Coptic Solidarity Executive Committee Member and Research Associate, Mark Basta, spoke at the 6th Annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit hosted in Washington, DC. Mr. Basta participated as a guest speaker in the Action Track of the summit on a panel titled Justice Beyond Borders: Advocating for Religious Prisoners of Conscience on February 2, 2026.
Panelists included:
Vicky Hartzler – Chair, US Commission on International Religious Freedom
Omer Kanat – Executive Director, Uyghur Human Rights Project
Shaheryar Gill – Senior Counsel, American Center for Law and Justice
Mark Basta – Executive Committee Member & Research Associate, Coptic Solidarity
Moderator: CeCe Heil – Senior Counsel & International Legal Director, American Center for Law and Justice
Mr. Basta highlighted a variety of advocacy techniques that Coptic Solidarity has employed including successful efforts to secure the release of Ramy Kamel, a Coptic former prisoner of conscience, as well as an current initiative to introduce and pass House Resolution 776 – Expressing concerns regarding the urgent and escalating threats facing Coptic Christians.
