Dutch parliament discusses problems of Egypt Copts

By GAMAL GIRGIS EL-MOZAHEM, EUROPEAN BUREAU - Translated by HEND EL-BEHARY

AMSTERDAM: Head of the Dutch Coptic Authority John Sedrak said that a closed meeting was held on Wednesday at the Dutch parliament with representatives from many political parties in Holland. The closed session discussed Sunday night’s violent Maspiro clashes,

"Members of parliament listened to what happened to Copts in the Maspiro incident, which led to the death of 25 people and left 350 injured," said Sedrak.

Sedrak said the delegation was surprised that the Dutch parliament seemed to be fully aware about the difficult situation for Coptic Christians in Egypt, specifically since the attack on the Mary Gorges church.

He said the Dutch parliament also recognized that Copts face increasing sectarian problems since the beginning of Egypt’s January 25 Revolution.

Members of parliament said that the Copts’ status in Egypt is a "chronic" issue and the whole world witnessed that during last Sunday’s violence, according to Sedrak.

Parliament called on Dutch Foreign Minister Aory Rozental to outline his intended plan of action for dealing with the Egyptian government in the coming months. Afterwards, the minister requested that the Dutch ambassador to Egypt visit the Coptic Church and community in Egypt to hear more firsthand stories about their experiences.
Christians comprise about 10 percent of Egypt’s population.