UN human rights inspectors announced last week over 300 Christians have been arrested in Iran.
Based on a report wired by Reuters, in a joint statement issued by the inspectors in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday, September 20th, while welcoming the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from prison, they expressed concerns on the conditions of other Christian prisoners in Iran.
Independent inspectors in their joint statement called on Iranian officials to calm conditions for churches and permit their activities.
‘From 2010, over 300 Christians have been arbitrarily arrested and imprisoned’, said Ahmad Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran.
Shaheed reiterated these apprehensions took place while Iran’s constitution recognizes Christianity and the freedom of its followers, adding Iran has signed international commitments in this regard.
The UN rapporteur on Iran says 41 of the arrested individuals were imprisoned for at least one month to one year, and many of them remain behind bars.
Churches in Iran are under pressure and must report the membership of their followers, Ahmad Shaheed adds.