Statement – CSW Condemns Egypt Killings

CSW is deeply grieved by the murder of at least six Coptic Christians and a security official in Naga Hamady, Qena, following a Coptic Christmas Eve mass on 7 January.

The deaths were the result of a drive-by shooting shortly after the end of the Christmas Eve mass at the Church of St John. Threats of violence had been leveled against the Christian community in the preceeding days.

CSW’s Advocacy Director, Alexa Papadouris, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims. These killings were needless and avoidable. For too long, outbreaks of violence targetting Christians in the country have been dismissed as ‘sporadic’ and given inadequate attention by Egyptian authorities.

“Unless the Egyptian Government tackles the structural and social basis of inter-faith tensions and seeks to promote a culture of tolerance and equality, rooted in a consistent application of the law, Egypt will continue to suffer from damaging communal violence and further loss of life.”

Notes to the Editor

– To read a brief analysis of communal violence in Egypt see section 8 of CSW’s Egypt Briefing– A demonstration organised by British Copts is being held outside the BBC, White City, London, between 10am-1pm on Sat 9 January 2010.