The gross and ongoing violations of religious freedom in Iran are condemned

The American Commission's statement condemned the gross and ongoing violations of religious freedom in Iran.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a statement on Friday, November 8, condemning the gross and ongoing violations of religious freedom.

The statement by the US Commission was released four days after the execution of Arvin Ghahramani, a 20-year-old Jewish man from Kermanshah. The Iranian judiciary had sentenced him to death when he was 18 years old on charges of premeditated murder in a gang fight, and he was executed on the morning of Monday, November 5. However, judicial authorities had not informed Arvin’s family and lawyers of the execution.

According to jurisprudential laws and Article 310 of the Islamic Penal Code, a Muslim is not subject to retribution if he kills a non-Muslim, but a non-Muslim is executed if he kills a Muslim.

The US commission, which wrote in its annual report about the torture, rape, and repression of protesters, including children, in Iran, also reported the continued severe violations of the rights of religious minorities, including Christians, especially citizens who have converted from Islam to Christianity. The commission also reported in recent months that the Iranian government systematically and purposefully provides false and misleading information about religious minorities.

Now, four days after the execution of Arvin Ghahremani, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a statement in response to the executions in Iran. The statement, while referring to recent human rights violations in Iran, including the arrest of "Deere" a student protesting mandatory hijab, the pressure on human rights defender Narges Mohammadi, and the harassment of Baha'i citizens, called on the Biden administration to fully implement the "Mahsa Law."

Under this law, the U.S. government imposes targeted sanctions on senior Iranian officials and key entities responsible for human rights violations, such as violations of freedom of religion or belief. The U.S. Commission also called on the U.S. government to designate the Islamic Republic of Iran as a country of “particular concern” due to its systematic and gross violations of religious freedom.

In response to the execution of Arvin Ghahremani, the United States Commissioner for Religious Freedom, Suzy Goleman, condemned his execution and said, "This is a gross violation of religious freedom that reflects the precarious situation of Jews in Iran."