Mr. Vice -President,

The Bahá’í International Community welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s attention to the ongoing persecution of Bahá’ís in Egypt.

As noted in the Special Rapporteur’s report, the 1960 presidential decree banning the Bahá’í Faith continues to shape this community's lived reality. From birth, Bahá’ís face legal uncertainty: authorities refuse to recognise Bahá’í marriages, creating prolonged obstacles to obtaining birth certificates for their children.

Article 134 of Civil Registry regulations prohibits registering Bahá’í marriages, contradicting constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion or belief. 

The 2009 court ruling permitting Bahá’ís identity cards with a dash in the religion field has not ended discrimination; it has reinforced it, limiting education, employment, inheritance, and freedom of movement.

Members of the community and those associating with them continue to face surveillance and interrogations, fostering fear and social isolation.

Even in death, dignity is denied: Bahá’ís are restricted to a single overcrowded cemetery.

Within one month, three UN reports documented this worsening persecution. 

Several countries in the Arab region are taking commendable steps to promote coexistence and inclusive citizenship. We respectfully urge Egypt to translate its human rights commitments into concrete steps ensuring Bahá’ís can live with dignity and equal rights—from birth to burial.

Thank you.