USCIRF Condemns Severe Medical Mistreatment of Imprisoned Gonabadi Sufi in Iran

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is concerned by reports that Iranian officials are denying needed medical care to Farzaneh Gharehassanlou, a Gonabadi Sufi jailed at Vakilbad prison in Mashhad. Gharehassanlou is on hunger strike in protest of Iranian authorities’ severe medical mistreatment of her and fellow prisoners, including those who peacefully protested mandatory hijab laws and other restrictions on freedom of religion or belief.

“Iranian authorities’ mistreatment Ms. Gharehassanlou and others imprisoned for peacefully asserting their freedom of religion or belief is abhorrent,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Eric Ueland. “The U.S. government should lead international efforts to legally document and analyze evidence of this systematic abuse, which has included withholding medicine, drugging prisoners, and institutionalizing women who protested against mandatory hijab laws in psychiatric hospitals.”

In November 2022, local authorities in Karaj arrested Ms. Gharehassanlou and her husband, Dr. Hamid Gharehassanlou—both Gonabadi Sufis—after they had participated in an event commemorating the murder of a young woman killed by security forces while protesting the state killing of Mahsa Zhina Amini. Authorities later falsely accused Ms. and Dr. Gharehassanlou of involvement in the killing of a member of a state-backed paramilitary force. During interrogations, both were reportedly tortured into confessing to religiously grounded charges including “Corruption on Earth.” Gharehassanlou, a healthcare worker herself, is reportedly experiencing complete sensory loss on the left side of her body as a result of medical mistreatment by Iranian prison authorities.

“Iran’s systematic medical mistreatment of religious prisoners of conscience is a moral outrage and its perpetrators must be held to account,” said USCIRF Commissioner Susie Gelman. “The Biden administration must fully implement the newly passed Mahsa Amini Human rights and Security Accountability Act or the MAHSA Act, imposing targeted sanctions on top regime officials and key entities responsible for gross human rights violations against incarcerated religious minorities in Iran.”

USCIRF has previously called for accountability for the Iranian government’s religious freedom violations, and reported in September 2023 on the regime’s use of medical mistreatment against prisoners detained on the basis of their religious beliefs. In April 2023 USCIRF also reported on the Iranian government’s systematic use of sexual and gender based violence against religious prisoners of conscience that in many cases resulted in hospitalization. In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the State Department again designate Iran a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations. The State Department has repeatedly designated Iran as a CPC, most recently in December 2023.

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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].

USCIRF Troubled by Violence Against Christians in Pakistan

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the recent vigilante violence against 74-year-old Lazar (Nazir) Masih in Pakistan. On May 25, 2024 a mob of hundreds of individuals assembled in the predominantly Christian community of Sargodha and violently attacked Masih after he was accused of desecrating a Qur’an. The mob’s attack resulted in severe injuries, including multiple fractures to Masih’s skull. He was taken to the hospital where he passed away a few days later.

“The brutal killing of Lazar Masih is an alarming reminder of the dangers of merely being suspected or accused of blasphemy in Pakistan,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “The country’s draconian blasphemy law signals to society that alleged blasphemers deserve severe punishment, which emboldens private individuals and groups to take matters into their own hands. Pakistani authorities must hold those responsible for his death accountable.”  

This latest wave of mob violence comes nearly one year after the Jaranwala attacks, where thousands of individuals attacked Christian homes and burned 24 churches following false accusations of blasphemy, prompting several Christian families to flee their homes. In addition to inciting violence towards religious minorities, blasphemy accusations often lead to lengthy prison sentences on death row or solitary confinement.

In January 2023, Pakistan’s National Assembly unanimously passed an amendment to the country’s blasphemy law, expanding punishable offenses and offering harsher punishments for blasphemy. In August 2023, the Senate passed the bill. The bill still requires the president’s signature before becoming law.

“There has been an increase in blasphemy cases in Pakistan and USCIRF is deeply concerned that the pending amendment to the country’s blasphemy law may exacerbate current trends,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Eric Ueland. “We urge the U.S. government to quickly and strongly raise these concerns with Pakistani officials, including taking substantial steps in support of religious freedom by repealing its blasphemy and anti-Ahmadiyya laws.”

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended the U.S. Department of State again designate Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. In December 2023, USCIRF also published an issue update on Pakistan’s blasphemy law.

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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 threats to 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 or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].