Blunt condemns violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt, pushes legislative action

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) recently urged Congress to pass bipartisan legislation offering protection for religious minorities in the Middle East

As Coptic Christians and others in Egypt face deadly violence, Blunt reiterated his call for legislative action aimed at promoting and protecting religious freedoms throughout the region. His bill would create a special envoy for religious minorities in the State Department. The envoy would be charged with monitoring and reporting religious intolerance.

The legislation has attracted the support of U.S. Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.), as well as Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).

At least 60 churches have been targeted in Egypt, along with Christian schools, homes, businesses and an orphanage, according to Fox News.

“The continued violence against Coptic Christians and other civilians in Egypt is incredibly disturbing and flies in the face of the religious freedoms and fundamental values that Americans hold dear,” Blunt said. “I urge Majority Leader [Harry] Reid to allow a vote on this bipartisan legislation, which would call attention to all religious minorities and demonstrate to leaders in the region that the United States takes religious freedom seriously.”

Blunt said his bill was necessary because the situation could deteriorate even further as the country is on the verge of a civil war after the Egyptian military overthrew the government.