The US Commission on International Religious Freedom says in its annual report that the situation of religious freedom in Iran has "worsened."
The commission has recommended that the US government continue to identify and sanction violators of minority rights and freedom of opinion in Iran.
This advisory commission, which was established by the US Congress and is considered an independent and non-partisan institution, says that the Iranian government "continues to commit targeted, persistent, and egregious violations" of religious freedom, such as "long-term imprisonment," "torture," or "execution."
According to the commission, this situation has "worsened" since Hassan Rouhani came to power in the 2013 presidential election, and he has "failed to fulfill the promises he made to strengthen the rights and individual freedoms of religious minorities."
In one of his speeches at the beginning of his presidential term, the President of Iran said, "We are all subject to the constitution, and in this constitution there is no difference between followers of ethnicities and religions, and all the people of Iran enjoy equal citizenship rights under the constitution."
Iran recognizes the Christian, Zoroastrian, and Jewish religions, and their representatives have permanent seats in the Islamic Consultative Assembly. On the other hand, it not only does not recognize religions such as Baha'i, but Iranian officials describe it as a "deviant sect."
The US Commission on Religious Freedom says that according to recent figures, 300,000 Baha'is live in Iran alongside other religious groups, "making up the largest non-Muslim minority in Iran," and that "nearly 850 of them have been arrested over the past 10 years." The commission says that at least 80 Baha'is have been imprisoned "for their religious beliefs" since February 2016 (three months ago).
The US Commission on Religious Freedom says that, according to recent figures, 300,000 Baha'is live in Iran alongside other religious groups, "making up the largest non-Muslim minority in Iran," and that "nearly 850 of them have been arrested over the past 10 years." The commission says that at least 80 Baha'is have been imprisoned "for their religious beliefs" since February 2016 (three months ago).
Of course, the accusations that Iranian judicial authorities are making against the detained Baha'is also include things like "connections with Israel," which have been denied by the detainees and their lawyers.
According to the commission, dissident Shiites, Sunni Muslims, Sufis, and Dervishes are among other groups that continue to be "harassed," "detained," or "physically and psychologically abused in prison."
In 2013, hundreds of dervishes in Lorestan province wrote to Hassan Rouhani, calling for an immediate investigation into the situation of imprisoned dervishes. The signatories of the letter cited security and judicial pressures in recent years and called on Mr. Rouhani to end “illegal treatment” of them.
Ali Younesi, the Iranian president’s special assistant for ethnic and minority affairs, called the crackdown on the Dervishes “unfortunate” and an “arbitrary move” in January 2014 that goes against “the principles and laws of the Islamic Republic.” However, he said that these clashes had occurred in the past and “have not been repeated.”
The Religious Freedom Commission says dozens of Sufis and Dervishes, Sunnis or reformist Shiites, are still in prison.
The Commission on Freedom of Religions says dozens of Sufis and Dervishes, Sunnis or reformist Shiites, are still in prison. The commission says “more than 30” Sunnis in Iran have been sentenced to death on charges of “moharebeh” (war on religion), and Sunni citizens are unable to even build their own mosques in Tehran.
Last year, a prayer room belonging to Sunni citizens in the Poonak district of Tehran was demolished by “municipal officials” with the support of “security forces.” This incident drew criticism from Sunni Friday prayer imams and “condemnation” from the World Forum for the Proximity of Islamic Religions, which is affiliated with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The forum emphasized that “generalizing” this action to “the entire Islamic system and its leadership is not appropriate.”
Violations of the rights of Christians and Christian converts, attacks on their churches, and the imprisonment of "about 90" of them "due to their religious beliefs" are among other issues mentioned in the 2016 report.
According to the commission, "One positive thing that has been seen in Iran is that Jewish students are no longer required to attend classes on Saturday (the Jewish holiday)."
The Commission on International Religious Freedom, meanwhile, says the Iranian government continues its anti-Semitic propaganda, "but these cases have not been as significant compared to previous years."
According to the commission, "One positive thing that has been seen in Iran is that Jewish students are no longer required to attend classes on Saturday (the Jewish holiday)."
The Religious Freedom Commission has also criticized the "repression" and "discriminatory conditions" against Zoroastrians, saying that four of them, who were imprisoned on charges of propagating this religion, are still in prison.
According to the commission, "harassment" of lawyers, human rights defenders, and journalists who have defended the rights of non-Muslims has also continued.
The commission has called on the US government to keep Tehran on its list of "countries of particular concern" and to continue identifying and sanctioning government officials accused of "violating religious rights and freedoms in Iran."
The United States has imposed sanctions on Tehran over human rights abuses, which remain in place, along with sanctions related to “state support for terrorism” and its ballistic missile program. These sanctions have prevented international banks from doing business with Iran or taking any major action.
Reports from advisory organizations such as the Commission on International Religious Freedom are among the things that officials in Washington seek to help them respond to other countries.
The Commission on Religious Affairs has asked the US government to keep Tehran on the list of "countries with special concerns."
The commission has recommended that issues related to religious freedom be included in bilateral and multilateral discussions with Iran, that emphasis be placed on the freedom of religious minorities and dissidents, and that the identification and sanctioning of government officials accused of "violating religious rights and freedoms in Iran" continue.
According to the commission's proposal, the United States should use a dedicated budget to expand access to new technology and programs and pave the way for Iranian citizens to freely receive information.
