UN Secretary-General Report on Continuing Discrimination Against Religious Minorities
The UN Secretary-General reported in his latest report on the continuation of discrimination against religious minorities by the Islamic Republic.
The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday, June 18, corresponding to June 28 in the Persian calendar, presented his latest report on the continued suppression and discrimination against religious and faith-based minorities, particularly Christians, to the UN Human Rights Council. In this report, the UN Secretary-General called on the Islamic Republic to protect the rights of religious minorities and end all forms of discrimination against them without delay.
Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, presented this report and, during the UN Human Rights Council session, while expressing concern about the escalating confrontation between the Islamic Republic and Israel, called for an immediate reduction in tensions.
She noted the occurrence of Israeli attacks in densely populated areas and reports of civilian casualties, and in addition to expressing renewed concern, stated: “Thousands of residents in parts of Tehran have left their homes due to warnings covering extensive areas. It is essential that both parties fully comply with international law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in densely populated areas, and I urge all influential parties to prioritize negotiations.”
Nada also referred in another section of her report to multiple instances of Christian persecution, including the arrest of three Christian citizens named “Jahangir Alikani,” “Hamed Malamiri,” and “Ghalam Ishaghi,” and added: “These citizens are among Christians who were arrested on the second and third days of Mehr month 1403 by the Islamic Republic’s security forces during raids in Nowshahr and Chalus. These individuals had previously been arrested and subjected to lengthy interrogations and pressure to deny their faith. They were tried on November 18, 1403, and were released on bail after some time. Javad Amini and his wife Farzaneh Ahmadi are among other converts who were arrested in these raids and subjected to severe interrogation.”
She again referred in her report to the arrest of over 40 Christians on December 27, 1403, who had been arrested by security officials during two separate gatherings to celebrate Christmas.
The Christian organization “Article 18” also released a statement in this regard, referring to the military confrontations between the Islamic Republic and Israel, and wrote: “We express solidarity with all civilians in Iran, Israel, and throughout the region whose lives have been disrupted by violence they did not choose and in which they had no role.” Article 18 organization in its statement called for refraining from attacking civilian infrastructure and expressed concern that Christians and other religious minorities who have been oppressed and wronged by the system for years will be able to secure their rights in the future and after the end of the confrontations.
