An Iranian’s Account of Discrimination by the Islamic Republic at the Global Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom

On Monday, President Donald Trump delivered remarks at the Global Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. Following the speech by the U.S. President, Mike Pompeo addressed violations of the rights of religious minorities in other countries, and among those who witnessed violations of rights in other countries, he first asked “Dabrina Bet Tamraz” from Iran to speak.

Ms. “Dabrina Bet Tamraz” is the daughter of Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz, who is imprisoned in Iran.

Ms. “Bet Tamraz” said that she is from the Assyrians of Iran and her family has been repeatedly targeted for harassment by the Iranian regime. According to her, her parents were arrested and imprisoned by the Islamic Republic even though they were not engaged in missionary activities.

She also spoke of pressure on approximately two hundred Christians in 2018 in Iran and noted that beyond Christians, the Islamic Republic of Iran discriminates against Baha’is, Sunnis, and Dervishes.

Ms. “Bet Tamraz” concluded by calling on the international community to hold Iran accountable for its mistreatment of religious minorities.

Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz and his wife Shamiran Issavi are from the Assyrians of Iran, each sentenced to 10 years and five years of imprisonment respectively by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court.

Earlier, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Friday, August 2, in a tweet in response to news of the arrest of Mahrukh Ghanbari, a Christian convert, in Iran, that the Islamic Republic should release her today.

Source: Voice of America