EGYPT ISSUES ID CARDS TO BAHA'IS

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001556

SIPDIS

DRL/IRF FOR COFSKY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2029
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT ISSUES ID CARDS TO BAHA'IS

REF: A. CAIRO 1495

B. CAIRO 887

C. CAIRO 688

D. CAIRO 453

Classified By: Economic-Political Counselor
Stephen O'Dowd for reason 1.4(d)


1. (SBU) On August 9, Egypt's Ministry of Interior (MoI)
issued national identification cards to two Baha'is, teenage
brother and sister Nancy and Imad Hindy. The identity cards
include a dash in the field that normally reflects the
bearer's religion (with the GoE recognized religions of
Islam, Christianity and Judaism heretofore the only
possibilities).


2. (C) According to the teenagers' father, Raouf Hindy, the
MoI official who contacted him to tell him his children's
identity cards were available, also told him that IDs would
be issued "soon" to the 150-160 other Baha'i who applied for
identity documents after the GoE, in April, issued a decree
establishing procedures for members of "unrecognized"
religions to obtain identity documents (ref C). The MoI
official urged Hindy, who has become a well-known advocate
for Baha'i rights, to publicize the issuance of the IDs.


3. (C) Comment: While the issuance of the identity cards
is a welcome development, we will continue to press the GoE
to issue identity documents to the many Baha'is still seeking
them and to address a number of issues related to religious
identity and citizenship.
SCOBEY