The number of Christians arrested in Iran jumped sharply in the last six months of 2023, according to a religious rights group, which called on the government to “immediately and unconditionally” release all Christians detained on charges relating to their faith and religious activities.
The report, released by Article 18, a rights organization focused on the protection of Christians, showed 166 Christians were detained last year, an increase from the 134 arrests recorded in 2022.
The group said that while the first half of the year saw only a “handful” of arrests, a worrying trend was that from June to August there were 100 arrests and then “a further rash” of detentions around the Christmas period.
“Very few of those arrested agreed to publicize their cases, leading to an increasing number of faceless victims,” Article 18 said.
Christians are recognized as one of three religious minorities in the Islamic republic’s constitution. Despite this, the report notes, the Iranian government has harshly punished Muslims who convert to Christianity or those involved in promoting and teaching religions other than Islam.
The findings are part of a collaborative 40-page investigation by Article 18, in partnership with global Christian organizations Middle East Concern, Open Doors, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
The report showed that in 2023 at least 17 Christians arrested during the summer had been sentenced to prison terms of three to five years. Others faced penalties including fines, whipping, and community service, it added.
Authorities appeared to target distributors of the Bible, with more than one-third of those detained found in possession of multiple copies of the publication.
The report urges the government to “immediately and unconditionally” release the jailed Christians and to ensure the freedom of worship for the faith’s followers without the threat of arrest or legal action.
In the face of such pressures, numerous Christians, particularly new converts, have been compelled to flee Iran, seeking asylum in other nations to escape the restrictions and persecution faced at home.
This situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities in Iran amid calls for greater religious freedom and international scrutiny of the country’s human rights practices.
Source » rferl