Coptic Solidarity was able to participate in the UNPFII for the third consecutive year during the last week of April. The 2025 theme was: Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges.
This year was the first time Coptic Solidarity had the opportunity to give a speech. Since the UNPFII has championed youth involvement, and because Coptic Solidarity is working to train younger generations in advocacy, we selected Mark Basta to give our presentation. Mark is an undergraduate student who has interned with Coptic Solidarity and volunteered many hours as a research assistant.
A delegate of the Egyptian Permanent Mission to the UN gave a response to Mark’s speech the very same day, denying Copts indigeneity, and all religious-based discrimination in the country. View speeches and Coptic Solidarity’s response>>
The opportunity to address Coptic inequality from a global stage cannot be overestimated. But our participation consists of much more than the chance to give a 3 – minute speech. We arrange meetings with diplomats from a variety of countries, taking the chance to educate them on the situation of Copts and to discuss ways in which they can support our mission of achieving Coptic equality.
We also meet with NGO partners and find ways to better collaborate to advance our common interests. Examples of collaboration include co-hosting UN side events and advocating for changes in UN resolutions that name specific abuses such as the death penalty for apostasy and blasphemy, and the disappearance and forced conversion of women from minority faiths.
This type of work is slow…painstaking. It requires tenacity and consistency. But we are seeing fruits from our labor including much greater awareness of the Coptic situation.
Coptic Solidarity regularly asks our diplomatic, NGO partners and our supporters for feedback on our strategy and ways to improve our advocacy. Armed with new ideas and advice, we plan for the future while celebrating the achievements of this UNPFII.
