U.S. commission reports systemic discrimination against Christians and religious minorities in Egypt

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has published a report indicating continued systemic discrimination against Christians and other non-Muslim communities in Egypt. The document notes that despite individual steps by the authorities toward religious tolerance, the overall situation in the country remains tense due to legal pressure, arrests, and administrative barriers.

The April 29, 2026 report highlights that Egyptian authorities continue to enforce laws that restrict the religious life of minorities, including Coptic Christians and Baha’is. The case of Said Abdelrazek, who, after converting to Christianity, was accused of «disrespecting Islam» and was reportedly beaten in detention, is cited as an example.

Human rights activists paid particular attention to inequalities in the construction of religious buildings. Thousands of applications for the construction of churches remain unapproved, while the construction of mosques is proceeding much faster. Such discrimination often leads to clashes between Copts and security forces. In addition, the report mentions cases of disappearances of Christian women and the lack of law enforcement response to these incidents, as well as the detention of citizens for speaking about religion on social media.

Despite some positive changes, such as the introduction of a paid Easter weekend for Christians in the private sector, experts consider these measures limited. «Egypt is recommended to be included in the list of countries under surveillance due to violations of religious freedom,» the paper summarizes. Earlier recorded and other cases of aggression on the basis of faith, including attacks on Christians in European countries.

Recall, earlier it became known that in Egypt, Coptic Christian scholar and content creator Augustinos Samaan was sentenced to five years of hard labor for publishing videos about the Christian faith on the Internet.