Fines, Torture, and Suppression of Iranian Christians by the Islamic Republic
“Fox News” reported on the fines, torture, and suppression of Iranian Christians by the Islamic Republic government.
“Fox News” on Sunday, March 3 (13th of Esfand), published a report on violations of the rights of religious minorities, particularly Christians, in the Islamic Republic. The news site stated: “Although Christians, according to the claims of the Islamic Republic, live freely in Iran, evidence shows the opposite. The non-governmental organization for religious freedom ‘Article 18’ also declared in a February report that many Iranian Christians face various forms of violent behavior, including arrest, flogging, imprisonment, and other forms of harassment.”
Reverend “Johnny Moore,” chairman of the Congress of Christian Leaders of America, told Fox News regarding violence against Iranian Christians: “The State Department’s mistaken policies toward the Islamic Republic have serious consequences for the entire world, and this is one of them. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the mullahs feel that they can kill anyone they want and be accountable to no one. Therefore, every day more people are arrested and killed, and the terrorist leaders of the Islamic Republic enjoy shedding blood, especially the blood of women and Christians.”
Reverend Johnny Moore added regarding the harassment and persecution of women and Christians by the Iranian regime: “The Iranian regime harasses them because it fears the power and determination of Iranian women and knows that Iranian Christians only fear God and are not afraid of the Ayatollahs. The more the religious leaders of the Islamic Republic threaten, imprison, and torture their Christian followers, the more people convert to this religion, and there is no church in the world that, despite its underground activities, has grown faster than the Church in Iran.”
Reverend Moore, while referring to the fact that Iranian women are waiting for the day when the world greets the first female president in a free Iran, added: “The religious leaders of Iran fight women and religious minorities, including Christians, for one clear reason, and that is because they know very well that ultimately we will win.”
A U.S. State Department spokesperson also said regarding violent behavior toward Christians in Iran: “The harassment and torture of Christians and other religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran is documented. The United States condemns these actions and uses all the tools at its disposal to address gross human rights violations. The violent behavior of the Islamic Republic toward Iranian Christians is recorded in the reports of Article 18 organization and demonstrates that the religious rulers of the Islamic Republic continue to harass and persecute Christians, especially evangelical Christians and new believers.”
“Shina Vojudi,” an Iranian Christian, also told Fox News: “Christianity in Iran is classified as a political-security crime. Despite this, every day more Iranians convert to Christianity. The ruling regime in Iran, due to fear of collapse, has increased harassment, persecution, and arrests, of which Iranian Christians are among the victims. The persecution of Christians began after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Since then, the Islamic Republic has killed at least 15 Iranian priests. The Islamic Republic also intensified harassment of the Christian community and treatment of Christian converts after the Green Movement.”
In the Article 18 organization’s report, while referring to widespread threats against Iranian Christians, the international community was asked to take steps to improve their situation and demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran provide freedom of religion and belief for all its citizens and, in bilateral and multilateral dialogues, emphasize the prohibition of human rights violations.
