CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT

Early day motion 897, tabled 27 June 2000 by Paul Marsden (Labour). Signed by 38 members.

That this House notes Egypt's Christian minority continues to suffer routine acts of discrimination and prejudice, often enshrined in unjust legal provisions such as the outmoded Hamayouni decree which still requires Christian congregations to submit petitions for the building of churches to the President; further notes the omission of the Coptic era of Egyptian history in the school curriculum; also notes the inadequate representation of Copts at senior levels of government; is appalled that acts of violence against the Coptic community continue to break out sporadically, most notably in El Kosheh at the beginning of January when 21 Coptic Christians were massacred during several days of rioting; is concerned that the General Prosecutor's long-awaited report into the incident was not released until mid-March, provoking widespread speculation that it was being deliberately delayed in order to allow international attention to move elsewhere; notes that all the casualties were Christians; and urges Her Majesty's Government to make representations to the Egyptian authorities on this subject with the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, Liberal Democrat 7, Conservative 4, Labour/Co-operative 3, UUP 3.