As repression and death toll in demonstrations rises, several Christian groups condemn «systematic oppression»
ACN.- Protests continue in Iran following the violent death of young Mahsa Amini, of Kurdish origin, at the hands of the morality police for allegedly not wearing the Islamic veil correctly. The harsh crackdown has already left more than 90 demonstrators dead and hundreds injured. Several Christian organizations in Iran have issued a statement, reported by Asia News, condemning the «systematic oppression» and calling for «freedom and equal rights for all Iranians».
«Hamgaam Council of United Iranian Churches, Article18 and Pars Theological Centre, as part of the Iranian Christian community, declare our solidarity with the family of Mahsa Amini and support their demand for justice,» the statement reads, «And as citizens of our country we condemn in unison the systematic oppression of women and the widespread violation of human rights in Iran.»
Unprecedented bravery
These Christian movements praise «the unprecedented courage» that gave rise to the demonstrations and attack the obligation of the veil, which they define as a «clear violation of human rights» and therefore must be cancelled «like other discriminatory norms«. «We are all united – they continue – without distinction of ethnicity, religion, language or creed, in this struggle against the shared pain of injustice, oppression and religious dictatorship, as well as for our hope for life, freedom and equality».
In the last 43 years, since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, many Mahsa Amini have met their death «only because they thought differently» and for this reason «we pray for the families of the victims, so that they may find peace in God. And we remind – the note concludes – all our Christian compatriots that we must stand with the voiceless and the oppressed, defending their rights as the Bible and Jesus Christ himself teaches with his life».
Iran’s Christians: second-class citizens and hidden converts
Christians in Iran number an estimated 600,000, about 0.7% of the country’s population, according to the World Religious Freedom Report published by the Pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The baptized who belong to the registered traditional Churches, such as the Armenian Apostolic Church or the Chaldean Catholic Church, have freedom of worship and organize themselves around their temples, some of which date back to the first centuries of Christianity. But there is not full religious freedom in Iran since, among other things, there is no freedom to publicly manifest any faith other than Islam.
Despite the great limitations, there are many faithful converts from Muslim families, whose numbers are very difficult to know because they live their faith in a hidden way. These converts are the ones who suffer the worst consequences of the lack of religious freedom in the country. Conversion to a religion other than Islam is considered «apostasy» and is considered a major crime punishable by death. These Christian converts are more often associated with Protestant churches, which are not registered by the government. They usually meet in homes, in small groups.
Religious freedom in Iran
According to organizations such as Open Doors, religious freedom has worsened in recent years in Iran, due to a new penal code. The source of persecution against Christians and members of other religious minorities is Islamist oppression, the national theocratic system, clan oppression, corruption, organized crime and confessional protectionism. These hostilities, often violent, are often carried out by radical groups among government officials, religious or ethnic leaders, radical political parties and paramilitary groups.
While protests are taking place all over the country, Tehran is reinforcing its repressive system, arresting numerous activists and journalists, as well as public figures who have shown their support for the demonstrators. The government has called for an end to the protests and pointed out that they serve as a pretext for increased terrorist attacks by radical groups and Kurdish or Baluchi pro-independence groups. The Internet has been cut off in the country, to curb communication between protesters and to counter messages in favor of ending the mandatory wearing of the Islamic veil.