition ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Al Arabiya. 13 January 2018. Sonia Farid. "Is Reopening of Egypt's 'Unlicensed' Churches a Step Toward Sectarian Stability? " [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Amnesty International. 22 February 2018. "Egypt." Amnesty International Report 2017/2018: The State of the World's Human Rights . [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Anadolu Agency (AA). 31 August 2018. Aydogan Kalabalik. "Egypt Appoints First-Ever Christian Female Governor ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Associated Press (AP). 29 December 2017. "At Least 10 People Killed in Cairo Church Attack ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Australia. 19 May 2017. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). DFAT Country Information Report: Egypt . [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

La Croix . 7 January 2018. Nadia Blétry and Céline Hoyeau. "En Égypte, la délicate question des lieux de culte coptes ." [Accessed 25 Sept. 2018]

Daily News Egypt. 12 September 2018. "Church Officials, MPs Refuse Customary Reconciliation Sessions, Assert Rule of Law ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Deutsche Welle (DW). 24 December 2017. "Crowds Attack Coptic Church in Egypt. " [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Egypt Independent. 9 June 2018. Hend El-Behary. "Current Regime Improved Coptic Christians Situation in Egypt: OFID ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Egypt Independent. 29 October 2017. Al-Masry Al-Youm. "4 Churches Closed in October as if Prayer is a Crime: Archbishopric of Minya. " Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR). 10 September 2018. "The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights Condemns the Pressure Exerted on the Copts of Dimshaw to Accept Customary Reconciliation and Demands the Trial of Those Involved in the Attacks, Compensating the Victims and Building a Church in the Village ." [Accessed 1 Oct. 2018]

Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR). 30 April 2018. "EIPR Decries State's Closure of Churches that Filed for Legal Status and Demands the Release of All Arrested Persons ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR). 1 February 2018. "EIPR Demands Reinvestigation into Attacks on the Kafr al-Wasilin Church in Atfih, Re-Opening of the Church for Worship, and the Speedy Legalization of All Unlicensed Churches ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR). N.d. "Who we are ." [Accessed 25 Sept. 2018]

Egyptian Streets. 30 August 2018. "Manal Mikhail Becomes Egypt's First Female Coptic Governor ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Freedom House. 2018. "Egypt." Freedom in the World 2018 . [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Human Rights Watch. 18 January 2018. "Egypt." World Report 2018 : Events of 2017 . [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Mada. 28 January 2018. Karoline Kamel. "The Bishop Who Makes His Voice Heard: Anba Makarios ." Translated by Salma Khalifa. Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Middle East Eye (MEE). 3 September 2018. Sondos Asem. "Egyptian Authorities Accused of Negligence in Face of Rising Anti-Christian Violence ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Middle East Eye (MEE). N.d. "About Middle East Eye ." [Accessed on 21 Sept. 2018]

The National. 4 January 2018. Jacob Wirtschafter. "Egypt's Copts Prepare for Opening of Cathedral in New Administrative Capital ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

The New Arab. 23 December 2017. "Egypt Mob Ransacks Unlicensed Church South of Cairo ." [Accessed 19 Sept. 2018]

The New York Times. 29 December 2017. Nour Youssef. "Gunmen Attack Cairo Church, Killing at Least 9 ." [Accessed 28 Sept. 2018]

Reuters. 6 January 2018. "Egypt's Coptic Christians Celebrate Christmas Amid Tight Security ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Reuters. 29 December 2017. Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Amr Abdallah and Mostafa Hashem. "Gunman Kills 11 in Attacks on Coptic Church, Christian-owned Shop in Egypt ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

United States (US). 29 May 2018. Department of State. "Egypt." International Religious Freedom Report for 2017 . [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

United States (US). 25 April 2018. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). "Egypt (Tier 2) ." Annual Report 2018. [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

USA Today. 29 December 2017. Mina Nader and Jacob Wirtschafter. "Egypt: At Least 9 Killed in Attack Outside Coptic Church ." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2018]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources:Researcher whose work focuses on Copts in Egypt.

Internet sites, including:BBC; Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East; ecoi.net; European Union – European Asylum Support Office; Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'Homme ; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; Ireland – Refugee Documentation Centre; IRIN; Jane's Intelligence Review; Middle East Institute; Minority Rights Group International; Open Doors; Radio France Internationale ; ReliefWeb; Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy; UK – Home Office; UN – Refworld.