Mobilizing religious differences and terrorism, negotiating civil rights in Egypt

Abstract The Egyptian state's publication of its first National Human Rights Strategy 2021–2026 (NHRS) (2021) on the anniversary September 11th attacks came at crossroads Western pressure to improve human rights and use counterterrorism silence voices. recent arrests Coptic activists, dubbing them “terrorists” pretext disturbing public peace instigating sectarianism, follows regime's capitalization Egypt's history battling Islamic radicalism sectarian strife. regime has additionally used societal instabilities post 2011 revolution demonstrate unique case rights. This paper analyzes ways in which language NHRS entangles terrorism negotiate interpretation civil social justice. In doing so, thesis posits justice be responsibility collective general, religious institutions particular, as preservers national unity. While is inscribed feigning democratization donors, assigning activists terrorists, this argues, plays up differences, broadens purview counterterrorism, expands state power.