Sectarian violence erupted in the village of Nazlat Jalf, Beni Mazar, in Upper Egypt’s Minya Province on 23 October, prompted by rumours of a relationship between a Christian boy and a Muslim girl. 

As these rumours circulated online, members of the Muslim community gathered outside Christian homes and properties, throwing stones and incendiary objects at them. CSW sources report that several houses and fields were damaged. Threats and hate speech were also shared on social media. 

The police were deployed quickly, and a number of assailants were arrested. A local source reported that a reconciliation session was being organised by local authorities. 

Sectarian violence remains common in Upper Egypt, with the authorities often failing to adequately hold perpetrators to account. In many cases, they hold such reconciliation sessions, which are extra-legal mechanisms that impose ad-hoc, unsatisfactory and often unconstitutional conditions on victims. 

CSW’s CEO Scot Bower said: ‘Sectarian attacks are not only assaults on innocent people; they also undermine the fundamental rights and human dignity that should be enjoyed by every citizen. CSW commends the swift action of local police. However, for the violence that took place in Nazlat Jalf to be addressed effectively, the Egyptian authorities must crack down on hate speech, sectarian incitement and the culture of collective punishment of entire communities. They must also ensure that every citizen is treated equally, and that all perpetrators are held accountable under the law, regardless of their religion or belief.’