Dec 16, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2019

 


 

 

USCIRF Disappointed UN Security Council Did Not Discuss Religious Freedom in North Korea

 

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expresses disappointment that the United Nations Security Council did not hold a special meeting specifically to address North Korea’s human rights and religious freedom record on International Human Rights Day (December 10) this year. Between 2014-2017, the Security Council had held special meetings on Human Rights Day focused on North Korea. On December 11, the Security Council did hold a meeting focused on North Korea’s missile tests and nuclear program.

“North Korea is one of the darkest countries in the world for religious freedom,” said USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer. “Tens of thousands of Christians and other religious followers have been arrested, tortured, sent to labor camps, or even executed simply for expressing their faith.”

“USCIRF certainly appreciates the Trump administration’s efforts to address the security situation on the Korean peninsula, but such efforts should not come at the expense of focusing on religious freedom,” added USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin. “We urge the administration to support putting North Korea’s human rights and religious freedom record on the Security Council agenda in 2020.”

In its 2019 Annual Report, USCIRF called upon the administration to incorporate human rights and religious freedom into ongoing negotiations with North Korea and to fill the current vacancy for the Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues. In a 2018 Policy Update, USCIRF also urged the North Korean government to permit international human rights monitors unfettered access the country. 

 

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or 202-523-3240.

 

Additional Name(s): Saham Aramin, سهام آرمین

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/23/2018

Date of Release: October/16/2019

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Saham Armin

Extra Bio Info:

Saham Armin was imprisoned for his religious identity and activity.

On September 23, 2018, intelligence agents arrested Armin following a raid on his home. His arrest coincided with a wave of arrests targeting the Baháʼí community. Armin was reportedly placed in solitary confinement.

On October 10, 2018, Armin was reportedly transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan Province.

Iran Wire reported that Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced Armin to three years in prison in November 2018. He was reportedly charged with “membership in the illegal Baha’i administration with the purpose of acting against domestic security” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic regime by teaching the Baha’i Faith.” United For Iran reports that Armin was sentenced to three years in prison and was charged with "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC) and "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC).

In December 2018/January 2019, it was reported that an appeals court had upheld Armin's sentence.

On October 16, 2019, Armin was released conditionally.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): میلاد داوردان

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: September/23/2018

Current Status: Unknown

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Milad Davardan

Extra Bio Info:

Milad Davardan was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On September 23, 2018, intelligence agents arrested Davardan following a raid on his home. His arrested coincided with a wave of arrests targeting the Baháʼí community. Davardan was reportedly placed in solitary confinement.

On October 10, 2018, Davardan was reportedly transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan Province.

Iran Wire reported that Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced Davardan to six years in prison in November 2018. He was reportedly charged with “membership in the illegal Baha’i administration with the purpose of acting against domestic security” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic regime by teaching the Baha’i Faith.” United For Iran reports that Davardan was sentenced to five years in prison and was charged with "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security (Art. 499 IPC) and "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC).

In December 2018/January 2019, it was reported that an appeals court had upheld Davardan's sentence.

United For Iran reported that Davardan had likely been released in September/October 2019; however, that information has not been confirmed with additional reporting.

Davardan is married.

Publicly Available Information:
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