WRITTEN QUESTION E-2259/00 by José Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Christian minorities in Egypt.
Date: 2000-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Christian, Egypt, common foreign and security policy, religious discrimination

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/99

On the specific situation of the 13 Iranian Jews tried in Shiraz on charges of espionage, a number of
demarches have been made by the Union as well as by individual Member States in the course of last year.
The Union stressed the importance of a free and fair trial and its disappointment that the trial was not
open to observers. Following the verdict on 1 July 2000, the Union stated its concern and its wish that the
court of appeal would retract the sentences. It also stated its intention to continue to follow the issues
closely.

The political situation in Iran remains ambiguous. However, positive developments at
the recent
Parliamentary election and Iran(cid:146)s growing sensitivity to international concerns, open new possibilities to
develop a constructive dialogue on human rights issues with the Iranian government. The Commission will
continue following the situation closely and seize any opportunity to support this positive change.

(2001/C 103 E/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2259/00

by JosØ Salafranca SÆnchez-Neyra (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Christian minorities in Egypt

(7 July 2000)

In recent weeks there have been reports in the media concerning the persecution of minorities in Egypt, in
particular the Copt Christian minority.

Is the Commission aware of this?

Can it provide information on the situation of the Copt minority in Egypt?

If these reports are true, will the Commission say what instruments it can use in order as far as possible to
help ensure that the Egyptian authorities respect the rights of the Copt minority in Egypt?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2000)

The Commission is aware of press reporting of developments regarding the situation of the Coptic
community in Egypt. Most of these cover the recent conviction of William Arsal for the murder of two
people in the Christian village of el Khosheh in 1998. The trial of the 196 accused of involvement in the
riots and murders in el Khosheh and nearby villages in the New Year has begun. During these events
22 people died (all were Copt but one).

the dangers of sectarian violence to Egyptian society and
The Egyptian government
immediately took measures to restore the rule of law to the region. The Commission believes that
shortcomings in policing and the socio-economic deprivation of much of upper Egypt have been major
factors in explaining the violence of the events in el Khosheh.

is aware of

The reaction of the Egyptian authorities to the events of the New Year and the trials of those suspected of
precipitating the events are encouraging signs. The delegation of the Commission and the Member States
embassies in Cairo continue to monitor the situation.

The long term challenge of addressing the root causes of economic deprivation and intolerance is
considerable. The Commission, in its MEDA financed cooperation programmes in Egypt (and notably
those which target basic education and basic health) is working concretely with its Egyptian partners on
these issues and poverty alleviation remains a priority in the Commission(cid:146)s programming for 2000-2006.