New 2018 Report on Iran’s Violation of the Rights of Christians

By International Christian Concern
Persecution.org

A new report details how last year brought continued violation of religious freedom for Iranian Christians, cumulating in an unprecedented wave of raids targeting the underground church during the Christmas season. 

The report, which was compiled by a number of human rights groups, details the status of several imprisoned Christians, church closures, property rights violations, as well as the surveillance and harassment of Christians.

The report, which is entitled the 2018 Annual Report (on) Violations of the Rights of Christians in Iran, states:

“Religious and political leaders in Iran continue to speak out against Christianity. It is therefore unsurprising that the Christian community experiences repression in various forms. The Iranian intelligence service (MOIS) closely monitors Christian activity and, together with the Revolutionary Guard (IRCG), has raided Christian gatherings in private homes, arresting all in attendance and confiscating personal property. Those arrested have been subjected to intensive and often abusive interrogation.”

A majority of the reported violations involved Christian converts from Islam being rejected by society, and many minorities imprisoned or sentenced to long jail terms. Christian minorities encountered erratic house raids on private house gatherings, leading to a large amount of arrests, or their sentences upheld by the Court of Appeal. Also, in several cases, church properties remained under constant threat of confiscation and closure.

Website: Persecution.org

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Iranian Christian Convert Loses Appeal Against 10-Year Prison Sentence for 'Missionary Activities'

World Watch Monitor from left to right: Bahram Nasibov, Eldar
    Gurbanov, Yusif Farhadov, and Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh

By James Macinytre
Christian Today

An Iranian convert to Christianity has had his 10-year prison sentence for 'missionary activities' upheld after losing his appeal, World Watch Monitor has reported.

Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh was sentenced in May alongside three Azerbaijanis, and all four men were given 10-year sentences for 'missionary activities' and 'actions against national security' in Iran.

However, the three Azerbaijanis – Eldar Gurbanov, Yusif Farhadov and Bahram Nasibov – were released from Iran in November 2016 and, according to WWM, are unlikely to be forced to return, despite their representatives also failing to overturn their verdicts during the hearing on 

November 12.

The four men were arrested after security agents raided a wedding party in Tehran in June 2016, according to WWM. They spent four months in prison before being released on bail, after which the Azerbaijani men travelled home.

The charges were described as 'unwarranted and unjustifiable' by Mervyn Thomas, the chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

According to the advocacy group Article 18, 21 Christians have been sentenced to long prison terms in Iran since May.

Iran is ranked 8th on the Open Doors 2017 World Watch List of the 50 countries in which it is most difficult to live as a Christian.

In 2016, over 193 Christians were arrested for attending these prayer meetings and Bible studies in 'house churches' according to WWM.

Website: Christian Today

Persecution Unveiled has been called by God to prick the consciences of this nation and all free people to speak up and act on behalf of those who have no voice.  Follow us on  Pinterest, and Google and like us on Facebook. 

Sweden Tells Iranian Christian Woman Fearing Deportation It’s Her ‘Problem She Decided to Become Christian’

Open Doors Report: Iran Ranked Eighth on 'World Watch List' of World's Top 50 Countries Persecuting Christians 

By Pamela Geller

“Sweden Tells Iranian Christian Woman Fearing Deportation It’s Her ‘Problem She Decided to Become Christian,'” by Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post, August 7, 2017:

An Iranian actress, who moved to Sweden after her conversion from Islam to Christianity following a vision of Jesus in her dream, is now facing deportation and has been told by Swedish authorities “it’s not our problem if you decided to become a Christian” even if the refusal of asylum results in rape, torture or death.

“They said to me it’s your personal life and it’s not our problem if you decided to become a Christian, and it’s your problem,” Christian Broadcasting Network quoted Aideen Strandsson as saying.

Strandsson traveled to Sweden in 2014 on a work visa, and has twice been denied asylum in that country. 

“It is really dangerous for me and I don’t know why immigration doesn’t believe that,” she said. “I’m really in danger.”

However, Swedish authorities do not seem to care. “Her case has been appealed and processed by the Migration Agency and thereafter by the Swedish courts, which have also decided that she cannot be granted asylum,” Swedish migration board official Ulrika Langels told CBN.

Swedish attorney Gabriel Donner pointed out, “The (Swedish) migration board information regarding Iranian prisons tell us that torture and rape is common and it is a breach of international law to subject any person to such treatment. Some of them are killed straight off, some of them succeed in going into hiding, some of them escape to another place, but you are putting them at risk.”

Strandsson’s Iranian passport has been taken away. Her first choice is to remain in Sweden, if possible, the actress said.

“I read the Bible and I understood what Jesus said about peace, about love, about kindness, and in my heart I became a Christian when I was in Iran,” she said earlier.

Pamela Geller's report continues

Blogger's note: Many muslims are coming to Jesus through dreams and visions.  Please pray for Aideen that she will be given asylum and not be deported from Sweden. Pray also for Christians who are under heavy persecution in muslim countries.

Persecution Unveiled has been called by God to prick the consciences of this nation and all free people to speak up and act on behalf of those who have no voice.  Follow us on  Pinterest, and Google; like us on Facebook, and visit our website using this link.