Strasbourg, 21/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution common to the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA, ECR and EFD groups, adopted in Strasbourg plenary on Thursday 21 January, the European Parliament expresses its concern regarding the recent attacks against Coptic Christians in Egypt. Welcoming the effort made by Cairo to identify the perpetrators of the attack on 6 January, it invites the Egyptian government to ensure that those responsible for this attack and for other acts of violence against Coptic Christian or other religious or other minorities, be brought to justice. Cairo is also invited to ensure the personal safety and physical integrity of Coptic Christians and members of other religious minorities in Egypt. Underlining the fact that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a fundamental human right guaranteed by international legal instruments, the Parliament condemns all kinds of violence, discrimination and intolerance based on religion. In this context, the Parliament also denounces the recent attacks against churches and places of worship in Malaysia. It therefore calls on the Council, the Commission and the EU High Representative to grant, as part of cooperation with the countries concerned, special attention to the situation of religious minorities, including Christian communities. (E.H./transl.jl)