Aug 1, 2007 – Last week, Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) and Rep Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), co-chairs of the Congressional Task Force on International Religious Freedom, sent a letter to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak calling upon him to address growing religious freedom concerns.  In particular, the letter called for the immediate release and pardon of Abdel Kareem Amer Soliman, a blogger who was imprisoned on charges of criticizing the President and Islam. 

Congressman Franks stated, “I am very concerned about Kareem and the example Egypt is setting in the region by suppressing peaceful discussion of human rights concerns.  It is time for President Mubarak to back up his stated support for democracy with action— by making the laws consistent with Egypt’s international human rights commitments, pardoning those who have been unjustly convicted, and ensuring that government officials and society respect these commitments.”

Kareem’s case is only one example of the deterioration in Egypt’s stated respect for human rights and religious freedom over the past year.  Most recently, there have been serious concerns that Shaymaa al-Sayed, a Christian convert who was taken into custody by the Egyptian police, interrogated, and later released to her family – who beat her before driving her away – will be killed by them if the State does not intervene soon.  In late May, five Koranists were arrested in Egypt.  The letter addresses concerns related to several other religious groups, including the Baha’i, Jewish and Coptic Christian communities which have all experienced similar problems.  

A copy of the letter is attached.