INTERVENTION Rholoud Hafez/ Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-violence Studies (AITAS) EGYPT Agenda Item #3 Protection of the existence of and prevention of violence against religious minorities Thank you Madame chair. My name is Kholoud Hafez. I represent Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Antiviolence Studies (AITAS) based in Cairo, Egypt. It is the state's responsibility to provide for de facto and de juri protection for religious minorities and ensure that the latter enjoy their full citizenship rights. We agree that " the provisions of the declaration should be translated by states into domestic legislation and dedicated attention to religious minorities should be reflected in the national institutional framework for the protection of human rights" as provided in draft recoMmendation no. 20. The legislative framework in Egypt only acknowledges the existence of three "heavenly religions" restricting the freedom of worship to followers of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. The 2012 constitution, that is currently being amended, in article (2) stipulated that Principles of Islamic Sharia are the principal source of legislation, whilst the Canon principles of Christian and Jewish would guide on their personal status law and religious affairs according to article (3).1 This leaves other religious minorities without protection of freedom of worship, for instance the Baha'i minority. We acknowledge the efforts of the current Committee for Amending the 2012 . Constitution to provide for absolute freedom of religion2 , however indications are not final and do not guarantee a criteria for regulating the practice of religion, given that arbitrary restrictions have been imposed on building and renovating churches. It is also unclear whether the provisions will protect religious sects such as Shi'a and others since they have been long discriminated against3 . A report we conducted with minority representatives in Egypt showed that people with religious Minority backgrounds are not often engaged in the decision-making process; they have minimal representation in the parliament and ministries. They are not appointed for high profile posts in the state; vulnerable to discrimination and denied equal opportunity. 1 Egyptian Constitution 2012, littmayyww.sis.gov.eginewvritheconistitution.pdf 2 littp:Uenglish,ahram.orgeg/NewsContentPrint/1/0/84992/Egypt/O/Egypts-newconstitution-to-;guarantee-absolute-reli.aspx