European Parliamentarians Express Concern Over Baha'i Treatment in Egypt

Concerns Raised by European Legislators

BRUSSELS—29 July 2026—A collective statement from 115 members of the European Parliament and national parliaments has highlighted serious concerns regarding the treatment of Baha’is in Egypt. The legislators urged Egyptian authorities to uphold the freedom of religion for Baha’is, Coptic Christians, and other religious minorities.

The joint statement emphasizes that Baha’is in Egypt are subjected to significant state-sponsored discrimination and persecution. It reflects the worries previously expressed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Rapporteurs about the denial of essential civil rights, including the lack of burial rights for Baha’is, which affects their dignity in life and death. Additionally, it points out the difficulties in obtaining mandatory identity cards, the prohibition of registering Baha’i marriages, and the harassment by security forces.

Alessandro Benedetti, the Baha’i International Community's representative to European Institutions, welcomed this show of support from parliamentarians across Europe. He noted the importance of this statement, especially as the European Union and Egypt strengthen their ties. Benedetti expressed hope that the Egyptian government would recognize the peaceful nature of the Baha’i community and their desire for equal rights to contribute positively to society.

Despite Egypt's Constitution guaranteeing freedom of belief, the statement highlights ongoing failures in implementation, leaving both recognized and unrecognized religious minorities without adequate legal protection or the freedom to express, change, or adopt their beliefs.

Earlier this month, MEP Nikos Papandreou, who met with Egyptian Baha’is during a delegation visit, wrote in an op-ed that Baha’is in Egypt lack legal recognition, which deprives them of fundamental civil rights and the ability to lead normal lives. He urged the Egyptian government to ensure that peaceful religious groups receive equal legal rights, asserting that protecting minorities enhances social cohesion.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Ms. Kajsa Ollongren, has also voiced concerns about the deteriorating situation for Baha’is in Egypt, noting increased 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 prohibited from acquiring new cemetery lands due to Al-Azhar fatwas and government policies. The community faces significant challenges in obtaining digital ID cards, essential for daily life, as they cannot indicate their religion on these cards. A previous policy intended to help Baha’is by marking a dash (-) instead of their religion has instead led to increased persecution. Furthermore, Baha’i couples are unable to register their marriages, resulting in unjust separations for some families.

Benedetti pointed out that while Egypt's Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the Baha’i community continues to face restrictions that contradict these commitments. He noted that this situation arises as other leading countries in the region promote coexistence and respect for diversity.

He concluded by stating that Egyptian Baha’is seek the same rights as their fellow citizens: to bury their loved ones with dignity, register their marriages, obtain valid identity documents, and live peacefully. He emphasized that removing these restrictions is feasible and does not require legal changes, but rather a commitment from the government to uphold equality for all citizens.