International Christian Faith Persecution

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:47): Not a week goes by without a new case of Christian persecution coming to light somewhere around the world. A recent alarming case of Christian persecution was brought to my attention by an organisation known as Middle East Concern, which is an organisation I have previously spoken about and commended in this chamber. Recently, as reported by Middle East Concern, Iranian Christian converts Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammad Reza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb Fadaie were detained and convicted for promoting Christianity and propagating house churches in their country.

The group was sentenced to an amazing 10-year imprisonment by the Iranian judiciary—10 years of gaol for simply promoting their new religion. Yasser, Saheb and Mohammad were arrested in May last year, alongside their pastor Yousef, while celebrating communion. They were charged with the consumption of alcohol for drinking the communion wine, and in September last year were sentenced to an astonishing 80 lashes. Their appeal against the sentence of 80 lashes remains pending at this date. It is understood that Yousef and Mohammad were also sentenced to two years' exile. Yousef is exiled to the city of Nik Shahr in Iran, which is 1,000 kilometres away from his family in Rasht, and Mohammad is exiled to the city of Borazjan, 2,000 kilometres away from his family.

As an Iranian Christian pastor and convert, Yousef is no stranger to religious persecution. Yousef was arrested in October 2009 on charges of apostasy. In September 2010, he was sentenced to death for renouncing his faith in Islam and converting to Christianity. I repeat, in September 2010 he was sentenced to death for renouncing his faith in Islam and converting to Christianity. Fortunately, in 2012, the conviction was overturned and Yousef was freed from prison, following widespread petitions and prayers from the Christian community around the world. Yousef's wife Fatima, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, was also freed from prison. Despite being acquitted in 2012, Yousef is now again being persecuted for his faith. An appeal on behalf of the four men is currently underway for their faith in Christ.

Iran's judicial authorities are notorious for their mistreatment of Christians. In prison, Christian prisoners are refused access to Christian literature. The Iranian judiciary is also known for issuing unjust and hefty sentences against Christian converts in particular. Since 20 June 2017, just six weeks ago, 11 Christians, including two church pastors, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms of 10 years or more—just in the last six weeks. The group are charged with offences relating to acting against national security, but in reality their only crime is converting to Christianity.

Despite constant oppression by Iranian security forces, including repeated arrests, intimidation and imprisonment of Christians, the legal rights of those persecuted for their faith have not been denied because of the support of the Christian community worldwide and organisations such as Middle East Concern. Freedom of religion is a critical feature of a well-functioning society, and in particular a democracy, and should not be taken for granted.

It is my hope that the appeal against the charges is successful and that Yousef, Saheb, Mohammad and Yasser are acquitted and that the barbaric sentence of 80 lashes is overturned. It is astonishing to me that in 2017 we are still talking about countries issuing sentences of lashing their citizens. We also call on the Iranian judiciary to desist from intimidating Christian converts and respect the right of all in Iran to freedom of religion. The international community must press the government of Iran to uphold its obligations to respect the rights of its citizens to freedom of religion or belief as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which it is actually a signatory—and it is in Iran's own constitution.

If members are wishing to have further details about this organisation that I have mentioned, Middle East Concern, and how they might add their voice to assisting in having some justice prevail in these countries where Christians are persecuted mercilessly, I would be happy to talk to them outside the chamber and give them the details of how they can be involved. It is as simple as putting their name to a letter whereby they write to the authorities in those particular countries, explaining their objection to a particular case, the details of which are provided by Middle East Concern.

Of course, there are many, many organisations doing that right around the world, some Christian and some not. There have been organisations like Amnesty International, not a Christian organisation, of course, but it has been very helpful in adding its weight to these sorts of issues where individuals around the world are persecuted merely because of their religious convictions. As I said, I am happy to talk to other members if they wish to know more details about this very important pursuit.