US board faults Egypt on religious freedom

A US commission called yesterday for Egypt to be put on a blacklist for lack of religious freedom, saying attacks on Coptic Christians and other minorities have worsened despite political changes.

In an annual report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom said it found serious violations in nations including China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam and highlighted what it called a sharp deterioration in Pakistan.

The commission, an autonomous advisory board, added Egypt to its recommended list of “countries of particular concern” on religious freedom, a designation that can carry economic sanctions unless governments address the US concerns.

But the State Department has ultimate authority to put nations on the list and, to the commission’s chagrin, President Barack Obama has not designated any additional countries of particular concern since taking office in 2009.

Leonard Leo, the chair of the commission, said that Egypt experienced “severe religious freedom violations” both before and after the mass protests that forced out longtime president Hosni Mubarak in February.

“Not everything in Egypt has changed. Violence against Coptic Christians and other religious minorities continues unabated, without the government bringing the perpetrators to justice,” Leo said.

Mr Leo called on the US, which has longstanding ties to Egypt’s military, to redirect some defence assistance to initiatives that would protect minorities and improve governance.