US Religious Freedom Annual Report: Repression and Discrimination Against Christian and Baha'i Converts in Iran
The State Department's annual International Religious Freedom Report, released Tuesday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, highlights the repression of Christian and Baha'i converts in Iran, violations of religious freedom in Saudi Arabia, and widespread religious imprisonment in North Korea.
The detailed report, which addresses violations of religious freedom in many countries around the world, also says that the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar has not yet stopped.
"In societies where fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, and peaceful assembly are under attack, we see conflict, instability, and terrorism," Pompeo said at the event. "On the other hand, governments and societies that uphold these freedoms are safer, more stable, and more peaceful."
Pages 44 to 50 are from the US State Department's report on the status of religious freedom in Iran.
The report says that there are two types of behavior regarding religious freedom in Iran: recognized religions and religions that Iran does not recognize.
Baha'i followers and those who have recently converted to Christianity – Christian converts – are included in the group that Iran does not recognize.
The report said that although a number of Baha'is were released from prison last year, others were arrested and imprisoned for their religious beliefs. The report also said that discrimination against these minorities in educational, social, and occupational matters continues.
The report states that Christian converts and house church leaders have been persecuted and harassed, and some have been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
The annual report on religious freedom states that the Iranian government has developed the ability to interpret religions online, posing a threat to internet users. The report also mentions the situation of Spanta Niknam and her removal from the city council because of her Zoroastrianism.
Spanta Niknam, who had been a member of the Yazd City Council for four years since 2013, was re-elected to the council in the 2017 elections. However, following a complaint from a conservative candidate who had not received the necessary votes to be elected to the council, Mr. Niknam's membership in the Yazd City Council was suspended by a ruling of the Administrative Court of Justice on the grounds that he was a non-Muslim.
The report says that although Hassan Rouhani's government has promised to address some issues related to religious freedom, no promises in this area have yet been fulfilled.
The report said that given the current conditions in Iran, it is still recommended that Iran remain on the list of countries of "particular concern."
The report also pointed to the continued ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims and stated that the process of this cleansing has not stopped.
In North Korea, according to the report, between 80,000 and 120,000 political prisoners are held in terrible prisons in very poor conditions for reasons related to their religious beliefs.
In Pakistan, according to this report, 50 people were imprisoned last year on charges of "blasphemy," and it is said that 17 of them faced the death penalty.
Saudi Arabia has also been criticized for discriminating against its Shiite minority, but the report also welcomed the crown prince's promises of greater freedom.
Source: Radio Farda
