A group of activists and members of Coptic associations met on April 7-9, 2006, in Montreal, Canada, to review and debate the situation of the Copts in Egypt and the future of Coptic activism. The participants have agreed on the following:

First:The participants confirm that the Copts have two essential demands:

1. Complete and Unconditional Equalityas regards to citizenship rights; as full-fledged citizens and not as Dhimmis. This, however, can only be achieved under a constitution and civil laws that are devoid of any religious references, and based on a total separation between religion and state. These are to be implemented by means of constitutional and legal reforms.
2. Full Participationin the management of their country’s affairs and the determination of its destiny. However, after decades of policies of marginalization and exclusion that have left a deep impact on the society and the institutions, the implementation of Affirmative Action measures would be necessary to ensure adequate presence of the Copts at all levels in political, representative and administrative organizations. Such measures would be temporary, until a time when the society could embrace the values of equality and citizenship.