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PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: http://www.assistnews.net/ -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Human Rights Organization Leads Appeal on Behalf of Imprisoned Christians in Iran
By Jeremy ReynaldsSenior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service SURREY, ENGLAND (ANS) -- The critical situation of the evangelical church in Iran was discussed recently at a high level meeting.According to a news release from human rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Andrew Johnston, the group's advocacy director, and Mansour Borji, pastor of the Iranian Church in London, attended the Feb. 1 meeting of the European Parliament's Iran Delegation. Iran.
CSW said during the meeting, chaired by German MEP Barbara Lochbihler, MEP's also heard presentations from the Sufi and the Baha'i communities. Lochbihler has taken a lead role in European Union (EU) - Iran relations, and has on many occasions appealed for clemency for Iranians sentenced to death.
Between June 2010 and Jan. 2011, at least 202 Christians were arrested and detained across the country. On Jan. 4, when announcing the arrests of Christians, the Governor-General of Tehran, Morteza Tamadon called the evangelical movement "false, deviant and corrupt sects," and said, "Our final blow towards them is imminent." CSW said he added, "They (the evangelical churches), just like the Taliban and Wahhabis, have placed themselves within the religion of Islam like a parasite and under the cover of Christianity..."
CSW said Borji shared his experience of Iran, and detailed the appalling conditions in which 26 Christians are currently held on account of their faith, despite Iran being signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). That document guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to demonstrate one's religion or belief. The evidence presented to the EU demonstrated that Iran is in clear breach of these undertakings.
CSW's latest report on Iran was shared with MEP's, and the EU was asked to endorse its formal recommendations. They include the need for an investigation into the Iranian Government's use of the death penalty and charges of apostasy against converts from Islam, and ensuring that Iran upholds its obligations under international law.
CSW's Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said in a news release, "It is heartening to know that the rights of religious minorities in Iran are taken seriously by the EU, and by people such as Mrs Lochbilder. As part of its work in the region, CSW along with partners such as the Iranian Church, will continue to advocate for the rights of Christians and other religious minorities there. We will do all in our power to see the end of unjust arrests and imprisonment on the basis of religious belief, and we will continue to work together with all those who share this goal." CSW is a United Kingdom based human rights advocacy organization specializing in religious freedom, working on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promoting religious liberty for everyone.
For further information, visit http://www.csw.org.uk/.
Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.org/ He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "Homeless in the City."
Additional details on "Homeless in the City" are available at http://www.homelessinthecity.com/. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net.
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