•HRES 673 IH 
Whereas in January 2015, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi 
was the first Egyptian President to make an appearance 
at a Coptic Christian Christmas liturgy; 
Whereas in August 2016, Egypt passed a new law with re-
spect to church construction that has not lifted signifi-
cant burdens on the ability to build a church; 
Whereas Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) released a 
video calling Copts their ‘‘favorite prey’’ and warning of 
increased attacks; 
Whereas violence against Coptic Christians, particularly in 
local villages is rarely punished, making Copts more sus-
ceptible to attacks; 
Whereas Coptic Christians face severe discrimination in both 
public and private employment, including senior levels in 
the intelligence, defense, foreign affairs, and security de-
partments; 
Whereas systemic bigotry and longstanding sectarian divi-
sions have reinforced the Coptic Christians’ status as sec-
ond class citizens; 
Whereas discriminatory social constructs have fostered an en-
vironment in which Coptic Christians are particularly vul-
nerable; 
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, however, the ses-
sions have regularly led to outcomes unfavorable to reli-
gious minorities and precluded recourse to the judicial 
system by such minorities; 
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•HRES 673 IH 
Whereas in the summer of 2017, Egypt’s security apparatus 
warned churches against attacks and urged them to can-
cel their summer activities for fear of attacks by 
Islamists; 
Whereas civil society institutions, women rights organiza-
tions, and national and foreign NGOs have been shut 
down or their activities severely curtailed, and journalists, 
thinkers, and dissenters have been silenced or impris-
oned; 
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 com-
bating the threat of Islamic terrorism and ensuring the 
stability of the region; and 
Whereas religious freedom and human rights are an essential 
cornerstone of democracy that promotes respect for indi-
vidual liberty and contributes to greater stability, and is 
a priority value for the United States to promote in its 
engagement 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; 
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•HRES 673 IH 
(3) recognizes the necessity for Egypt’s leaders 
to take steps toward education reform that 
prioritizes impartial instruction of all religions, and 
political reform that prioritizes human rights, funda-
mental freedoms, and the rule of law; 
(4) urges the Government of Egypt to enact se-
rious and legitimate reforms to ensure Coptic Chris-
tians are given the same rights and opportunities as 
all other Egyptian citizens; and 
(5) urges the Government of Egypt to take ad-
ditional steps to end the culture of impunity for at-
tacks on Christians and to continue to undertake the 
arrest, prosecution, and conviction of individuals 
who carry out attacks on Copts and other Christians 
in Egypt. 
Æ 
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