European Lawmakers Express Concern Over Treatment of Baha'is in Egypt

Concerns Raised by European Parliament Members

Brussels—July 29, 2026— Lawmakers across Europe have voiced serious concerns regarding the treatment of the Baha'i community in Egypt. This statement was made in a joint declaration signed by 115 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and various national parliaments in Europe. The signatories urged Egyptian authorities to ensure full religious freedom for Baha'is, Coptic Christians, and all religious minorities within the country.

The joint statement highlighted that Baha'is in Egypt are facing widespread state-sponsored discrimination and persecution. It supported recent concerns raised by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN special rapporteurs, which mention the deprivation of fundamental civil rights. This includes the denial of burial rights, which strips them of their rights in both life and death. The statement also pointed out obstacles in obtaining mandatory identification cards, restrictions on the registration of Baha'i marriages, and surveillance and harassment by security services.

Alessandro Benedetti, a representative of the Baha'i International Community (BIC) in European institutions, stated, “We welcome this additional support from MPs across Europe and various parties. This statement is particularly significant as the European Union and the Egyptian government are deepening their relations. Baha'is in Europe and around the world hope that the Egyptian government will recognize that Baha'is are a peaceful community, loyal to their country, and they seek equal rights to contribute constructively to society.”

Although Egypt's constitution guarantees freedom of belief, the statement noted that ongoing failures in implementation have left both recognized and unrecognized religious minorities without effective legal protection and the ability to freely express, change, or adopt their religion or belief.

Earlier this month, MEP Nikos Papandreu, who met with Egyptian Baha'is during a visit to the EP delegation in Egypt, wrote in an article for Euronews that Baha'is in Egypt are “completely outside legal recognition,” which deprives them of fundamental civil rights and the ability to live a normal life. He called on the Egyptian government to ensure equal legal rights for peaceful religious groups and argued that the protection of minorities “strengthens social unity.”

The EU's special representative for human rights, Ms. Kajsa Ollongren, has also repeatedly expressed concern about the situation of Baha'is in Egypt. She stated that conditions have “deteriorated” as authorities have “tightened restrictions,” including the non-recognition of Baha'i marriages.

For over sixty years, since a presidential decree in 1960, Baha'is in Egypt have been prevented from acquiring new cemetery land due to Al-Azhar fatwas and government policy. Members of the Baha'i community also face significant challenges in obtaining digital identification cards, which are essential for all aspects of life, as they cannot indicate their religion on the cards. Previously, a policy allowed a dash (-) in place of religion, which was supposed to help protect Baha'is from discrimination but has instead led to even more severe persecution. Baha'i couples are unable to register their marriages—this unjust policy forces some families to face forced separation.

Mr. Benedetti remarked, “Egypt's constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief, and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has also stated that the rights of all minorities in Egypt should be protected. Yet, the Baha'i community faces restrictions that are difficult to reconcile with these commitments. This is happening at a time when major countries in the region are continuously promoting policies that foster coexistence, tolerance, and respect for diversity.”

He further stated, “Egyptian Baha'is only want the same rights as their fellow citizens—to bury their loved ones with dignity, to register their marriages, to obtain valid identification documents, and to live peacefully. Removing these restrictions is not difficult and does not require Egypt to change its laws. The government simply needs to honor its commitment to equality for all citizens and translate its leadership vision into concrete action.”