Coptic Solidarity recently led an international coalition of human rights organizations and religious freedom advocates, in collaboration with Jubilee Campaign and Set My People Free, to urgently press the Australian Government to act on behalf of Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek, an Egyptian Christian convert imprisoned for peacefully exercising his freedom of belief. The effort was supported by members of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable, underscoring broad civil-society concern over Said’s continued detention.
On January 26, 2026, the coalition sent a formal NGO letter to Australian Home Minister, Tony Burke MP, urging immediate humanitarian and diplomatic intervention. The letter was copied to HE Dr. Kevin Rudd, Australian Ambassador the United Nations to ensure the case is raised at the UN and other relevant international forums.
The letter documents Said’s years of arbitrary detention, torture, denial of legal access, forced family separation, and repeated imprisonment without due process by Egypt’s National Security services—solely because he converted to Christianity. Despite Egypt’s constitutional claim that “freedom of belief is absolute,” the letter makes clear that this protection does not extend to converts from Islam, who are routinely treated as security threats rather than citizens with rights.
The coalition urges the Australian Government to:
- Grant Mr. Abdelrazek humanitarian or protection status, enabling his safe relocation and reunification with his fiancée in Australia;
- Press Egyptian authorities, through bilateral diplomatic channels, to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek;
- Raise his case at relevant international forums, including the United Nations, emphasizing Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law.
Public Advocacy Campaign Targeting Minister Burke
In parallel with this NGO letter, Coptic Solidarity has launched an online advocacy campaign directly targeting Minister Tony Burke, enabling supporters to send messages calling for decisive Australian action. This public mobilization complements the formal NGO appeal by demonstrating broad international concern and reinforcing the urgency of Said’s case at the highest levels of government.
Said’s fiancée is an Australian citizen, and the Department of Home Affairs acknowledged receipt of his humanitarian visa application in May 2024. Australia therefore has both a clear humanitarian interest and a meaningful opportunity to act.
Coptic Solidarity will continue to lead international advocacy efforts, alongside trusted partners, until Said Abdelrazek is free and protected from further persecution.
