During the closing session of Parliament on Wednesday, February 4th, Canadian MP Garnet Genius raised the alarming issue of the disappearance of the minor, Silvana Atef Fanous, in Egypt. Mr. Genius drew the attention of his fellow parliamentarians to Silvana’s situation, which he described as concerning and directly related to human rights. He highlighted that Silvana has a mental disability, possessing the cognitive abilities of an eight-year-old child. It was later revealed that she was found in the custody of an older man who claimed she had converted to Islam and planned to marry.

Genius pointed out many troubling aspects, particularly the way the Egyptian authorities have handled her family’s case, which constitutes a clear violation of Egyptian law. He expressed his commitment to closely monitor the situation and called for Silvana’s safe and immediate return to her family.

Furthermore, Mr. Genius emphasized that advocating for human rights involves thinking about those on the other side of the world and understanding who they are. It requires recognizing their dignity as equal to one’s own and that of their children. He firmly stated that human rights mean placing real individuals at the heart of our actions and ensuring that cases like Silvana’s are never forgotten.

To watch the video of Mr. Garnet Genius discussing the case of the missing minor Silvana Atef, please follow this link: