Since its founding in 2010, Coptic Solidarity has remained the most credible, independent, and trustworthy voice of the voiceless Copts of Egypt, adhering to internationally recognized standards of human rights advocacy. Our enduring objective is to help make Egypt a modern and secular state—a country for all its citizens, free from religious dominance by any community and from laws rooted in religious doctrine. We also strive to support other persecuted and marginalized minorities across the Middle East.
The United Nations accreditation granted to Coptic Solidarity in late 2023 is a testament to our credibility and growing global standing. It enhances both our visibility and responsibility to advocate effectively on behalf of oppressed communities.
In 2025, Coptic Solidarity achieved remarkable growth, propelled by the dedication of our board members, interns, and volunteers. We hosted two Congressional briefings, facilitated the introduction of a bipartisan resolution in Congress, made our first intervention at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and significantly expanded our global communications and outreach.
Our work continues to outpace our resources. We invite you to review the highlights of 2025 (YTD Nov. 24) and consider supporting our ongoing mission to defend equal citizenship, justice, and religious freedom for Copts and other minorities in Egypt and the broader Middle East.
ADVOCACY AND POLICY INITIATIVES
Reports
- Coptic Solidarity published Cairo’s Covert Power in Washington, a groundbreaking report exposing how the Egyptian government has spent nearly $19 million since 2014 on U.S.-based lobbying and PR networks to shape U.S. policy, silence human rights criticism, and polish its image abroad. The study, —drawing on FARA filings and federal transparency data—reveals how Egypt’s influence operations have sustained billions in U.S. aid despite escalating repression of civil society and continued persecution against Copts.
- Published and distributed a new report UNESCO’s Future Leadership: A Critical Evaluation of Egypt’s Candidacy analyzing Egypt’s bid for UNESCO Director-General. The report critically examined Egypt’s human rights record, cultural heritage management, and political influence within UNESCO, urging member states to ensure that future leadership upholds the organization’s core values of integrity, transparency, and respect for cultural and religious diversity.
- Published Hidden Crimes, Public Deception: The Epidemic of Abductions and Forced Disappearance of Coptic Women and Girls by Sonja Dahlmans. This report sheds light on the evolving tactics of Muslim trafficking groups who target Coptic women and minor girls for forced conversion and marriage and includes numerous new cases.
Congressional Resolution
- CS secured the introduction of H. Res. 776, a bipartisan resolution expressing concern over escalating threats facing Coptic Christians in Egypt. Through coordinated outreach, CS mobilized citizens across the U.S. to contact their representatives in support of this resolution.
Campaigns
- Coptic Solidarity launched an international online advocacy campaign urging the Egyptian government to immediately and unconditionally release Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek, a Christian convert who has been arbitrarily detained in Cairo since July 15, 2025.
- This followed the submission of a joint letter—organized through the International Religious Freedom Roundtable and signed by a coalition of human rights organizations and prominent individuals—to Egypt’s Ambassador in Washington, D.C.
- Launched a global appeal on behalf of these women which has nearly 5,000 signatures and will be delivered to President Trump and heads of state worldwide.
- Worked with US Rep. Bilirakis to circulate a letter for Congressional signatures addressed to Secretary Rubio urging the protection of St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and to ensure U.S. policymakers and UNESCO officials recognize the broader implications of heritage erasure and politicization.
These campaigns generated international awareness, media attention, and increased diplomatic pressure for accountability.
MONITORING AND REPORTING ON DISCRIMINATION AND ATTACKS
Throughout 2025, Coptic Solidarity continued its critical work documenting and exposing violations against Egypt’s Coptic community—cases often ignored or distorted by local authorities and media. CS reported on the imprisonment of Dr. Augustinos Sam’an on fabricated “contempt of Islam” charges, the forced disappearance of Dr. George Samir, and the wrongful life sentence of 79-year-old Sabry Kamel without evidence or due process. We translated and analyzed footage of a mob attack in Minya, exposing official complicity, and highlighted the burning of Coptic churches, including the 2025 blaze that destroyed St. George Church in Qift.
Our reports also uncovered egregious human-rights abuses such as the trafficking of Amany, a Coptic girl abducted and smuggled to Saudi Arabia; the forced conversion and disappearance of Mariam Medhat Ramzy Labib; and the harassment of Maryam, a 16-year-old student targeted for refusing to wear a hijab. We documented a violent assault in Alexandria on a Christian mother and child for eating during Ramadan, and the Nazlet Gelf pogrom, where mobs attacked Christian homes under the guise of “reconciliation.”
Coptic Solidarity further exposed state-sponsored Islamization campaigns embedding religious dominance into education, culture, and civic life, and condemned the attempted demolition of the historic Church of the Virgin Mary in Rashid. Together, these investigations form a powerful record of the deepening erosion of religious freedom in Egypt and reinforce the urgent need for international accountability and protection for vulnerable communities.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Coptic Solidarity hosted its 13th Annual Conference, titled Uprooted & Endangered: Defending the Religious Minorities of the Middle East in Washington, D.C., June 11-12. This conference marked the 15th anniversary for the organization as no conferences were held during the global pandemic.
- On June11, Coptic Solidarity and partner organizations met with numerous government and legislative offices to raise awareness about the challenges facing various minority groups and present concrete policy recommendations. The turnout exceeded expectations, allowing advocates to engage new supporters alongside experienced participants. This broader involvement and training of supporters play a key role in advancing Coptic Solidarity’s mission.
- Later in the day, CS co-hosted a Congressional briefing titled Gendered Persecution: Targets of Forced Conversion on Capitol Hill with participation by USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck, US Rep. Brad Sherman, Coptic survivor Christeen Ghobrial, report author Sonja Dahlmans, and coalition partners representing Yazidi, Christian, and Hindu women in Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan. The event highlighted the urgent need for international action to end gender-based religious persecution.
- The day concluded with a rally in front of the US Capitol highlighting cases of disappeared Coptic and Pakistani girls.
- On June 12th CS hosted our annual Policy Day in the Cannon Caucus Room featuring US Members of Congress, government and policy experts, and numerous coalition partners.
ADVOCACY AT THE UNITED NATIONS
- Coptic Solidarity participated in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) for the third consecutive year, delivering our first formal intervention on discrimination against Copts. The statement prompted a direct rebuttal from the Egyptian delegate denying Copts’ indigeneity and the existence of religious discrimination—underscoring the importance of CS’s advocacy.
- We also expanded engagement with UN country missions, raising awareness of systemic discrimination and encouraging diplomatic action.
COALITION BUILDING AND INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIPS
- CS strengthened its alliances with organizations representing Assyrian, Yazidi, Alawite, Druze, and Jewish communities, fostering a unified front in defense of Middle Eastern minorities. Joint advocacy missions conducted high-level meetings with Congressional offices, the State Department, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
- In September, Coptic Solidarity hosted a Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill titled Protecting Cultural Heritage: The Risks of a Politicized UNESCO with guest speakers from these communities as well as a representative of the Greek Orthodox Brothers of St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai.
LAUNCH OF A NEW INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Coptic Solidarity overhauled and launched our new internship program focused on connecting undergraduates, graduates, and recent graduates to engage in career development and a chance to learn new skills as they contribute to CS’s mission. The strong pool of applicants and their valuable contributions encourage CS as we nurture a new generation of advocates committed to justice and human rights.
EXPANDING COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH
Coptic Solidarity significantly broadened its digital communications and multilingual outreach, improving visibility, engagement, and public awareness through online campaigns, social media growth, and strategic storytelling that amplified Coptic voices globally.
This year marked a standout moment for Coptic Solidarity’s publications. Providing credible, timely information remains one of our most powerful tools in advocating for Coptic equality. In 2025, we published six press releases and a series of exclusive investigations with on-the-ground reporting on St. Catherine’s Monastery, the disappearances of Coptic women and girls, and attacks against Coptic individuals, homes, and businesses.
ANNUAL ANALYSES
- Published Coptic Solidarity’s annual Analysis of USCIRF’s Egypt chapter of the annual report, and of the country update to better address the totality of USCIRF’s recent publications with our areas of agreement, constructive criticism, and recommendations for future reports.
- Published Coptic Solidarity Annual Analysis of the State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report on Egypt.
