IV 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 117 
Supporting Coptic Christians in Egypt. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 11, 2021 
Mr. HILL (for himself, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. 
SHERMAN, Mr. CRENSHAW, Ms. MENG, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. MCGOV-
ERN, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. SIRES, and Mr. TRONE) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Af-
fairs 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting Coptic Christians in Egypt. 
Whereas St. Mark brought Christianity to Egypt, where Cop-
tic Christians have been one of the indigenous people of 
Egypt for over 2,000 years; 
Whereas there are over 10,000,000 Copts in Egypt, making 
the Copts the largest Christian and the largest non-Mus-
lim community in the Middle East; 
Whereas Copts and other Christians have been targets of so-
cietal aggression resulting in the loss of life, property, 
and the destruction of churches; 
Whereas, in January 2015, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi 
was the first Egyptian President in more than 50 years 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:58 Feb 12, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR117.IH
HR117
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 117 IH 
to make an appearance at a Coptic Christian Christmas 
liturgy; 
Whereas, in August 2016, Egypt passed Law 80 to stream-
line the church construction process; 
Whereas, as of January 2021, according to the United States 
Commission on International Religious Freedom, of the 
approximately 5,500 unlicensed churches and religious 
buildings awaiting legalization, authorities have condi-
tionally recognized approximately 1,800; 
Whereas Coptic Christians face discrimination in Egypt’s 
public-sector employment, including the police force, 
armed services, education, the judiciary, and the foreign 
service; 
Whereas Coptic Christians face discrimination in Egypt’s 
athletics, including the Egyptian Olympic team, on the 
national, reserve, and youth football teams, and in the 
Egyptian premier soccer league; 
Whereas violence against Coptic Christians, particularly in 
local villages, is rarely punished, making Copts more sus-
ceptible to attacks; 
Whereas Egyptian Government officials frequently participate 
in informal reconciliation sessions to address incidents of 
sectarian violence or tension, saying that such sessions 
prevented further violence; 
Whereas according to human rights groups, the reconciliation 
sessions have regularly led to outcomes unfavorable to re-
ligious minorities and precluded recourse to the judicial 
system by such minorities; 
Whereas civil society institutions, women’s rights organiza-
tions, nongovernmental organizations (both national and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:58 Feb 12, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR117.IH
HR117
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 117 IH 
foreign) have been shut down or their activities severely 
curtailed; 
Whereas journalists, thinkers, and dissenters, such as Ramy 
Kamel and Patrick Zaki, have been imprisoned indefi-
nitely, detained without trial, or are subject to a revolving 
door of arrest, interrogation, pretrial detention and re-
newal hearings at which many prisoners have their deten-
tions automatically renewed (for months or even years) 
without evidence, and re-arrest after release orders have 
been given; 
Whereas United States diplomatic leadership contributes 
meaningfully and materially to the international protec-
tion of religious minorities and their faith-based practices 
and places of worship; 
Whereas the United States has a strong interest in combat-
ting the threat of Islamic terrorism and ensuring the sta-
bility of the region; and 
Whereas religious freedom and human rights are essential 
cornerstones of democracy that promote respect for indi-
vidual liberty and contribute to greater stability and are 
priority values for the United States in promoting its en-
gagement with other countries: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) acknowledges the central and historic im-
portance of the United States-Egypt partnership in 
advancing the common interests of both countries; 
(2) appreciates Egypt’s regional role as a part-
ner in the fight against terrorism and violent extre-
mism; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:58 Feb 12, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR117.IH
HR117
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 117 IH 
(3) recognizes the necessity for Egypt’s leaders 
to take steps toward education reform that prioritize 
impartial instruction of all religions and political re-
form that prioritizes human rights, fundamental 
freedoms, and the rule of law; 
(4) urges the Government of Egypt to complete 
the process of church certification as initiated by the 
2016 law; 
(5) urges the Government of Egypt to end the 
mistreatment of prisoners of conscience and to re-
lease all prisoners of conscience; 
(6) urges the Government of Egypt to remove 
religious affiliation from national identification 
cards; 
(7) urges the Government of Egypt to enact se-
rious and legitimate reforms in the public sector, 
athletics, and society to ensure Coptic Christians are 
given the same rights and opportunities as all other 
Egyptian citizens; and 
(8) urges the Government of Egypt to take ad-
ditional steps to end the culture of impunity for at-
tacks on Christians, to continue to undertake the ar-
rest, prosecution, and conviction of individuals who 
carry out attacks on Copts and other Christians in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:58 Feb 12, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR117.IH
HR117
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 117 IH 
Egypt, and to hold accountable Government officials 
who fail to enforce the law. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:58 Feb 12, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR117.IH
HR117
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS