16 November 2007…

Commenting on the content of a report issued by an American human rights organization concerning the presence of the religion checkbox in the Egyptian personal identification documents, Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Hossam Zaki stated that this issue does not concern the majority of Egyptians, as it does not influence the practice of religious rituals, and the Egyptian constitution and law ensure legal guarantee to enjoy such basic rights.

The Spokesman expressed his rejection of the content of the report for disregarding the legal framework governing the practice of religions in Egypt and discarding the legal mechanisms for claiming rights, as well as ignoring the cultural and ideological framework of the Egyptian society.

The Spokesman added that the national institutions concerned with human rights, particularly the National Council for Human Rights, are concerned with studying such issues. The Spokesman also stated that despite of welcoming the opinions that objectively and constructively contribute to the continuous dialogue in the Egyptian society to promote and ensure the citizens' basic rights; it is lamentable that issuing this provoking report was accompanied by an expanded media campaign.