Egypt on Item V 9th session of the Forum on Minority Issues - ohchr 24/25 November 2016 Unites Nations - Geneva Thank you Chairman. We are pleased that this Forum is being held and that we have the opportunity to consolidate links between countries in accordance with international instruments. I would like to respond to some of the comments raised by NGOs. Firstly, we would like to recall that in our country we do not have any minorities but that the Copts are an internal part of our social fabric, they are not subject to any discrimination in law in practice. Copts are alongside other Egyptians Muslims and others have contributed to re-building our country. Copts occupy very high-ranking posts in our government and across the country. And we refuse any discrimination against any such minority. Copts should not be seen as a minority because they are not. They have equal rights with other Egyptians, in addition Egyptian legislation has taken into account the traditions, rituals and religions and have adapted to their culture. We are proud to be able to say that we have very open and tolerant culture. Al-Azhar is a prestigious institution, which promotes tolerance and is also multi-lingual. Organisation alongside the government has called for an amendment to the school curriculum to ensure that it is more open and in line with co-existence. Chairman, I would like to remind you that the role of this forum is to protect the roles of minorities and avoid all unjustified palletisation. Thank you.