Disturbing Crackdown On Christianity Revealed
Christians in Iran faced a notable increase in arrests during 2023, with authorities seemingly targeting Bible distributors, as highlighted in a recent report by prominent persecution monitoring organizations. The joint annual report, released by Article 18, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors, and Middle East Concern, scrutinizes the Iranian regime’s actions against religious communities, particularly Christians, subjecting them to arrests, fines, and floggings.
Despite a comparable number of arrests to previous years, the report noted a decrease in publicized cases, with only 166 documented arrests in 2023, compared to 134 in 2022. The arrests occurred in waves, starting with a few before June and escalating to over 100 within three months over the summer, followed by another surge during Christmas.
Of those arrested, at least 17 received prison sentences or non-custodial punishments, including fines, floggings, and even community service, on charges of “propaganda against the state.” The report suggests a deliberate timing of these arrests leading up to the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, a young woman who died in custody after being arrested for improperly wearing her hijab, sparking protests in 2022.
In Iran, conversion from Islam to Christianity is illegal, and membership in house churches can lead to severe sentences. Traditional Christian communities are often treated as second-class citizens, and Iranians are prohibited from reading the Bible in Farsi or supporting Christian converts.
The report highlights a concerning trend of targeting Bible distributors, with over one-third of arrests involving individuals possessing multiple copies of the Bible. Additionally, Christians continue to face harassment and surveillance even after release from prison, with some reporting constant monitoring of their homes and online activities.
Recommendations in the report include calling on Iran to release Christians detained for their faith and to allow Persian-speaking Christians to worship freely without fear of arrest. The international community is urged to hold Iran accountable for its actions under international law and to expedite resettlement for Iranian Christians residing in Turkey, where there is a high risk of refoulement.
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