CSW Organization Criticizes US Neglect of Religious Freedom in Iran Negotiations

The Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) organization criticized the United States for neglecting religious freedom in its negotiations with Iran.

CSW is a human rights organization and Christian body that specializes in freedom of religion or belief and stands alongside all those facing injustice. The organization criticized the United States for overlooking the issue of violations of religious freedoms during nuclear negotiations with Iran.

While referencing the arbitrary detention of “Joseph Shahbazian,” a Christian citizen, by security forces, the organization emphasized violations of religious freedoms by the Islamic Republic and called on the United States to seriously pursue human rights issues in international negotiations. The issue of overlooking human rights, particularly religious and denominational freedoms in the aforementioned negotiations, has generated widespread criticism among human rights organizations.

“Khataza Gondwe,” one of the CSW organization’s directors, said in this regard: “It appears that the exclusion of human rights issues from negotiations is part of a concerning pattern. A pattern in which the international community neglects the opportunity it has to pressure the Iranian regime to comply with its international human rights obligations.

We expect the US government to ensure that human rights issues are not overlooked in the continuation of negotiations, and we call on the Iranian government to respect the rights and freedoms contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the right to freedom of religion and thought for all citizens, and to remain committed to supporting them.”