Iran Urged To Release Christians And Baha’i Leaders
ICC Note
“Iranian government must immediately release all detained Baha’is and Christians without charge and stop the arbitrary detention and systematic discrimination of non-Muslims in Iran .”
05/30/2008 Iran (BosNewsLife)- A leading Christian rights group on Friday, May 30, demanded the “immediate release” of detained Baha’is and Christians in Iran , who it said, “have been arrested and held without charge” since early this month.
During the last three weeks, at least 12 Muslim converts to Christianity have been arrested and detained by Iranian police, said Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). At least three of them are still being held in undisclosed locations, according to several rights groups and local Christians.
In addition, CSW reported, that on May 14, six members of Iran ’s Baha’i national leadership were arrested in early morning raids. “That brings the total number of Baha’i leaders being held incommunicado and without charge to seven,” said CSW, adding that it “has grave concerns for their welfare.”
CSW National Director Stuart Windsor told BosNewsLife in a statement that the “Iranian government must immediately release all detained Baha’is and Christians without charge and stop the arbitrary detention and systematic discrimination of non-Muslims in Iran.”
“Engage Iran ”
The Britain-based group urged the British government and European Union “to engage with Iran on human rights, including the right to freedom of religion and belief, in bilateral and multilateral talks.”
CSW is a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom and says it has worked “on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.”
