Oct 7, 2011
October 6, 2011 | by USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemned the continued imprisonment of dissident Iranian Shi'a cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Kazemeni Boroujerdi, who, almost five years to the day of his arrest, reportedly suffered a heart attack a few days ago.
"Ayatollah"s Boroujerdi's already-poor health has deteriorated and prison authorities continue to deny him access to medical care outside the prison facility where he is held,” said USCIRF chair Leonard Leo . "Pure and simple, this man, who has suffered from a serious heart condition and other physical ailments, has been unjustly detained and treated cruelly and harshly because his views differ from those of the Islamic Republic's leadership,” said Leo.
In October 2006, Ayatollah Boroujerdi, who advocates the separation of religion and state and has spoken out on behalf of the rights of Iran's religious minorities as well as those of its Shi'a Muslim majority, was arrested and imprisoned without charge. He and 17 of his followers initially were tried by a special court with jurisdiction over Shi'a clerics, and sentenced to death on spurious charges, including "enmity against God” and spreading propaganda against the regime. After an appeal, the death sentence was withdrawn and Ayatollah Boroujerdi was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Ayatollah Boroujerdi currently is serving his prison term, and the government has banned him from practicing his clerical duties and confiscated his home and belongings. Ayatollah Boroujerdi's supporters claim that he has suffered physical and mental abuse while in prison.
The Special Court for the Clergy, which is under the juridiction of the Supreme Leader and operates outside the confines of the Iranian judiciary, tries members of the Shi'a religious establishment in Iran. According to human rights groups, the court's procedures fall far short of international standards. Not only are proceedings held behind closed doors, but defendants can be represented only by clergymen nominated by the court and they are not required to possess any legal credentials.
"Ayatollah Boroujerdi is a dissident cleric who has a long record of speaking out in defense of the universal rights of all Iranian citizens, including religious minorities,” said USCIRF Chair Leo. "The United States and the international community should call for his immediate and unconditional release, especially given news of his deteriorating health,” said Leo.
Sep 28, 2011
September 28, 2011| by USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed deep concern about the fate of Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who this week has appeared daily before an Iranian court demanding that he recant his faith or face execution for apostasy. USCIRF also is concerned about deteriorating conditions for all religious minorities in Iran.
After being arrested in October 2009 and receiving an informal, oral death sentence for apostasy soon after, Mr. Nadarkhani eventually was tried and the sentenced in September 2010 and, in November 2010, received a written verdict with a sentence of execution by hanging. After an appeal, in June 2011, the Iranian Supreme Court upheld the verdict but sought an investigation to determine whether or not as an adult Mr. Nadarkhani had converted to Christianity from Islam. Despite finding that he had not converted as an adult, an Iranian court this week demanded that Mr. Nadarkhani recant his Christian faith because of his Muslim ancestry. While his immediate fate is uncertain, a previous official fatwa issued in Iran gives a defendant three days to recant his or her faith after which a sentence can be implemented any time thereafter. His fourth and final appearance is scheduled for today, Wednesday.
"Despite the finding that Mr. Nadarkhani did not convert to Christianity as an adult, the court continues to demand that he recant his faith or otherwise be executed,” said USCIRF chair Leonard Leo . "The most recent court proceedings are not only a sham, but are contrary to Iranian law and international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party,” said Leo.
Other religious minorities in Iran face increasing repression and discrimination. About 100 Baha'is currently are in prison solely because of their faith, and trials began this week for several staff members of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education, an entity which has given Baha'i professors and teachers - debarred by the Iranian government from practicing their professions - the opportunity to teach Baha'i youth who are themselves banned from any form of education beyond high school. In addition, seven Baha'i leaders are serving the fourth year of a 20-year prison sentence on baseless charges, including espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order, and cooperation with Israel.
Arrests of Sufi Muslims have accelerated this year. Earlier this month, a Sufi Muslim from the Gonabadi order was killed and several were injured during a government crackdown in southwestern Iran, during which the Basij militia arrested at least 60 Sufis.
Officially recognized minorities, including Zoroastrians, Christians, and Jews, also are badly mistreated, their religious services targeted for arbitrary raids, and some have been jailed. Just last month, a Zoroastrian man began serving a four and a half year prison term, charged and convicted of propaganda of the Zoroastrian faith; a number of his relatives were convicted and imprisoned last year on blasphemy and other charges. Early this month, several leaders of a Christian house church network in various parts of the country were arrested, and their whereabouts are unknown. A number of other Christians arrested this year remain in prison. In addition, the Iranian government's incessant anti-Semitic propaganda continues to foster a hostile atmosphere for Jews.
"These recent developments demonstrate how the Iranian government is ratcheting up its repression of religious minorities across the board,” said Leo.
"While it is imperative that the U.S. government and international community demand the immediate release of Mr. Nadarkhani and other prisoners of conscience, it is equally important that the U.S. government and the European Union push for accountability by continuing to identify and impose sanctions on Iranian officials and entities responsible for human rights and religious freedom abuses,” said Leo.
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF's principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at [email protected] or (202) 523-3257.
Sep 13, 2011
September 13, 2011 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the designation of "countries of particular concern” (CPCs) by the Obama administration and its release of the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom.USCIRF urges increased U.S. government action to promote freedom of religion or belief.
"The Commission welcomes the first CPC designations of the Obama administration, but is concerned that no new countries were added to the list,” said Leonard Leo , USCIRF Chair. "Repeating the current list continues glaring omissions, such as Pakistan and Vietnam. Since CPC designations can be made at any time, we respectfully urge Secretary Clinton to consider the six additional countries we recommended for designation.”
The State Department today designated eight countries as CPCs: Burma, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), Eritrea, Iran, the People's Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan. Earlier this year, USCIRF recommended that the Secretary of State designate those eight as CPCs, and also recommended the designation of Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.
"We welcome the concurrent release of CPC designations and the State Department's international religious freedom report. This respects the intent of Congress to base designations on these annual reports,” said Leo. "Many of the State Department's findings mirror our own: serious religious freedom abuses continue to occur around the world. We urge the State Department to follow up with vigorous U.S. diplomatic activity to seek improvements with respect to this fundamental human right.”
"Despite our call for new designations, USCIRF commends the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom and Amb. Johnson Cook for their efforts in comprehensively surveying the situation of religious freedom around the globe,” said Mr. Leo.
The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) requires the State Department to undertake an annual review of every country to "determine whether the government of that country has engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” Any country meeting that threshold is to be designated a "country of particular concern,” or CPC, and the U.S. government is required to take action to encourage improvements in each CPC country. IRFA provides a range of possibilities for such action, from bilateral agreements to sanctions.
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF's principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at (202) 523-3257.