CTV in Toronto reports on the story of one man -- a husband and a father-to-be -- who sought refugee status in Canada in 2003 after fleeing his native Egypt for religious persecution, who now faces deportation. Experts say that Christians sent back to Egypt after making refugee claims in the West will almost certainly be detained when they arrive, and quite possibly tortured.
Coptic Christians are a minority group in Egypt -- roughly 6% of the population according to the CIA -- and experts say they do face significant discrimination there. They aren't allowed to build churches without permits, for example -- permits which take years to obtain.
The State Department's 2005 Country Report on Human Rights says Egypt is responsible for "numerous human rights abuses" against its citizens, particularly religious minorities. The report cites numerous cases of "religious discrimination" against Coptic Christians and says there is widespread "torture and abuse" in Egyptian prisons.
Comments