Holding an annual joint meeting of Christian organizations on freedom of religion and belief
The annual joint report of Christian organizations on freedom of religion or belief will be held in the UK in February.
Christian organizations Open Doors, Article 18, MAC, and the World Christian Solidarity Organization publish annual reports on Christians under persecution in countries around the world.
The Christian organization Open Doors published a report in 2021 on Christians under persecution in 50 countries around the world, in which the Islamic Republic of Iran was identified as the ninth most anti-Christian country in the world. In the report published by Open Doors, Afghanistan topped the list, with North Korea and Somalia in second and third place.
In 2022, according to reports published by this organization, Iran ranked eighth on the list. According to Open Doors, there has been little change in the situation of Christians in Iran compared to last year, but there are fears that with the coming to power of Ebrahim Raisi as president and changes in some cases of the Islamic Penal Code, the situation of Christians could worsen.
The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the spread of Christianity and the growth of house churches in Iran to be caused by Western countries that are trying to weaken the foundations of the Islamic Republic's government and its collapse. For this reason, house churches used to worship God by Muslims who have converted from Islam to Christianity have been attacked by the regime's security forces, and their members and leaders have been arrested on charges of "acting against national security" and sentenced to torture, threats, long-term imprisonment, exile, deprivation of citizenship rights, and so on.
This year (2024), Article 18 has announced a meeting of global Christian organizations to support freedom of religion or belief. According to reports published by the organization, a meeting will be held in the British Parliament hosted by Fiona Bruce on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, with the participation of Christian organizations Open Doors, MAC, and World Christian Solidarity on freedom of religion or belief.
Article 18 asked those living in the UK to invite their MP to attend the meeting using the link provided in their Instagram bio. This year’s report focuses on victims whose names and faces remain unknown. By inviting their MP to attend the meeting, people will be the voice of Christians and will be informed about the situation of Christians in Iran. These reports will greatly help to raise awareness about the situation of imprisoned Christians around the world, and with the participation of MPs in the meeting, their voices will be heard around the world.
You can apply to elect a member of parliament in the UK via the link below.
