USCIRF Releases New Report on Iran’s Escalation of Religious Repression

USCIRF Releases New Report on Iran’s Escalation of Religious Repression

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new country update highlighting the government of Iran’s escalation of religious repression in 2021:

Iran Country Update – This country update provides information about religious freedom conditions in Iran. It documents recent religious freedom violations against Baha’is, Christians, Sunnis, Sufis, and Yarsanis. The report notes two recent amendments to Iran’s Penal Code, making it easier for the government to target religious minorities. It also discusses violations of religious freedom targeting women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) community. Finally, it highlights the cases of USCIRF religious prisoners of conscience Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee and Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.

In its 2021 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S State Department designate Iran as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its ongoing, systematic, and egregious religious freedom violations. The Iran chapter is also available in Farsi. The USCIRF Spotlight Podcast featured an episode on religious restrictions in Iran published in May 2021.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].