Iran remains among world’s worst violators of religious freedom – USCIRF 28 April 2020 News USCIRF’s map, showing ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ in red and those on its ‘Special Watch List’ in yellow. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has once again listed Iran among the world’s worst violators of religious freedom. In its latest annual report, USCIRF recommends that the US State Department re-designates Iran as one of 14 “Countries of Particular Concern” – for “engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations” of religious freedom. “As in years past, [Iranian] the government responded to calls for reform by systematically cracking down on religious minorities,” the report states. It notes that Christians, “especially those who converted from Islam”, continued to be “persecuted and imprisoned for practicing their faith” in 2019. The report references the comments of Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Mahmoud Alavi, who in May 2019 admitted that his agency was collaborating with Shia religious seminaries in seeking to combat the perceived threat of mass conversions to Christianity in Iran. USCIRF highlights the forcible closure last year of an Assyrian church in the northwestern city of Tabriz, and the destruction of the grave of executed Pastor Hossein Soodmand. The report also notes the arrests of eight Christian converts in Bushehr, and the persistent delays to the appeal hearings for Assyrian pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz, his wife Shamiram, and the three Christian converts sentenced alongside them. (The next appeal hearing in their case is scheduled to take place on 1 June.) USCRIF notes that US Vice President called on Iran to release pastor Victor and his wife during the second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in July 2019, while President Donald Trump met with the couple’s daughter, Dabrina Bet Tamraz. The report also highlights the case of Yousef Nadarkhani, and his hunger strike in protest against the denial of education to his sons. Yousef is one of 11 Christians still detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison, despite calls for the release of all prisoners of conscience amidst the coronavirus outbreak. Refugee ‘ceiling’ USCIRF calls on the US government to “return the annual ceiling for the United States Refugee Admissions Program to the previously typical 95,000, and fully implement the Lautenberg Amendment, which aids persecuted Iranian religious minorities seeking refugee status in the United States”. The report notes that last year the “ceiling” was set at just 18,000 – less than a fifth of the typical annual figure – and included just 12 Iranian Christians, while a further 80 “fully vetted” Iranians remained in Vienna, Austria, awaiting final approval (since granted) to fly to the United States for resettlement. In addition, USCIRF calls on the US State Department to “press [Iran] for the release of all religious prisoners of conscience” and “impose targeted sanctions on Iranian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals’ assets and/or barring their entry into the United States under human rights-related financial and visa authorities, citing specific religious freedom violations”. The report also highlights Iran’s persecution of other religious minorities, noting a “particular uptick in the persecution of Baha’is and the local government officials who supported them in 2019”.
US Commission on International Religious Freedom annual report 2020 28 April 2020 Reports The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has once again listed Iran among the world’s worst violators of religious freedom. In its latest annual report, USCIRF recommends that the US State Department re-designates Iran as one of 14 “Countries of Particular Concern” – for “engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations” of religious freedom. “As in years past, [Iranian] the government responded to calls for reform by systematically cracking down on religious minorities,” the report states. It notes that Christians, “especially those who converted from Islam” continued to be “persecuted and imprisoned for practicing their faith” in 2019. The report references the comments of Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Mahmoud Alavi, who in May 2019 admitted that his agency was collaborating with Shia religious seminaries in seeking to combat the perceived threat of mass conversions to Christianity in Iran. USCIRF highlights the forcible closure last year of an Assyrian church in the northwestern city of Tabriz, and the destruction of the grave of executed Pastor Hossein Soodmand. The report also notes the arrests of eight Christian converts in Bushehr, and the persistent delays to the appeal hearings for Assyrian pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz, his wife Shamiram, and the three Christian converts sentenced alongside them. (The next appeal hearing in their case is scheduled to take place on 1 June.) USCRIF notes that US Vice President called on Iran to release pastor Victor and his wife during the second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in July 2019, while President Donald Trump met with the couple’s daughter, Dabrina Bet Tamraz. The report also highlights the case of Yousef Nadarkhani, and his hunger strike in protest against the denial of education to his sons. Yousef is one of 11 Christians still detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison, despite calls for the release of all prisoners of conscience amidst the coronavirus outbreak. Refugee ‘ceiling’ USCIRF calls on the US government to “return the annual ceiling for the United States Refugee Admissions Program to the previously typical 95,000, and fully implement the Lautenberg Amendment, which aids persecuted Iranian religious minorities seeking refugee status in the United States”. The report notes that last year the “ceiling” was set at just 18,000 – less than a fifth of the typical annual figure – and included just 12 Iranian Christians, while a further 80 “fully vetted” Iranians remained in Vienna, Austria, awaiting final approval (since granted) to fly to the United States for resettlement. In addition, USCIRF calls on the US to “press [Iran] for the release of all religious prisoners of conscience” and “impose targeted sanctions on Iranian government agencies and officials responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals’ assets and/or barring their entry into the United States under human rights-related financial and visa authorities, citing specific religious freedom violations”. The report also highlights Iran’s persecution of other religious minorities, noting a “particular uptick in the persecution of Baha’is and the local government officials who supported them in 2019”.
Shahrooz Eslamdoust, Mehdi Khatibi, Babak Hosseinzadeh, Hossein Kadivar, Mohammad Vafadar, Matthias Ali-Haghnejad, Behnam Akhlaghi, Khalil Dehghanpour and Kamal Naamanian 24 April 2020 Case Studies (Last updated: April 2025) Clockwise from top-left: Shahrooz Eslamdoust, Mehdi Khatibi, Babak Hosseinzadeh, Hossein Kadivar, Mohammad Vafadar, Abdolreza Ali Haghnejad, Behnam Akhlaghi, Khalil Dehghanpour, Kamal Naamanian Case referenced by Article 18, Middle East Concern, World Watch Monitor, CSW, Open Doors Summary Abdolreza (Matthias) Ali-Haghnejad, Shahrooz Eslamdoust, Behnam Akhlaghi, Babak Hosseinzadeh, Mehdi Khatibi, Khalil Dehghanpour, Hossein Kadivar, Kamal Naamanian and Mohammad Vafadar – all members of the non-Trinitarian “Church of Iran” in the northern city of Rasht – were arrested during raids on their homes and house-churches within the space of a month in January and February 2019. They were sentenced in October 2019 to five years in prison for “actions against national security”. Their appeals were rejected in February 2020. However, in November 2021 the Supreme Court ruled that their convictions should be reviewed, as “merely preaching Christianity” should not have been viewed as an “action against national security”. All nine men were subsequently freed, pending the outcome of this review, and on 28 February 2022 all were acquitted. However, by this time Matthias was already back in prison serving a separate sentence related to his faith, while Behnam and Babak have also been handed new charges of “propaganda against the state”. Case in full Hossein Kadivar and Khalil Dehghanpour were detained following a raid on the “house-church” meeting they were leading on 29 January 2019; Abdolreza (Matthias) Ali-Haghnejad was arrested on 10 February 2019 during a raid on his home; Kamal Naamanian, Mohammad Vafadar and Shahrooz Eslamdoust were arrested at a “house-church” gathering on 15 February; Babak Hosseinzadeh and Mehdi Khatibi were arrested at two separate “house churches” on 23 February; and Behnam Akhlaghi was summoned to the offices of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (Sepah) that same day. The nine men were each helping to lead services in the absence of their imprisoned pastor Yousef Nadarkhani. Two of them – Matthias and Kamal – had been arrested before for their religious activities. Seven of the men – all except Matthias and Shahrooz – were released on bail in March 2019, after depositing the equivalent of $13,000 each. Matthias and Shahrooz were detained. In July 2019, Matthias, Shahrooz, Behnam, Babak and Mehdi had their bail increased tenfold after insisting upon being defended by their own lawyer. Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, who has earned the nickname the “Judge of Death” for his harsh treatment of prisoners of conscience, rejected their choice of lawyer and demanded they were defended by a lawyer of the court’s choosing. When they refused, the judge increased their bail amount to the equivalent of $130,000 each, and, being unable and unprepared to pay such an amount, they were transferred to Ward 4 of Tehran’s Evin Prison, where they have remained. The other four decided to defend themselves and were therefore released on their pre-existing bail (the equivalent of $13,000 each) until their next hearing, when the judge accused them of promoting Zionism and said the Bible had been falsified. On 13 October, all nine men were sentenced to five years in prison for “acting against national security”, after a hearing on 23 September. Their appeals were rejected following a hearing on 25 February 2020. Matthias, Shahrooz, Behnam, Babak and Mehdi have been in Evin Prison since July 2019, when they were unable to pay the high bail demanded from them after they insisted on being defended by their own lawyer. The other four men, Hossein, Khalil, Kamal and Mohammad, began serving their sentences on 1 June 2020. They had been awaiting summonses since their appeals were rejected in February. They had gone to the Revolutionary Court in Rasht a day ahead of their summons deadline of 2 June to ask for a few more days with their families before beginning their sentences. Instead, they were placed in handcuffs and held for five days, before being transferred directly to Evin Prison on Saturday, 6 June, to begin their five-year terms. In October 2021, two of the men, Behnam and Babak, joined another prisoner, Saheb Fadaie, in publicly demanding an answer to the question of where they should worship following their release, given that Persian-speaking Christians aren’t allowed in to the churches of the recognised Assyrian and Armenian Christian minorities, while house-churches are outlawed. This question formed the basis of the #Place2Worship campaign. Just days later, on 3 November 2021, the Supreme Court ordered a review of their case, saying “merely preaching Christianity” and even “promoting the ‘Evangelical Zionist sect’” in house-churches did not amount to an “action against national security”. The men were all released between 30 December 2021 and 1 January 2022, pending the outcome of the review. However, just two weeks later one of the men, Matthias, was sent back to prison to serve a historic six-year sentence for “propagating Christianity”, after a separate branch of the Supreme Court ruled he should never have been acquitted. On 26 January 2022, the eight men still temporarily released from prison received SMS messages, telling them their case would be reviewed on 22 February 2022 at Branch 34 of Tehran’s appeal court. But on 14 February 2022, two of the eight, Behnam and Babak, were handed new charges of “propaganda against the state”, after being summoned to see a Tehran prosecutor on 12 February 2022. They were then released on bail, after depositing pay slips. On 28 February 2022, all nine men were acquitted of the five-year sentences. The appeal court judges, Seyed Ali Asghar Kamali and Akbar Johari, said there was “insufficient evidence” the men had acted against national security, referencing their lawyers’ explanation that they had only “worshipped in the house-church in accordance with the teachings of Christianity” and that Christians are taught to live in “obedience, submission and support of the authorities”.However, Matthias remains in prison, while Babak and Behnam must now contest the new charges against them. On 8 May 2022, Behnam and Babak were re-arrested, alongside two other Church of Iran members, Ayoob Poor-Rezazadeh and Ahmad Sarparast. Behnam and Babak were released the following day, but Ahmad and Ayoob remain in IRGC detention, alongside Morteza Mashoodkari, who was arrested two days later. On 26 December 2022, Matthias was re-arrested, alongside his wife and two other church members, during a leave of absence from prison. On 9 July 2023, the pastor was transferred, without warning, to a prison on the other side of the country from his wife and daughter. Four months later, he was permitted the chance to fly home for the first time for a short visit, and in January 2024 he was told he would be permitted to visit his family monthly for the remainder of his sentence. However, in April 2024, after only a few days of his latest home visit, Matthias was called unexpectedly and ordered to return to the prison, whereupon he was informed that his so-called “open sentence” had been revoked and he would no longer be permitted to travel back home to see his family. On 14 December 2024, Matthias was released from prison. However, he still faces charges related to his arrest at Christmas 2022, as do his wife, daughter and nine other church members. Authorisation Article18 has been authorised by Matthias, Behnam and Babak to conduct advocacy on their behalf. The charges against them are entirely unfounded and void of any legal basis. They are instead a reflection of the Islamic Republic’s security-oriented approach towards religious minorities. None of them have committed any crime, nor are they seeking to act in any way against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The violations against their religious freedom and human rights is solely a result of exercising their faith. Recommendations Article18 petitions the international community to: Call for the new charges against Matthias, his wife, daughter and other church members to be dropped. Urge the Iranian government to uphold its obligations under its own constitution and international law, including provisions for freedom of religion or belief contained within the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a state party, without reservation. Call for the swift application of due process in the cases of all who are detained and/or awaiting charges, trials, sentences or appeal hearings on account of their Christian faith and activities. Support the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, in monitoring Iran’s compliance with international human rights standards, including freedom of religion or belief. Background There has been a significant increase in human rights violations in Iran in recent years, and particularly in the persecution of religious minorities, principally of Christians from the Iranian house-church movement. Ethnic Christian communities (Assyrian and Armenian) are permitted a degree of freedom to worship, although it is illegal for these churches to conduct services in Persian (the national language of Iran and the common language of converts). Bibles and other Christian literature are also illegal in Persian and those found in possession of such materials, especially in sufficient quantities for distribution, can expect severe treatment and prison sentences. Therefore, the growing community of Christian converts are not permitted to attend recognised churches and they have to gather for worship in secret house-churches and risk arrest and imprisonment. In the past few years, a number of Christians have been handed down sentences of between 10 and 15 years, charged with offences such as “acting against national security”. These political charges are used to help avoid international outcry at religiously motivated charges such as apostasy. Those detained or charged often have to obtain and hand over exorbitant amounts for bail, which are often forfeited as some choose to flee the country in the knowledge that they are very unlikely to receive a fair trial and just verdict. Those awaiting trial who flee the country are tried in absentia. Many will face a gruelling legal process, and until their case is heard, which could take several years, their lives are in limbo. The majority of the Christians arrested in the last few years have been released, either after finishing their prison sentences or temporarily released on bail with severe warnings and threats against any further Christian activity. Once released, they are closely monitored, and risk re-arrest and imprisonment if they engage, or are suspected of engaging, in any Christian activity.
Howard Baskerville, the American missionary who became Iran’s martyr 22 April 2020 Features (Photo: Wikipedia) While today relations between Iran and America are severely strained, there remains, even today, an American revered by many in Iran for giving his life in the fight for democracy. Howard Baskerville died on 19 April 1909, days after his 24th birthday, leading a group of locals in defending the north-eastern Iranian city of Tabriz against the shah’s forces. Baskerville had arrived in the city only 18 months previously to work as a history teacher in a school founded by Presbyterian missionaries. He was killed by a sniper’s bullet, and five days later the besieged city fell. Poems were written in Baskerville’s honour, schools and streets named after him, and his funeral was attended by thousands. A rifle was wrapped in the Iranian flag and sent to his mother, and a Persian rug was hand-woven in his memory, which was also intended for his mother but never reached her. A bust of Howard Baskerville was installed in Tabriz’s Constitution House. (Photo: Vahid Rahmanian) He was buried in the graveyard of the Evangelical church in Tabriz, and decades later, there were still reports of fresh roses being regularly placed upon his tomb. Aref Qazvini, a well-known poet of the constitutional era, penned this poem about the fallen American: “Oh, thou, the revered defender of the freedom of men,Brave leader and supporter of justice and equity,Thou has given thy life for the felicity of Iran,O, may thy name be eternal, may thy soul be blessed!” In 2005, President Mohammad Khatami unveiled a bust of the missionary at Tabriz’s Constitution House. Background Dozens of schools and hospitals were established across Iran in the 18th century by Presbyterian and Anglican missionaries, whose contributions to society were valued until they were forced out following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. One of the churches founded by the missionaries in Tabriz was last year forced to close and its cross torn down, until an international outcry led to its reopening and the restoration of the cross. Presbyterian Howard Baskerville’s arrival in Tabriz coincided with the submission of the shah of the day, Muzaffar al-Din, to the will of the Iranian people, and the creation of the constitutional monarchy. But shortly after signing the document, Muzaffar al-Din died and his successor, Mohammad Ali, sought to resume control of Iran by hanging constitutionalists and shelling the National Consultative Assembly, with the support of British and Russian forces. In Tabriz, Howard Baskerville, who had been through national service in the US, formed a resistance group to fight against the shah’s forces, while also providing locals with food and medicine as supplies ran drastically low. When the US consul attempted to persuade him to flee the city to save his own life, Baskerville is reported to have responded: “The only difference between me and these people is my place of birth, and this is not a big difference.” This rug, made in Howard Baskerville’s honour, was intended for his mother but never reached her. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Mary Mohammadi given suspended prison sentence and lashes 21 April 2020 News Twenty-one-year-old Iranian Christian convert Fatemeh (Mary) Mohammadi has been sentenced to three months plus one day in prison, and ten lashes. The sentence relates to Mary’s alleged participation in anti-government demonstrations following the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane in January. The sentence is suspended for one year, and depends on her future conduct. Mary has not appealed against the verdict, but commented: “There was no evidence against me, so I ought to have been acquitted, but instead I was sentenced not only to imprisonment, but also flogging. “And it should be mentioned that even before the verdict was handed down, I and my family were forced to endure all kinds of torture, none of which was sanctioned by law, and which ought to be considered crimes in themselves. So even if I would have been acquitted, it wouldn’t have been a real acquittal!” “We have refrained from appealing against the verdict because the appeal courts have turned into confirmation courts!” Because of protesting against the slaughter of human beings, Because of showing sympathy for the families of those who perished on the Ukraine airline crash, Because of defending the rights of all humansBecause… There— Mary mohammadi ماری محمدی (@marymohammadii) April 21, 2020 During Mary’s court hearing last week, the judge questioned her about her religious views, even though the charges were unrelated to her faith. He cited no evidence against her, saying that her presence in the area where the rally was taking place was evidence in itself. Mary’s hearing had previously been scheduled for 2 March, but was postponed due to coronavirus. After her hearing was rescheduled, Mary tweeted that it would be a “crime against humanity” to send anyone to prison under the current circumstances. Background Mary has already spent six months in prison as a result of her participation in house-churches, for which she was convicted of “action against national security” and “propaganda against the system”. In July last year she faced fresh criminal charges relating to her “improper” wearing of hijab. Those charges, which were eventually quashed, were brought against her after she initially went to police to complain of an assault. Then in December, Mary was kicked out of her Tehran university, without explanation, on the eve of her English-language exams. Just a few weeks later, on 12 January 2020, Mary was arrested as protests took place in Azadi Square. There was no word about Mary’s whereabouts for a month, before it was confirmed that she was being held in Qarchak women’s prison, south of the Iranian capital Tehran. After her arrest, Mary was forced to sit in a yard, for hours, in extremely cold weather and opposite the toilets, and not given any food for 24 hours. She was beaten so badly – by male and female officers – that the bruises were visible for three weeks. Mary was also strip-searched twice by female officers, who told her that if she refused to remove her clothes, they would rip them from her. Mary is a rare example of a Christian activist still living in Iran. She launched a campaign last year called “KHMA” (from the Persian for “Church is Christians’ Right”), fighting for the rights of all Christians – whether from Christian homes, or Christian converts – to be given the right to attend church.
‘Immediately release prisoners of conscience to prevent humanitarian disaster’ 21 April 2020 News The Council of United Iranian Churches (Hamgaam) has called on Iran to immediately release all prisoners of conscience to “prevent a serious humanitarian disaster”. In a statement released yesterday, the council welcomed the reported release of around 100,000 prisoners, including seven Christians, but noted that many others remain in prison, including at least 11 Christians, serving sentences based only on their “peaceful beliefs and activities”. “The responsibility for the health of these prisoners lies with the authorities of the Islamic Republic, and the immediate release of prisoners can prevent a serious humanitarian disaster,” they wrote. The council also called on prison authorities to ensure all prisoners have access to the medical facilities they need. “The continued prevalence of coronavirus in prisons and the lack of access to adequate health and medical facilities threaten the lives and health of many Iranian citizens, including Christian converts, and worry many families,” they wrote. Their statement follows that of a group of UN experts, who on Friday noted that “most” prisoners of conscience remain detained. An eyewitness recently told Article18 about the dire conditions in Tehran’s Evin Prison, where the 11 Christian converts – Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammad Reza (Yohan) Omidi, Zaman (Saheb) Fadaie, Nasser Navard Gol Tapeh, Mohammad Ali Mossayezbazeh, Abdolreza (Matthias) Ali-Haghnejad, Shahrooz Eslamdoust, Babak Hosseinzadeh, Mehdi Khatibi, Behnam Akhlaghi, and Majidreza Souzanchi – are still detained. “The health situation in that prison is very bad,” the eyewitness told Article18. “The prisoners only have water with which to wash their hands. The prison officials don’t even give them masks or antibacterial gel. “Many prisoners’ requests for leave from prison have not been approved, and they’ve also been told that the prison officials won’t be able to quarantine prisoners who return for 14 days.” Some human rights activists and family members of detainees have claimed the government is using the virus to put further pressure on prisoners. The families of some prisoners have sent letters to the judiciary, demanding the release of their loved ones, while imprisoned human rights defender Nasrin Sotoudeh has gone on hunger strike to protest their continued detention. The latest official figures from the Iranian Ministry of Health record over 83,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 5,200 deaths, but the true figures are believed to be considerably higher. Health professionals in various cities have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of suitable protective equipment. At least 1,600 doctors have contracted the virus, and 110 have died. Hamgaam’s statement concludes with a word of thanks to them: “We are very grateful to the medical professionals, including doctors and nurses who have sacrificed their lives to save the lives of their patients, and we pray for them, the patients and the families of the victims.”
‘Total religious freedom’ or is Iran one of world’s worst persecutors of Christians? 21 April 2020 Analysis Article18’s advocacy director, Mansour Borji, has addressed the often cited discrepancy between the Iranian government’s claims that there is “total religious freedom” in Iran, and rights groups’ insistency that Iran is one of the world’s worst persecutors. Speaking during a live-streamed discussion on Friday – looking into the question of why the Iranian government considers Christianity a threat – Mr Borji noted that claims of “total religious freedom” are made not only by government representatives in Iran but also by some church leaders. Set aside this, he explained that there are at least 11 Christians currently in prison in Iran on charges related to the peaceful practice of their faith. To address this inconsistency, Mr Borji said it was important not to distinguish between Iran’s “ethnic” and “non-ethnic” Christians, as is often done, but “recognised” and “un-recognised”. He pointed out that while Iran’s historically recognised Armenian and Assyrian Christian communities are afforded “limited freedoms”, at the very same time an Assyrian Christian pastor, Victor Bet-Tamraz, and his wife Shamiram, are currently facing long prison sentences for their faith, while their son, Ramiel, has only recently been released from prison. He also pointed to the example of Armenian Orthodox Christian Sevada Aghasar, who only last year was released from a five-year prison sentence. And while such Christians may be considered among the ethnic groups “recognised” by the Iranian government, Mr Borji said it is the activities of such individuals that is the defining factor as to whether or not they are at risk of persecution. “What is happening is that anybody who opens the opportunity for the general public, by offering any services – whether written, or a church service, or a TV programme, in Farsi – which allows people, regardless of their religious background or affiliation, to join, they’re the ones who are being targeted,” he explained, “Because obviously they open doors to conversions, and that’s something the Iranian government does not like to see. “So therefore, we don’t use ‘ethnic Christians and non-ethnic Christians’. We use ‘recognised Christians’ – which are constitutionally recognised groups that usually the Iranian government would like to have some agreement with – and ‘unrecognised’ groups, which could be Christians or Jews, who are non-conformists; they don’t want to abide by the illegal restrictions that are set upon their community. And, therefore, the Iranian government dislikes their activities and would like to somehow maintain control over them. And within these ‘unrecognised’ Christians, you could have Armenians, you could have Assyrians, or you could have converts from a Muslim background.” International stage Mr Borji explained that one of the reasons for the “mixed messages” is that the Iranian government is careful to protect its image on the international stage, as it wishes to benefit from trade and international relations. But he explained that while as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Iran is mandated to provide people with the freedom to practise their faith, including the right to “choose and change their religion”, Iran’s very constitution is opposed to full religious freedom, as the Shia Islamic jurisprudence upon which it is based does not allow for apostasy, and in fact provides for the death penalty for anyone leaving Islam – even if such a punishment is rarely carried out. Mr Borji said that such a contradiction may not be a problem “if it was one or two [conversions], like in many of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa, but since there are a lot, and remember that Iran is also trying to be a member of the international community – they want to benefit from trade and international relations, so they can’t always be the bad guys. And therefore you have a very quiet, systematic persecution, which tries to eliminate churches without being seen as so oppressive – so limiting the churches where people could gather, to be trained, to nurture their faith, is one way of trying to get rid of this massive phenomenon of conversion. “And secondly, if there are any people who are effective in reaching out to other people, or they’re in leadership, they’re facing arbitrary arrest and detention. A lot of them are jailed on security-related charges, as this sort of activity is now seen as an ‘action against national security’. And therefore they’re imprisoned for up to 10 years, or even more.” You can watch the video recording of the entire discussion, hosted by Heart4Iran and also featuring Todd Nettleton from Voice of the Martyrs, at the top of the page.
UN experts call for release of all prisoners of conscience 20 April 2020 News Rajaei Shahr Prison, Karaj (Photo: Ensie & Matthias / Flickr / CC) A group of UN human rights experts have called on Iran to release all prisoners of conscience, in line with its obligations as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In a joint statement on Friday, the experts welcomed the reported release of around 100,000 prisoners on short-term furloughs, but noted that “most” prisoners of conscience remain detained, including some who are “at great risk from COVID-19 due to their age or underlying health conditions”. They noted that Iranian Health Ministry officials have said that one person dies from COVID-19 every 10 minutes in Iran. The experts highlighted the cases of three human rights defenders and four dual nationals, who have either been rejected temporary release or have not received a response to their request. They added that five of the individuals had pre-existing health issues, and that two are over 60 years old, thereby “heightening the serious risk to their health if infected”. While recognising Iran’s reported struggles to access medical supplies as a result of US sanctions, the experts said Iran’s prisons have “long-standing hygiene, overcrowding and healthcare problems“. They added that Iran has a duty of care to its prisoners as a signatory to the ICCPR, “including the right of persons deprived of their liberty to be treated with humanity and with respect for their inherent dignity, and the right to life”. The experts expressed concern over reports of prisoners “sharing cells with people suffering common COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever and coughing”, and of hygiene products being “either non-existent or restricted, and physical distancing measures not enforced”. They concluded by calling for an “independent and impartial review of all cases of suspected arbitrary detention”, and for the “immediate and permanent release of all individuals found to be arbitrarily deprived of their liberty”. What’s happened to the Christian prisoners? Fatemeh (Aylar) Bakteri, Amin Khahi and Rokhsareh (Mahrokh) Ghanbari have been released from their sentences. Iran has released seven Iranian Christians in the past two months – most on short-term furloughs, but in some cases these have since been made permanent. Most recently, on Easter Sunday, Christian convert Fatemeh (Aylar) Bakhtari, 36, was told she would not need to return to Tehran’s Evin Prison to complete her one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime” – related to her membership of a house-church. Fellow Christian converts Rokhsareh (Mahrokh) Ghanbari, 62, and Amin Khaki, 36, were also told earlier this month that they will not need to return to prison. They were serving sentences of 12 and 14 months, respectively, for house-church membership. Fatemeh and Amin had completed half of their sentences, while Mahrokh still had two-thirds of her sentence to go. Previously, two other Christian converts who cannot be identified were given temporary leave from prison, and Iranian-Assyrian Christian Ramiel Bet-Tamraz was released after serving a little over half of his four-month sentence. Christian convert Fatemeh (Mary) Mohammadi, 21, was also among those temporarily released on bail in February, but she appeared in court last week and is now awaiting sentencing on charges relating to her alleged participation in January protests following the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane. Christians still in prison Clockwise from top-left: Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh, Zaman (Saheb) Fadaie, Mohammad Reza Omidi, Yousef Nadarkhani. At least 11 Christians remain in prison, on charges related to the peaceful practice of their faith, while several others are awaiting verdicts in long-running court cases. The 11 imprisoned Christians include four whose convictions are currently under review – Yousef Nadarkhani, 42, Mohammad Reza (Yohan) Omidi, 46, Zaman (Saheb) Fadaie, 36, and Nasser Navard Gol Tapeh, 58. Two of them, Saheb and Nasser, have suffered health issues, so their families are especially concerned about them. The other Christians still detained are Mohammad Ali Mossayezbazeh, who was sentenced alongside Yousef, Saheb and Yohan; Abdolreza (Matthias) Ali-Haghnejad, Shahrooz Eslamdoust, Babak Hosseinzadeh, Mehdi Khatibi, and Behnam Akhlaghi, who recently lost their appeals against five-year sentences; and Majidreza Souzanchi. Four more Christian converts – Khalil Dehghanpour, Hossein Kadivar, Kamal Naamanian and Mohammad Vafadar – are currently on bail, awaiting summonses to serve their own five-year sentences, having lost their appeals alongside Abdolreza, Shahrooz, Babak, Mehdi and Behnam. Meanwhile, court cases are ongoing for several other Christians, including Iranian-Assyrian pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz, his wife Shamiram, and three Christian converts – Hadi Asgari, Amin Afshar-Naderi and Kavian Fallah-Mohamamdi, whose next appeal hearing has been scheduled for 1 June. For an up-to-date list of all known court proceedings involving Iranian Christians, see our Prisoners List.
Iranian referee asked if he’d converted to Christianity after officiating at ‘Armenian Olympics’ 16 April 2020 News Mohammad Reza Faghani takes charge of an Iranian football match in February 2017. A top-level Iranian football referee has revealed that he was asked if he had converted to Christianity because he officiated at the final of an annual Iranian-Armenian football competition in Iran. Mohammad Reza Faghani, who has refereed in major competitions including the Asian Champions League, told Article18 that three weeks after refereeing the final of the “Armenian Olympics” in October 2016, he was accused by the Iranian Football Federation of engaging in “Christian propaganda”. Mr Faghani said the accusation was based on an Instagram post he had published in which he “explained the happiness and respect I witnessed in the ceremonies, and the humanity that I found among these dear Armenians”. He said that he had “quickly removed the post, so there would be no problems for these dear people and also for myself”, but that the consequences of the post have “caused me a lot of problems”. There are believed to be around 75,000-85,000 Iranians of Armenian descent still living in Iran, where they are considered “ethnic Christians” and are therefore afforded a measure of religious freedom, alongside Iranian-Assyrians – albeit with constraints, as Article18 has highlighted. As Mr Faghani put it, “There are many restrictions on religious minorities in Iran, and ‘freedom of religion and belief’ [in Iran] is nothing more than a slogan.” Mr Faghani left Iran in the winter of 2018, travelling first to Norway, and then to Sweden, where he has now applied for asylum while continuing to work as a referee and studying economics and business administration. “Because of the problems caused to me by the Iranian Football Federation and Ministry of Sports, I decided to referee for a while away from Iran,” he explained to Article18. “And now I have decided to apply for asylum.” Mr Faghani’s brother, Alireza, is one of Iran’s best known referees, having officiated in the finals of the Asian Champions League, Asian Cup and Club World Cup, as well as a World Cup qualifier. He has also left Iran and is now refereeing in Australia.
Imprisoned Iranian Christian says people praying for him are ‘sharing my burdens’ 16 April 2020 News An Iranian Christian convert serving a 10-year prison sentence for his membership of a Tehran house-church has written a letter thanking those who are praying for him. Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh, who is 58 years old, remains in the Iranian capital’s Evin Prison, despite the coronavirus outbreak persuading Iran to release tens of thousands of prisoners, including several Christians. In February, Nasser’s longstanding petition for a retrial was finally accepted, but the prison authorities continue to refuse him temporary leave, as well as seven other Christians, including three others whose cases are being reviewed. Rights groups have called for the release of all prisoners of conscience, as coronavirus infections and deaths have been reported in several prisons. Nasser has suffered several health issues, so his family are particularly concerned about him. In his letter, written in English, he says that he “yearns” for the company of his fellow Christians from behind the “high and barbed walls of Evin Prison”, and thanks those who have prayed for him for “sharing my burdens”. The full text of his letter is below, as well as a photograph of the letter: In the name of the Lord,“Indeed you are our glory and our joy” – 1 Thessalonians 2:20 To all dear brothers and sisters, who are bestowed upon by God’s love and grace. With greetings, while yearning your company from behind the high and barbed walls of Evin Prison. Having and cherishing the memories of the past, with a heart full of love, care and gratitude. I scribe what permeates from my heart to you.I recall your pious gatherings with one mind and heart, and sing songs in glorifying the Lord in soul and heart.I am amongst you. Walls and space do not keep me away, even though I hold the sorrow within contained; you are always in my prayers in a united love. I thank God for the support that you have showered me with, for all my problems in prison which you have shared my burdens, giving me strength, and encouraging me continuously. How lucky I am to have you beside me. Surely I could not walk on my own; the Lord carries me on his feet with the warmth of your love through the hardship of this dungeon. The prime message I heard was to love each other. May the Lord’s love and care be with you and keep you safe. “Who then can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, hardship or persecution, famine or nakedness, danger or death?” – Romans 8:35 With all my love and care,Nasser Navard