11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Christians in Iran: Protestant and evangelical churches report restrictions on their activities ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23035]

"[...] The majority of the approximately 300,000 Christians in the country were ethnic Armenians and Assyro-Chaldeans. Protestant denominations and evangelical churches existed and reported restrictions on their activities. The authorities became particularly vigilant in recent years in curbing proselytizing activities by evangelical Christians.

Some unofficial 2004 estimates indicated that there were approximately 100,000 Muslim-born citizens who had converted to Christianity. The UNSR estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 Christians emigrated each year; however, given the continued exodus from the country for economic and social reasons, it was difficult to establish the role religion played in the choice to emigrate."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

About 300.000 Christians live in Iran: The majority are Armenians; there are also Protestant communities and Assyrian Christians ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21127]

"According to U.N. figures, 300,000 Christians live in the country, the majority of whom are ethnic Armenians. There are Protestant denominations, including evangelical religious groups. Christian groups outside the country estimate the size of the Protestant Christian community to be less than 10,000, although many Protestant Christians reportedly practice in secret. Unofficial estimates for the Assyrian Christian population are between 10,000 and 20,000. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Apostasy is liable to prosecution; Evangelical church leaders are admonished not to evangelize Muslims or to allow Muslims to attend church services ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21188]

"Apostasy, specifically conversion from Islam, is punishable by death, although there were no reported cases of the death penalty being applied for apostasy during the reporting period. Proselytizing of Muslims by non-Muslims is illegal.

Evangelical church leaders are subject to pressure from authorities to sign pledges that they will not evangelize Muslims or allow Muslims to attend church services."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Evangelical Christian groups have to compile and submit membership lists for their congregations ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21220]

"Government policy and practice contributed to severe restrictions on religious freedom. All non-Shi'a religious minorities suffer varying degrees of officially sanctioned discrimination, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and housing.

The Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance (Ershad) and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) monitor religious activity closely. Members of recognized religious minorities are not required to register with the Government, and religion is not noted on national identity cards; however, their communal, religious, and cultural events and organizations, including schools, are monitored closely. [...] The Government required evangelical Christian groups to compile and submit membership lists for their congregations."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Assyrian Christians were permitted to write their own textbooks, printed by government expense ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21222]

"The Government generally allowed recognized religious minorities to conduct religious education for their adherents in separate schools, although it restricted this right considerably in some cases. The Ministry of Education, which imposed certain curriculum requirements, supervised these schools. With few exceptions, the directors of such private schools must be Muslim.

Attendance at the schools was not mandatory for recognized religious minorities. The Ministry of Education must approve all textbooks used in coursework, including religious texts. Recognized religious minorities could provide religious instruction in non-Persian languages, but such texts required approval by the authorities. This approval requirement sometimes imposed significant translation expenses on minority communities.

However, Assyrian Christians reported that their community was permitted to write its own textbooks, which, following government authorization, were then printed at government expense and distributed to the Assyrian community.

"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Growth of underground churches in Iran ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21277]

"Reportedly, the President called for an end to the development of Christianity in the country. Christian groups outside the country reported the growth of underground churches in the country during the reporting period."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In September 2006 two evangelical Christians who operated an independent church were arrested; they were released after 10 days ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21335]

"On September 26, 2006, authorities arrested evangelical Christians Fereshteh Dibaj and Reza Montazami at their home in the northeastern part of the country. Dibaj and Montazami operated an independent church in Mashhad. The Information Ministry held the couple for 10 days without bringing any charges, and agents confiscated their home computer and other belongings. They were released on October 5, 2006."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Abuses against Muslim converts to Christianity: Arrests; doubted charges of drug trafficking; kidnapping; killing ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21336]

"On July 24, 2006, authorities arrested Issa Motamedi Mojdehi, a Muslim convert to Christianity, following his attempt to register the birth of his son. Charges of drug trafficking were brought against him, which Christian groups said was an attempt to punish him for his conversion.

On May 2, 2006, a Muslim convert to Christianity, Ali Kaboli, was taken into custody in Gorgan, after several years of police surveillance, and threatened with prosecution if he did not leave the country. He was interrogated and was held incommunicado before being released on June 12, 2006.

On November 22, 2005, a Muslim convert to Christianity, Ghorban Tori, was kidnapped from his house in the northeast and killed. His body was later returned to his house. Tori was a pastor at an independent house church of converted Christians. After the killing, security officials searched his house for Bibles and banned Christian books in Persian. In the previous week, according to some sources, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security arrested and tortured 10 Christians in several cities."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Conference of the Assemblies of God Church raided by the police in 2004: 80 religious leaders arrested but later released; Pastor Hamid Pourmand, a converted Muslim, was tried in a military court on charges of espionage and was found guilty in February 2005;Pourmand was released in July 20066 ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21426]

"In 2004 security officials raided the annual general conference of the country's Assemblies of God Church, arresting approximately 80 religious leaders gathered at the church's denominational center in Karaj.

Assemblies of God Pastor Hamid Pourmand, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity nearly 25 years ago and who led a congregation in Bushehr, was the only detainee not released.
In late January 2005 he was tried in a military court on charges of espionage, and on February 16, 2005, he was found guilty and sentenced to 3 years. Pourmand, who was a noncommissioned officer, was discharged from the army and forfeited his entire income, pension, and housing for his family. A website documenting persecution of Christians reported that Pourmand was released on July 20, 2006."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Between 1990 and 2005 at least 15 evangelical Christians were reportedly missing or disappeared ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19378]

"According to an AI report in 2005, between 15 and 23 evangelical Christians were reportedly missing or "disappeared" during the past 15 years."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The Christian community has about 300.000 members, predominately ethnic Armenians and Assyro-Chaldeans; 15.000 to 20.000 Christians emigrate each year ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20779]

"In 2001 the UNSR estimated the Christian community at approximately 300,000. Of these the majority were ethnic Armenians and Assyro-Chaldeans. Protestant denominations and evangelical churches also were active, but they reported restrictions on their activities. The authorities became particularly vigilant in recent years in curbing proselytizing activities by evangelical Christians.

Some unofficial estimates circa 2004 indicated that there were approximately 100,000 Muslim-born citizens who had converted to Christianity.

The UNSR estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 Christians emigrated each year; however, given the continued exodus from the country for economic and social reasons, it was difficult to establish the role religion played in the choice to emigrate."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

2 Christian citizens who operated an independent church in Mashdad were arrested in September 2006 and held 10 days without any charges ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20830]

"On September 26, authorities arrested Fereshteh Dibaj and Reza Montazami, Christian citizens, at their home in the northeastern part of the country.

The Information Ministry held the couple for 10 days without bringing any charges against them, and agents confiscated their home computer and other belongings.
They were released on October 5. Dibaj and Montazami operated an independent church in Mashhad."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In 2004 Hamid Pourmand, a former military officer, was arrested and later convicted for not declaring he had converted to Christianity; the Revolutionary Court cleared him of apostasy but sentenced him to 3 years in prison for espionage ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20831]

"In 2004 authorities reportedly arrested a number of Christians in the northern part of the country and imprisoned Hamid Pourmand, a Protestant minister and former military officer. In February 2005 a military court convicted Pourmand of "deceiving the armed forces" for not declaring he was a convert to Christianity. He was sentenced to three years in prison and discharged from the military. A judiciary spokesman said Pourmand was convicted for involvement with a "political group" and not because of his religion.

In May 2005 the Bushehr Revolutionary Court cleared Pourmand of apostasy but sentenced him to three years in prison for espionage. At year's end there was no further information."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Evangelical Christians are closely monitored; proselytizing activities strictly prohibited ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17647]

"The Government vigilantly enforced its prohibition on proselytizing activities by evangelical Christians by closely monitoring their activities, closing their churches, and arresting Christian converts. Members of evangelical congregations were required to carry membership cards, photocopies of which must be provided to the authorities. Worshippers were subject to identity checks by authorities posted outside congregation centers. The Government restricted meetings for evangelical services to Sundays and church officials were ordered to inform the Ministry of Information and Islamic Guidance before admitting new members to their congregations.

[...] Evangelical church leaders were subject to pressure from authorities to sign pledges that they would not evangelize Muslims or allow Muslims to attend church services. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Harassment of worshippers of "Assembly of God" congregation ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17650]

"[...] In previous years, the Government harassed churchgoers in Tehran, in particular worshippers of the capital's Assembly of God congregation. This harassment included conspicuous monitoring outside Christian premises by Revolutionary Guards to discourage Muslims or converts from entering church premises, as well as demands for the presentation of the identity papers of worshippers inside. In 2004, there were reports of the arrest of several dozen evangelical Christians in the north, including a Christian pastor, his wife, and their two teenage children in Chalous, Mazandaran Province. Many of those arrested were later released, and the pastor and his family were released after six weeks in detention. One press source reported that authorities ordered those jailed to stop meeting for worship and to "stop talking about Jesus." Christians continued to be subject to harassment and close surveillance. [...]

 [...] In 2004, security officials raided the annual general conference of the country's Assemblies of God Church, arresting approximately eighty religious leaders gathered at the church's denominational center in Karaj. After fingerprinting and questioning, authorities released all but ten pastors later that day. Of these, nine were released. Assemblies of God Pastor Hamid Pourmand, a former Muslim of Assyrian Christian background who converted to Christianity nearly twenty-five years ago and who led a congregation in Bushehr, was the only detainee not released. Later that year, Pourmand, who was also a non-commissioned officer in the Army, was moved to a military prison. In late January 2005 he was tried in a military court on charges of espionage. On February 16, 2005, he was found guilty of espionage and sentenced to three years, and was transferred to Evin prison to serve his sentence. A military appeals court subsequently affirmed the verdict and the sentence. As a consequence, Pourmand faced automatic discharge from the army and forfeit of his entire income, pension, and housing for his family. In mid-April, the authorities abandoned preliminary hearings against Pourmand before a Tehran General and Revolutionary Court on two separate charges of apostasy and proselytizing, both capital crimes, reportedly after news of his trial leaked out to the international press. In May, he was transferred from Tehran to his home city of Bushehr to stand trial in a General and Revolutionary Court on these charges. On May 28, that court acquitted Pourmand on apostasy and proselytizing charges, and he was sent back to Tehran's Evin prison to serve out the remainder of his three-year prison sentence. In August 2005, there were reports that he continued to face pressure from prison officials to recant his Christian faith and return to Islam. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

A muslim convert to Christianity killed, another taken into custody ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17653]

"On November 22, 2005, a Muslim convert to Christianity, Ghorban Tori, was kidnapped from his house in the northeast and killed. His body was later returned to his house. Tori was a pastor at an independent house church of converted Christians. After the killing, security officials searched his house for Bibles and banned Christian books in Persian. In the previous week, according to some sources, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security arrested and tortured ten Christians in several cities.

On May 2, 2006, a Muslim convert to Christianity, Ali Kaboli, was taken into custody in Gorgan, after several years of police surveillance and threatened prosecution if he did not leave the country. He was interrogated and was held incommunicado. So far no charges have been filed against him."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Increase in abuse and harassment ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17782]

"Christians faced an increase in abuse and harassment. Reportedly, the president allegedly called for an end to the development of Christianity in the country."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

8 evangelical Christians killed over the past 15 years ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18463]

"According to a report during the year, over the past 15 years there have been reports of at least 8 evangelical Christians killed in Iran, and between 15 and 23 reportedly missing or 'disappeared.'"

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Religious freedom ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 8851]

"[...]The constitution recognizes Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians as religious minorities and generally allows them to worship without interference so long as they do not proselytize. However, they are barred from election to representative bodies (though a set number of parliamentary seats are reserved for them), cannot hold senior government or military positions, and face restrictions in employment, education, and property ownership.[...]
Iranian security forces raided two major evangelical Christian religious gatherings in May and September 2004, arresting scores of people, most of whom had been released by year’s end.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

25.05.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Gozinesh - Discriminatory law and practices ("Annual Report 2005") [#32306],  [ID 8853]

"[...]
The gozinesh provided the legal basis for discriminatory laws and practice. Religious and ethnic groups which were not officially recognized – such as the Bahai’s, Ahl-e Haq, Mandaeans (Sabaeans) and Evangelical Christians – were automatically subject to gozinesh provisions and faced discrimination in a range of areas, including access to education.
[...]"

Document(s): Open document
Open document

15.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Arrest of protestant church leaders ("Report of Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief - Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received (E/CN.4/2005/61/Add.1)") [#30271],  [ID 8852]

"[...]138. On 14 June 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication in relation to information according to which on 23 May 2004, the Iranian police arrested Khosroo Yusefi, a Protestant pastor, along with his wife Nasrin and two teenage children, an 18-year-old son and a daughter aged 15. The arrests allegedly took place in Chalous, a town on the Caspian Sea coast in northern Iran. The family reportedly remained imprisoned without known charges. Reportedly, dozens of members from two of Pastor Yusefi’s church groups were jailed in the first week of May and later released. However, the arrest of 23 May allegedly marked the first time that the entire family of a Christian leader had been taken into custody.
139. By letter dated 21 December 2004, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran responded that, according to the information received from the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, no record had been found of Mr. Khosroo Yusefi and his family.
[...]
141. On 3 November 2004, the Special Rapporteur transmitted a communication to the Government regarding Hamid Pourmand, a lay pastor in the Assemblies of God Church, and 85 other Evangelical Church leaders who were arrested during a meeting in the city of Karaj on 9 September 2004. It was reported that 76 of those arrested were released the same day and 10 pastors were kept for interrogation about other Christian leaders for three more days. The nine colleagues of Hamid Pourmand who were released were warned that they should expect to be summoned again in a few weeks for more questioning. When Hamid Pourmand’s family returned to their residence after a stay in Tehran, they discovered that their home had been broken into and ransacked, with all of the family’s papers, documents and photographs removed. Iranian authorities had refused to give any reason for the arrest and prolonged detention of Hamid Pourmand.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Treatment of Christians ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8854]

"[...]Proselytizing of Muslims by non-Muslims is illegal and the Government was harsh in its response, in particular against Baha'is and evangelical Christians. The Government did not ensure the right of citizens to change or recant their religion. Apostasy, specifically conversion from Islam, is punishable by death. [...]

In 2001, the UNSR estimated the Christian community at approximately 300,000. Of these, the majority were ethnic Armenians and Assyro-Chaldeans. Protestant denominations and evangelical churches also were active, but they reported restrictions on their activities. The authorities became particularly vigilant in recent years in curbing proselytizing activities by evangelical Christians. In May and June, several Christians in the northern part of the country reportedly were arrested, and in September, officials raided the Protestant Assemblies of God Church, imprisoning its minister, Hamid Pourmand. Since his arrest, Pourmand has been imprisoned at an undisclosed location, and, under local law, he can be executed for "apostasy against Islam."

In May, there were reports of the arrest of evangelical Christians in the northern part of the country, including a Christian pastor and his family in Mazandaran Province. The pastor's family and two other church leaders who had been arrested earlier were reportedly released on May 30. Although the pastor reportedly was a convert from the Baha'i Faith, a number of those arrested in raids on house churches were converts from Islam. The pastor and another Christian leader reportedly were released from custody in early July. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Christian community at approximately 300,000 estimated; mistreatment, closing of evangelical churches and arrests of converts ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11869],  [ID 8855]

"The UNSR estimated the Christian community at approximately 300,000. Of these the majority were ethnic Armenians and Assyro-Chaldeans. Protestant denominations and evangelical churches also were active, although nonethnically based groups report restrictions on their activities. The UNSR reported that Christians were emigrating at an estimated rate of 15,000 to 20,000 per year.

The authorities became particularly vigilant in recent years in curbing proselytizing activities by evangelical Christians, whose services were conducted in Persian. Government officials closed evangelical churches and arrested converts. Members of evangelical congregations were required to carry membership cards, photocopies of which must be provided to the authorities. Worshipers were subject to identity checks by authorities posted outside congregation centers. Meetings for evangelical services were restricted by the authorities to Sundays, and church officials were ordered to inform the Ministry of Information and Islamic Guidance before admitting new members to their congregations.

Mistreatment of evangelical Christians continued in recent years. Christian groups have reported instances of government harassment of churchgoers in Tehran, in particular of worshipers at the Assembly of God congregation in the capital. Cited instances of harassment included conspicuous monitoring outside Christian premises by Revolutionary Guards to discourage Muslims or converts from entering church premises and demands for presentation of identity papers of worshipers inside.
Estimates of the size of the Iranian Jewish community varied from 25,000 to 30,000; a substantial reduction from the estimated 75,000 to 80,000 Iranian Jews prior to the 1979 revolution."

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Home Office

UK Home Office: Christians are legally permitted to practice their religion and instruct their children, but may not proselytise Muslims ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 8857]

"5.49. According to the Iranian government, in 1997 there were between 117,000 and 200,000 Christians in Iran, although the UN Special Representative (UNSR) used the figure of 300,000 in a 2001 report , made up of Assyro-Chaldeans and Armenians, with the greater number being Armenian. it is difficult however, to obtain a reliable estimate as there is the added complication of mixing ethnicity with religious affiliation. The UNSR also reported that Christians were emigrating at an estimated rate of 15,000 to 20,000 per year. They are concentrated mainly in urban areas, and are legally permitted to practice their religion and instruct their children, but may not proselytise Muslims. The authorities have become particularly vigilant in recent years in curbing what is perceived as increasing proselytising activities by evangelical Christians, whose services are conducted in Persian. Conversion of a Muslim to a non-Muslim religion can be considered apostasy.

5.50. Government officials have reacted to this perceived activity by closing evangelical churches and arresting converts. Members of evangelical congregations are required to carry membership cards, photocopies of which must be provided to the authorities. Worshippers are subject to identity checks by authorities posted outside congregation centres. Meetings for evangelical services have been restricted by the authorities to Sundays, and church officials have been ordered to inform the Ministry of Information and Islamic Guidance before admitting new members to their congregations

5.51. There were reports of eight deaths of evangelical Christians at the hands of the authorities in the past 10 years. Late in 1999, an investigative reporter alleged that officials within the Intelligence Ministry were responsible for the murders of three prominent evangelical ministers in 1994, a crime for which three female members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq organisation had been convicted.

5.52. Mistreatment of evangelical Christians continued during the period covered by this report. Christian groups have reported instances of government harassment of churchgoers in Tehran, in particular against worshipers at the Assembly of God congregation in the capital. Instances of harassment cited included conspicuous monitoring outside Christian premises by Revolutionary Guards to discourage Muslims or converts from entering church premises and demands for presentation of identity papers.

5.53. The Constitution provides for the representation of Assyrian and Chaldean Christians in reserved seats in the Majlis. Armenians have lived in Iran for centuries, mainly in Tehran. The government appears to be tolerant of groups such as Armenian Christians because they conduct their services in Armenian and thus do not proselytise. Christian associations without an ethnic focus sometimes face difficulties in obtaining legal recognition of their existence. Christians are allowed to maintain their own schools and participate in a broad range of cultural activities within their own community."

Document(s): Open document

09.2002 - Source:

University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Background Information ("00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Background Information") [ID 8858]

"The majority of Iran's Christian population belongs to the Armenian Orthodox Church (CULDIFX1 = 2; CULDIFX4 = 1), with a sizable number of Assyrian Christians as well as small numbers of Roman Catholics, Anglican and Protestant Christians converted by missionaries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Iranian Christians tend to be urban (GROUPCON = 1), with 50% living in Tehran, and relatively well-off economically when it comes to income and property ownership (ECDIFX1/2 = 0).
There were an estimated 300,000 Armenians living in Iran in 1979 but many have since emigrated due to government policies following the revolution. Current estimates of Iranian Armenians range from 200,000 to 250,000. The Armenians traditionally lived in northwestern Iran adjacent to the historic Armenian homeland in what is now eastern Turkey but were forcibly resettled in the 17th century. By the 1970s the Armenians were predominantly urban with about half living in Tehran and the rest living in Esfahan, Tabriz and other cities. Most Armenians are Gregorian Christians and belong to the Armenian Orthodox Church but there are some who, due to the work of missionaries, are Roman Catholic and Protestant. Armenians tend to be well educated and maintain their own schools and are currently allowed to maintain an Armenian language newspaper and operate several cultural associations.
Although Iran's 1979 Constitution recognizes Armenians and Assyrians as official religious minorities, this recognition in effect assigns them second-class citizenship. Armenian Christians are allowed to follow their own religion's laws in matters of marriage and inheritance (CULPO696-00 = 0), but are somewhat restricted in the educational instruction of Armenian and must pass Islamic theology tests in order to attain public sector positions (CULPO2/396-00 = 2). Smaller Christian minorities have not received official recognition and have, at times, been persecuted. Churches and other Christian organizations are generally denied the permits necessary to operate (CULPO796-00 = 3). Cited instances of harassment include conspicuous monitoring outside Christian premises by Revolutionary Guards to discourage Muslims or converts from entering church premises, and demands for presentation of identity papers of worshipers inside (REP1500 = 3; REP1700 = 3). Also, Iranian judicial officials oppose proselytizing by faiths other than Shi'i Islam, and have called for the execution of people from Muslim families who convert to Christianity.
Christians, in general, are allowed to participate in Iran's economic and social life and have achieved a high standard of living. However, Christians, including those recognized by the state as official religious minorities, have encountered officially sanctioned discrimination in the areas of employment, education, public accommodations, the legal system and property ownership. Many Christian schools were taken over by the government after the 1979 revolution. All Iranian students must be instructed in Islam regardless of their religion. All religion classes must be taught in Persian and all Armenian literature classes must receive government approval. The Ministry of Education requires that all school principals, including those of Armenian parochial schools, must be Muslims. Tests in Islamic theology are required for all university applications, university positions and public sector jobs. The Iranian courts give lower awards and larger penalties to Christians in lawsuits over injuries or death. It is often difficult for a Christian to obtain a passport. The publication of Christian texts, while legal, rarely receives the necessary government approval. Christians in Iran have also encountered various forms of harassment by the Iranian government including their torture, long term imprisonment (with and without trial), unfair trials (often accusing them of spying or other trumped up charges), and execution. Iranian Christian refugees are often harassed by agents of the Iranian government
Despite this often heavy-handed governmental presence, there are no reported instances of recent Christian protest or rebellion in Iran (PROT99/00 = 0; REB99/00 = 0). While greater religious freedoms remain the most salient grievance of Iranian Christians (CULGR1XX = 3), their lack of organizational capacity (and multiple faiths) make political mobilization difficult for this minority group (OPMOBX; MILMOBX = 0)."

Document(s): 00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Background Information

09.2002 - Source:

University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment ("00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment") [ID 8859]

"By and large, the condition of Christians in Iran has worsened during the last decade. Despite Khatemi’s assurances of greater minority rights in Iran, levels of discrimination and harassment against Evangelical Christians have increased dramatically, while the situation of Armenian Christians appears unchanged. Iran's future attitude toward Christian nations of the West (as well as Christian minorities in other Muslim states, such as Copts in Egypt) will likely signify the extent to which it will internally tolerate its own Christian minority. As long as Islamic fundamentalism retains a significant voice within Iranian politics, Christians will remain at risk."

Document(s): 00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment

16.01.2002 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Ethnic Christians (Armenians, Assyrians) and non-ethnic Christians (for the most part ethnic Persians) ("Report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, prepared by the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Maurice Danby Copithorne, pursuant to Commission resolution 2001/17 (E/CN.4/2002/42)") [#5732],  [ID 8861]

"79. It is difficult to obtain a reliable estimate of the number of Christians in Iran. A major
complication is the mixing of ethnicity with religious affiliation. Estimates of the non-ethnic
Christians, that is, leaving aside the Armenians and Assyrians, vary from several thousand to as high as 15,000. The Armenians and Assyrians are recognized as official religious minorities,
that is, as Christians. It is a status that assigns them, along with the Jews and the Zoroastrians,
second-class citizenship.
80. However, their lot is considerably better than that of the unrecognized, that is, the
non-ethnic Christians. These are those groups of Christians who are for the most part ethnic
Persians. Evangelical Christians such as members of the Assemblies of God have been harshly
persecuted over the years, apparently on the grounds that they have been or might be
proselytizing. Some of them are said to have been convicted of apostasy. Some have been
sentenced to death and a few have been executed. The Special Representative has been informed
that only three small Persian-speaking churches may remain in operation and that they have had
to agree not to evangelize Muslims. The printing of Christian literature is prohibited and
Christian bookstores are banned. A number of Christian activists have reportedly fled the
country.
81. In the Special Representative’s opinion, the situation of the Christians, particularly the
non-ethnic Christians, does not seem to have improved since the 1996 report of the Special
Rapporteur on religious intolerance on his visit to Iran (E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.2). The Special
Representative again calls on the Government to implement the recommendations of the Special
Rapporteur on religious intolerance."

Document(s): sr-irn-0102.pdf
Open document

15.12.2001 - Source: Human Rights Documentation Exchange Centre/asylumlaw.org

Human Rights Documentation Exchange Centre/asylumlaw.org: ("Persecution of Christians [HRDE Packet IRN 3] (Iran)") [#7804],  [ID 8862]

Document(s): Open document

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

00.11.2001 – ACCORD: Proselytizing ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8863]

"Possibly with the exception of the Church of the ”Assemblies of God”, all other churches are extremely cautious with respect to proselytizing. In 1994 three Evangelical Christian leaders were killed. They were accused of having sought converts amongst Muslims. Mehdi Dibaj, Assemblies of God Leader in Iran, was sentenced to death for apostasy after nine years of imprisonment. The other two were the Head of the Evangelical Council of Pastors in Iran, Bishop Kaik Hovsepian Mehr, who had campaigned relentlessly for the release of Dibaj, and a prominent Presbyterian minister, Reverend Tatavous Mikaelian, who succeeded Bishop Hovsepian as Head of the Evangelical Council.

One might say, if those people had kept a low profile they would have been safe. However, given that the very nature of their religion is universal and evangelical, proselytizing is one fundamental aspect of practising their faith. More complex cases might involve individuals who contend to have proselytized at home, which is very difficult to prove. At a certain point then one will just have to make a decision to believe or not believe the person if it is not possible to retrieve any additional conclusive
information. Yet if, e.g. a Jehovah’s Witness wanted to proselytize amongst Armenians and Assyrians, this would most likely not have any negative repercussions for the person who is proselytizing."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

01.10.2000 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Danish Immigration Service: Christians are regarded as second-class citizens and do not have the same opportunities for education and employment as other Iranians ("Report on fact-finding mission to Iran; 9 - 17 September 2000") [#9593],  [ID 8856]

"By way of introduction, a Western embassy contacted by the delegation said that the number of
persons belonging to the religious minority groups was steadily decreasing. According to the
source, there were 350 000 Christians in Iran at the beginning of the revolution, while at present
there were only 150 000. This decline was due to the large-scale emigration of Christians –
emigration which continued to take place to this day. Persons belonging to the Armenian church
constituted the largest group of Christians in Iran, with 100 000 members.
The source expressed concern about the large-scale emigration of Christians from Iran. It resulted
inter alia from increasing uncertainty about the continued existence of the Christian community in
Iran.
Persons belonging to the religious minorities who currently wish to emigrate from Iran are primarily
Armenian Christians, Iranian Jews and persons belonging to the Iranian Baha'i community. Many
such persons wish to travel to the USA or Canada, where there are already large Armenian and
Jewish communities. Some such emigration appears to take place in an organised form. An
agreement has been concluded between the Austrian authorities, ICRC, Caritas and the Iranian
Baha'i community permitting individuals to enter Austria, where they can stay for a period of 3 to
6 months. The persons concerned pay a sum of USD 3 000 in advance to cover the costs associated
with their period of residence in Austria. Their applications to enter the USA or Canada are
processed while they wait in Austria. If an application to enter either of those countries is refused,
the person concerned must leave Austria before his visa expires.
As regards the situation for religious minorities in Iran, the source stated that it may be described as
better than before despite the fact that the Iranian authorities still discriminate against those
minorities. In that connection, the source stressed the importance of distinguishing between the
persecution which took place just after the revolution and the discrimination which takes place
today.
Under the Iranian constitution, there is freedom of religion in Iran for Muslims, Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians. Baha'ists do not enjoy such freedom. Both Christians and Jews have their own
seats in the Iranian parliament, the Majlis. According to the source, however, Christians are
regarded as second-class citizens and do not have the same opportunities for education and
employment as other Iranians. With regard to employment in public enterprises, for example,
preference is given to Iranian Muslims. Job opportunities for the religious minority groups lie
within the private sector.
There are Christian schools in Iran at present, run by the Christian churches. It used to be
mandatory for the principals of such schools to be Muslims. This situation has now changed in that,
since the school year which began in the autumn of 2000, Christian schools have been able to
appoint principals from the Christian churches which run the schools.
With regard to Armenian Christians, the source stated that such persons are not in conflict with the
Iranian authorities and thus have nothing to fear. It may be added that there are Armenian
businesses in Tehran displaying signs in both Farsi and Armenian.
The source was of the opinion that if a criminal case is brought against a Christian in Iran, the
church leaders will have knowledge of that case. This is because family members of the person
against whom such a case is brought will contact those leaders with information about the case."

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01.10.2000 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Danish Immigration Service: Large scale emigration of Christians; regarded as second-class citizens ("Report on fact-finding mission to Iran; 9 - 17 September 2000") [#9593],  [ID 8860]

"By way of introduction, a Western embassy contacted by the delegation said that the number of persons belonging to the religious minority groups was steadily decreasing. According to the source, there were 350 000 Christians in Iran at the beginning of the revolution, while at present there were only 150 000. This decline was due to the large-scale emigration of Christians – emigration which continued to take place to this day. Persons belonging to the Armenian church
constituted the largest group of Christians in Iran, with 100 000 members. [...]
Both Christians and Jews have their own seats in the Iranian parliament, the Majlis. According to the source, however, Christians are regarded as second-class citizens and do not have the same opportunities for education and employment as other Iranians. With regard to employment in public enterprises, for example, preference is given to Iranian Muslims. Job opportunities for the religious minority groups lie within the private sector. There are Christian schools in Iran at present, run by the Christian churches. It used to be mandatory for the principals of such schools to be Muslims. This situation has now changed in that, since the school year which began in the autumn of 2000, Christian schools have been able to
appoint principals from the Christian churches which run the schools."

Document(s): Open document