Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Egyptian counterpart following the attack on a Coptic Christian place of worship in Tal Al-Quiblya, Minya Governorate, on 8 July 2026; and what representations he has made on the protection of Coptic Christian communities and their places of worship in Upper Egypt.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answers provided by Baroness Chapman to Questions HL16168 (on 27 April), HL199 (on 2nd June) and HL621 (on 17 June).

The Government is aware of the incident in question. The Egyptian Government has stated a firm commitment to protect the rights of Coptic Christians and their freedom of worship, and protections for freedom of religion are mandated in the Egyptian constitution. The UK champions freedom of religion or belief for all and regularly discusses human rights concerns with the Government of Egypt and international counterparts, and will continue to do so, where appropriate. His Majesty's Ambassador to Cairo also frequently engages with faith leaders in Egypt.