Jan 5, 2023

Authoritarian states promote religious tolerance without necessarily ensuring freedom of religion or belief. Last month, USCIRF released a report distinguishing between these two concepts and explains the origins of religious tolerance promotion as a tool of statecraft. The report presents case studies of countries engaged in religious tolerance promotion, such as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Russia, and Uzbekistan. 

Dr. David Warren, the author of the report and lecturer in the Department of Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, join us to today to discuss the important findings and ways the U.S. government can utilize discussions of religious tolerance to set a groundwork for broader rights protections.

Read the full report on “Tolerance, Religious Freedom, and Authoritarianism”

Additional Name(s): Anna Khademi

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: January/3/2023

Date of Release: January/28/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Practicing Religion as a Convert Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Anahita Khademi

Extra Bio Info:

Anahita Khademi was detained for practicing her religion as a convert.

On January 3, 2023, authorities in Bandar Anzali reportedly arrested Khademi after summoning her. She was transferred to Lakan Prison. On December 26, 2022, authorities reportedly arrested her husband Abdolreza Ali Haghnejad and other Christian converts during a Christmas service at a house church. Khademi was reportedly charged with “propaganda against the system” and “disturbing public opinion.”

On January 28, 2023, Khademi was released on bail.

Related Cases: Abdolreza Ali Haghnejad

Sources:

Additional Name(s): نکیسا حاجی پور

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: January/1/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Nakisa Hajipour

Extra Bio Info:

Nakisa Hajipour is detained for her religious belief and activity.

On January 1, 2023, authorities at Hasheminejad Airport in Mashhad reportedly arrested Hajipour in relation to her being Baha'i.

Hajipour was previously arrested and imprisoned for her religious belief.

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