Congressional Briefing: Gendered Persecution – Targets of Forced Religious Conversions

Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025
Time: 3:00-4:30PM
Location: Longworth House Office Building 1539, Washington DC. 
RSVP

Announcement: Jubilee Campaign, Coptic Solidarity, and Canadian Yazidi Association are co-sponsoring a congressional briefing to discuss ways the US can address the impunity surrounding forced religious conversion of religious minorities in Egypt, Iraq and Pakistan.

We are thankful for the assistance of the office of Rep. French Hill in facilitating our room reservation.

Distinguished Panelists:

Stephen Schneck, Chair, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA)

Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Sonja Dahlmans, author, “Hidden Crimes, Public Deception” [Egypt]

Jamileh Naso, Co-Founder & President, Canadian Yazidi Association [Iraq]

Joseph Janssen, Jubilee Campaign & Voice for Justice, author, “Conversion without Consent” [Pakistan]

Shenouda, witness [Egypt]

This event will examine the specific vulnerable position of women from religious minorities including their social marginalization and their lack of access to legal protection. This event will illuminate why these crimes occur, the evolving tactics used to commit them, and the lack of police and legal protection for the victims and their families. Speakers will present specific recommendations based on recent investigation and reporting from three areas of focus: Egypt, Pakistan, and Iraq.