UN Special Rapporteurs: Confiscation of Historic “St. Peter” Church in Tehran Violates Human Rights
United Nations special rapporteurs have condemned the confiscation of the historic evangelical St. Peter Church complex in Tehran and the forced eviction of its residents, describing the action as incompatible with international human rights law and warning that the continuation of this process threatens Iran’s Christian minorities with homelessness and broader restrictions on freedom of religion and belief.
UN special rapporteurs on freedom of religion or belief and the situation of human rights in Iran have expressed serious concern about the confiscation of the evangelical St. Peter Church complex on Sisi Metri Street in Tehran and the forced evacuation of its residents, calling for an immediate halt to the process.
Nazila Ghanea, special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and Mai Sato, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, stated in their joint statement that the forced eviction of families residing in this complex is incompatible with international human rights standards and may expose members of recognized Armenian and Assyrian minorities to homelessness. They stated: “Forced evictions are incompatible with international human rights law and expose members of recognized religious and ethnic minorities to the risk of homelessness.”
According to the statement, the St. Peter Church complex was not merely a place of worship but has served for decades as a home, school, place of worship, and center for social activities of the Iranian Protestant Christian community. The complex also housed the office of the Council of Evangelical Churches of Iran and the Bible Society.
UN experts did not view this case in isolation from other restrictions imposed on Iran’s Christians, describing it as part of a pattern that has resulted in the curtailment of Protestant church activities in recent years, particularly Persian-language churches. According to them, approximately 50 Protestant churches previously held services in Persian in Iran, but now no Protestant church is permitted to hold formal services in Persian, and many of the remaining churches operate only in Armenian or Assyrian languages.
The statement also references the closure of three Anglican churches in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz, which have not been permitted to resume operations since the COVID-19 pandemic; an issue that, according to the rapporteurs, demonstrates the persistence of restrictions on Christian freedom of worship in Iran.
The St. Peter Church case stems from a 1998 ruling by the Revolutionary Court that transferred ownership of the historic complex to the “Execution Headquarters of the Imam’s Order.” Although the Council of Evangelical Churches of Iran only learned of this ruling years after its issuance, according to human rights sources, it was unable to pursue effective legal action to reclaim the property.
In recent weeks, concerns about the future of this historic complex have intensified. Reports have emerged suggesting the possible demolition of the buildings in this complex following the complete evacuation of residents—an issue that, beyond concerns regarding religious freedom, has raised questions about the preservation of Iran’s Protestant heritage.
