Iran
In the last year there has been an alarming rise in detentions of members of the evangelical house churches in Iran. Most were interrogated for lengthy periods, suffering verbal and sometimes physical abuse. Many were released after questioning, but some have spent weeks or even months in prison, suffering repeated interrogations, sleep deprivation, solitary confinement and pressure to inform on others and abandon their faith before being released on extremely high bail prior to facing trial. A few remain imprisoned. One has been imprisoned for over nine months, with no official charges brought against him.
Another, Pastor Nadarkhani, was arrested in October 2009 while attempting to register his church. He was tried and found guilty of apostasy (abandoning Islam) in September 2010 and sentenced to death. He is now faces possible execution, and awaits a final decision by Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Iran executes more people per year than any other country except China, and many members of the country’s ethnic and religious minorities are currently on death row. Executions are often carried out without prior notification to lawyers, families, or even the prisoners themselves.
Latest news
Iran: pastor arrested as Farsi language church considers closure 21/05/2013
Iran: Christians returned to jail after High Court upholds sentence for conversion 10/05/2013
Iran: Update: Farshid Fathi, Behnam Irani and Saeed Abedini – imprisoned for their faith 06/05/2013
Iran: Pastor Abedini moved to solitary confinement 01/05/2013
Thank you for fighting for Farshid – please keep going! 26/03/2013
One week to free Farshid 14/03/2013
Iran: Five Christians receive exorbitant bail demands 12/03/2013
Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani still alive 08/03/2013
A Prayer Breakfast, a president, and a push for our new campaign… 07/03/2013
Iran: Pastor Irani still in need of medical assistance 27/02/2013
Iran: Iranian-American pastor sentenced to eight years in prison 28/01/2013
Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani released, imprisoned lawyer Mohammed Ali Dadkhah’s health deteriorates 07/01/2013
Iran: More Christians jailed in annual campaign of repression 31/12/2012
Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani jailed again 25/12/2012
I’m amazed by the numbers. 30/11/2012
more...
Response magazine
"Thanks to you, I have the enormous joy to be with my wife and children again" 01/11/2012
Pastor Nadarkhani receives worldwide support 01/05/2012
CSW’s advocacy and campaigning triggers tidal wave of global action 01/11/2011
Iranian Christians urgently need your prayer 01/05/2011
"I know that I am not alone" 01/12/2009
Iran 01/10/2006
Iranian martyr willing to give his life 01/02/2006
Please encourage Pastor Hamid 25/11/2005
Iranian Christian cleared of apostasy charges 09/08/2005
Iranian christian faces death penalty for apostasy 21/06/2005
Prayer diary
The right to choose your faith 07/07/2013
Pray for Iran 10/02/2013
Faith Focus: Pray for the persecutors 06/01/2013
Pray for Iran 18/11/2012
Iran 10/06/2012
Faith Focus – Iranian pastors 04/03/2012
IRAN 08/01/2012
IRAN 04/12/2011
IRAN 22/05/2011
IRAN 15/05/2011
“I know I am not alone” 20/12/2009
Calling all prayer warriors 25/10/2009
Press releases
Iran: pastor arrested as Farsi language church considers closure 21/05/2013
Iran: Christians returned to jail after High Court upholds sentence for conversion 10/05/2013
Iran: Pastor Abedini moved to solitary confinement 01/05/2013
Iran: Five Christians receive exorbitant bail demands 12/03/2013
Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani still alive 08/03/2013
Iran: five Church of Iran members to face trial on political charges 07/03/2013
Iran: Pastor Irani still in need of medical assistance 27/02/2013
Iran: Iranian-American pastor sentenced to eight years in prison 28/01/2013
Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani released, imprisoned lawyer Mohammed Ali Dadkhah’s health deteriorates 07/01/2013
Iran: More Christians jailed in annual campaign of repression 31/12/2012
Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani jailed again 25/12/2012
Pastor Nadarkhani thanks supporters at CSW National Conference 26/11/2012
Iran: bail for Iranian Christian detained in Shiraz house church raid 02/11/2012
Iran: two more house church members arrested in Shiraz 18/10/2012
Iran: seven Christians detained following raid on prayer meeting 12/10/2012
more...
Reports
Iran: Summary of Concerns and Recommendations 01/06/2012
IRAN: The death penalty 01/09/2011
IRAN: Summary of Concerns and Recommendations 01/09/2011
IRAN - Mass arrests of evangelical Christians 31/01/2011
Iran - religious freedom profile 01/09/2009
Iran - Religious freedom profile 01/07/2008
Religious freedom profile: Iran 01/11/2006
