Mr./Madam President,

In its response to several countries calling for the protection of freedom of religion or belief, Egypt claimed that “Egyptian law does not discriminate between citizens based on religion, belief, or ethnicity,” and that “all are equal in rights and enjoy the same protection.” 

However, the reality on the ground for members of the Baha’i community in Egypt tells a very different story. The ongoing refusal by authorities to recognize Baha’i marriages traps Bahá'í couples in a legal limbo, denying them basic civil and legal rights, such as residency and inheritance, and depriving their children from obtaining birth certificates, having immunizations, and receiving formal education. Today a Bahá’í mother in Egypt faces imminent deportation and separation from her children, despite being eligible for Egyptian citizenship. In a blatant act of discrimination, Egyptian authorities are arbitrarily changing the marital status of Baha'is on their official ID cards from 'married' back to 'single,' effectively erasing entire families from public records and denying their very existence. 

Egyptian authorities also continue to deny Baha’is additional burial land, while prohibiting them from using Muslim cemeteries, extending their persecution beyond life and denying the deceased a dignified resting place.

The Baha’i International Community urges Egypt to align its actions with its stated commitments by upholding freedom of religion and belief and ending its persecution of the Egyptian Baha’i community. Egypt could take the first step by granting Baha’is access to burial land—an urgent and deeply humanitarian need.

Thank you,