Results 1 to 10 of 15

First identification cards issued to Egyptian Baha'is using a "dash" instead of religion

CAIRO, Egypt, 14 August 09

Two young Baha'is at the center of a court case over religious identification on government documents have received new computerized ID cards showing a "dash" instead of their religion. Imad and Nancy Rauf Hindi received the new cards on 8 August 2009. They are the first such cards to be issued following a ruling by the Egyptian Supreme Administrative Court that cleared the way for the government to issue documents without reference to religious identity.

Egypt officially changes rules for ID cards

CAIRO, Egypt, 17 April 09

Egypt’s Ministry of Interior this week published a decree that allows individuals to obtain government documents without identifying themselves as belonging to a particular religion. The decree is the result of a recent Egyptian Supreme Administrative Court ruling – in a case involving Baha’is – that on government ID cards and other documents, individuals may put a dash in the field denoting religious affiliation.

Egyptian court removes barriers to ID documents for Baha'is

GENEVA, 16 March 09

A court in Egypt today removed any grounds for preventing Baha'is from receiving proper official identity documents, clearing the way for an end to years of deprivation for Egyptian Baha'is - and opening the door to a new level of respect for religious privacy in Egypt

Egypt court upholds Baha'i plea in religious freedom cases

CAIRO, Egypt, 29 January 08

In a victory for religious freedom, a lower administrative court here today ruled in favor of two lawsuits that sought to resolve the government's contradictory policy on religious affiliation and identification papers. The Court of Administrative Justice in Cairo upheld arguments made in two cases concerning Baha'is who have sought to restore their full citizenship rights by asking that they be allowed to leave the religious affiliation field blank on official documents.

Egypt religious freedom cases continued to 22 January

CAIRO, Egypt, 25 December 07

Court hearings on two lawsuits filed by Baha'is over the government's policy on religious affiliation and national identity papers have been continued until 22 January 2008. The two cases, the first by the father of twin children who is seeking to obtain proper birth certificates for them and the second by a college student who needs a national identity card to re-enroll in university, had been set for "final judgment" by the Court of Administrative Justice in Cairo today.

Human rights groups issue report on Egypt

NEW YORK, 16 November 07

Egypt should end discriminatory practices that prevent Baha'is and others from listing their true religion on government documents, said Human Rights Watch and the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights in a major report released this week

Message to the Baha'is of Egypt from the Universal House of Justice

HAIFA, Israel, 26 December 06

The Universal House of Justice, the highest governing body of the Baha'i Faith, has addressed a message to the Baha'is of Egypt in the wake of a 16 December Supreme Administrative Court decision in Cairo that upheld a discriminatory government policy regarding the Baha'is and their identification cards. The policy places the Baha'is in the untenable position of either having to make a false statement about their religious beliefs or give up their state identification cards.

Egyptian court rules against Baha'is, upholding government policy of discrimination

CAIRO, Egypt, 16 December 06

In a closely watched case that has become the focus of a national debate on religious freedom, Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court today ruled against the right of Baha'is to be properly identified on government documents. The decision upholds current government policy, a policy which forces the Baha'is either to lie about their religious beliefs or give up their state identification cards.

Egyptian Baha'i case final arguments heard; judgment due in two weeks

CAIRO, Egypt, 03 December 06

Lawyers representing a Baha'i couple seeking to have their religious affiliation properly identified on state documents presented arguments yesterday at a full hearing before the Supreme Administrative Court here in a case that has become the focus of a national debate on religious freedom. The hearing was short, and the court adjourned until 16 December, when it is expected to render a judgment in the case, which is being closely watched by international human rights groups.

Egypt court sets date for full hearing on Baha'i case

CAIRO, Egypt, 25 November 06

The date for a full hearing on a closely watched court case over the right of a Baha'i couple here to have their religion properly identified on state identification cards has now been set. At a procedural hearing on 20 November, Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court continued the case to 2 December 2006, when it is now scheduled to be heard by the entire three-member court in a plenary session.