The United States is deeply concerned by reports that a provincial court has renewed the execution order for Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. Mr. Nadarkhani is facing a death sentence on charges of apostasy and has refused to recant his Christian faith. Such government persecution for simply following one’s faith is common in Iran, where followers of many religious traditions face harsh treatment and severe violations of their religious freedom. We have also witnessed a dramatic increase in the arrest of adherents to the Baha’i Faith recently, as well as an increase in repression of freedom of expression in all forms. We stand with religious and political leaders from around the world in condemning Youcef Nadarkhani’s conviction and call for his immediate release.
See also:
- White House Statement on the Case of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani
- Secretary Clinton on Iran’s Continuing Human Rights Violations
- Spokesperson Nuland on the Persecution of Religious Minorities in Iran
- Testimony by Assistant Secretary Posner and Deputy Assistant Secretary Dibble on Human Rights and Democratic Reform in Iran
- International Human Rights Day 2011 – Message from Secretary Clinton
- Undersecretary Sherman on Addressing Potential Threats from Iran: Administration Perspectives on Implementing New Economic Sanctions One Year Later
- Testimony by Assistant Secretary Posner and Assistant Secretary Feltman on the U.S. Human Rights Policy toward Iran and Syria
