CHRISTIANS in Iran continue to face arrests, interrogation, and the denial of their rights to education. Converts from Islam are most at risk, and the United Nations should investigate religious persecution in the country, says a report from the human-rights charities CSW, Article 18, Middle East Concern, and Open Doors.
There are believed to be between 500,000 and 800,000 Christians, mostly converts and members of house churches. These churches are watched and often raided by the Revolutionary Guard. Christians are arrested and Bibles are confiscated. Worshipping Christians have been sentenced to up to five years in prison on charges of “Acting against national security”, the report says.
The Iranian constitution permits Assyrian and Armenian Christians as a minority to “exercise their religious ceremonies within the limits of the law”, but access to church services is restricted. Many churches have been closed, and their property has been confiscated. Christian graves have been desecrated. Children of converts have also been told that they cannot continue their education unless they attend Islamic classes, the charities report.
Source » churchtimes