A Coptic family in the Abshaway district of Fayoum Governorate is living in a state of deep anxiety and sorrow following the disappearance of their daughter, Silvana Atef Fanous, aged 17.
The family confirmed that the girl has not returned home for almost two months and that the circumstances surrounding her disappearance are quite disturbing. They indicated the existence of strong suspicions that her mental condition may have been exploited to change her religion, despite her young age, both mentally and physically.
The family states that she suffers from an intellectual disability that, according to doctors, places her level of comprehension at that of a child. They are calling on the relevant authorities in Egypt—including the National Council for Human Rights, the National Council for Women, all legal bodies concerned with the rights of persons with disabilities, and the Presidency of the Republic—to intervene urgently to return the girl to her family and to investigate all legal violations to which she may have been subjected.
The family lamented that the case constitutes a flagrant violation of the rights of a minor and of persons with intellectual disabilities, and they are demanding the prosecution of anyone proven to be involved in her abduction or in coercing her into any actions that violate the law and the Egyptian Constitution.
Social media platforms have witnessed widespread circulation of the family’s appeals, accompanied by calls for swift action to protect the girl’s rights and ensure her safety.
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