As Egypt gears up to host the United Nations climate conference next week, more than 50 Democratic lawmakers have written to President Joe Biden asking that he push the Egyptian government to release political prisoners and allow the full participation of civil society in the annual summit.

The COP27 climate talks will put an international spotlight on Egypt, a strategic US partner in the Middle East with a long track record of jailing dissidents and stifling free speech. Biden and his climate envoy, John Kerry, will attend the summit in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, which begins Nov. 6. 

The letter obtained by Al-Monitor, led by Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Bill Keating (D-Mass.), cites Egypt's jailing of political prisoners, including many environmental activists.

“With the world’s attention on Sharm el-Sheikh this month, COP27 presents a unique opportunity for the United States to press the Egyptian government to release these activists and demonstrate its commitment to inclusive engagement with the full range of stakeholders on climate solutions,” reads the letter signed by 56 House and Senate lawmakers.