- Following more than two years of tireless efforts as the leading advocate for the release of Coptic prisoner of conscience Ramy Kamel, and a quiet diplomacy meeting on October 7, 2021 with an Egyptian delegation, Ramy Kamel was finally released from prison in January 2022.
- Gained United Nations (ECOSOC) consultative status after 7 years of obstruction.
- Launched a new online advocacy campaign to #EndTraffickingofCopts, conducted extensive quiet diplomacy on this issue, and continued to create awareness and pressure regarding the numerous cases of abductions, as well as the imprisonment of Egyptian attorney, Hani Farouk Gedran Guirguis who represented abducted Copts.
- Helped secure the release of Coptic attorney, Peter Ragheb, through quiet diplomacy and publishing information about his unjust imprisonment.
- Cooperated with Africa Intelligence to reveal the lobbying activities on behalf of Egypt’s government by Rev. Andreas Zaki, head of the Protestant Churches in Egypt, who is registered as a foreign agent (FARA) in the US. The implications of this finding regarding Rev. Zaki’s efforts to portray an Egyptian governmental narrative to the US government and legislators (despite denials of any wrongdoing) are significant.
- Partnered with Jubilee Campaign and a diverse group of NGOs to advocate against Blasphemy and Apostasy laws. In June, CS staff participated in an embassy walk where CS delivered a joint letter to the Egyptian Embassy, and various groups led in delivering letters to other embassies, and held signs, urging the release of prisoners of conscience, including Marco Gerges. CS also co-signed efforts by this group to improve protections and change language in two UN resolutions regarding blasphemy and apostasy
- Advocated for the release of Marco Gerges, a Copt who was sentenced to 5 years with hard labor, based on an unsubstantiated accusation of blasphemy.
- Hosted The Indigenous Copts: Marginalized and Excluded in Their Homeland, our first in-person event since the start of the global pandemic, in Washington, DC on October 18, highlighting the situation of Egypt’s indigenous Copts. Videos of presentations and discussions are available on our website. Watch CS President, Mrs. Caroline Doss’ JD., Introductory Remarks
- Continued our online advocacy campaign and recruitment of Congressional sponsors for H. RES 117– a US House Resolution Coptic Solidarity helped draft in 2021 that was introduced By Rep. French Hill To Support Coptic Christians In Egypt
- Published detailed analyses on the annual reports by the USCIRF and the State Department and followed up with in-person advocacy meetings with Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom, Rashad Hussein, and multiple meetings with USCIRF.
- Continued to expose numerous incidents of persecution and discrimination against Copts including the burning of 11 churches in August, the attacks on Mona Wafdi Marzouk, Kirollos (Cyril) Megali, and impunity since 2016 for the attackers of So‘ad Thabet.
- Exposed overt and institutionalized discrimination against Copts in Egyptian appointments to public offices, including in the Diplomatic Corp, leadership positions at Cairo University and of female judges.
- Continued advocacy for Coptic athletes primarily through quiet diplomacy with the IOC, FIFA, flagging Egypt’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics with the State Department, USCIRF, US legislators, and providing extensive documentation on our efforts to reporters tracking this issue and countering FIFA and the Egyptian government’s false narratives.
- Conducted a series of in-person advocacy meetings with government entities and legislative offices while our executive team was in DC in October. Pressed for the release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, resolution of charges against Patrick Zaki, justice for Mina Bekhit who was expelled from university on a blasphemy charge, reunification of Baby Shenouda with his parents, and much more.
- Documented cases of attacks on, and violence against, Copts and Coptic institutions. Reported on general human rights issues in Egypt, partnering often with civil society organizations working to improve a variety of human rights in Egypt
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