Contents tagged with State Department
Filed in: Iran | by Matthew Clark | 3:17 PM May. 16, 2013
Pastor Saeed’s Senator Urges The State Department to “Make Every Effort” to Secure His Freedom
Recently, Senator James Risch (ID) urged Under-Secretary of State Wendy Sherman to “make every effort you possibly can to secure” the freedom of American Pastor Saeed Abedini, his constituent. The exchange above occurred in a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier this week. The State Department again pledged its ongoing efforts to secure his freedom. Under-Secretary Sherman’s words are an important reminder of the impact we can all have in securing Pa... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 6:54 PM Mar. 22, 2013
Secretary of State Kerry Calls for Pastor Saeed’s Release
One day after the State Department’s first proactive call for American Pastor Saeed Abedini’s release at the United Nations, Secretary of State John Kerry has released his first public statement urging that Pastor Saeed – a U.S. citizen – be “immediately released.” We welcome this first sign of engagement from Secretary Kerry and are eager to work alongside the State Department in fighting for the freedom of this U.S. citizen whose only “crime” i... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 12:13 PM Mar. 22, 2013
State Department Makes First Proactive Statement Calling for Saeed’s Release at UN
The U.S. State Department has made its first proactive statement on behalf of imprisoned U.S. citizen Saeed Abedini – a long overdue step in the right direction for the State Department. Yesterday, Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe presented remarks before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland calling for Pastor Saeed’s release. She stated: We note with particular concern the worsening plight of religious minority communities in Iran, including Christians, Sun... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 8:37 PM Mar. 20, 2013
Members of Congress: State Department “Misled” Congress on Pastor Saeed Hearing – Calls on Secretary Kerry to Issue Public Statement Demanding His Release
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Members of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and other members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry today demanding that he make the case of American Pastor Saeed Abedini – a U.S. citizen - a priority for the State Department. The Commission also called on Secretary Kerry to swiftly issue a public statement calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Pastor Abedini Chairman Frank Wolf (R-VA) was joined by Representatives Trent... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 10:00 PM Mar. 18, 2013
Two Key Questions Regarding Pastor Saeed: Will Iran Keep its new Promise? Will Secretary Kerry Call for his Release?
Our sources in Iran have confirmed that Pastor Saeed’s family in Iran was able to visit with him today in Evin Prison for an extended two-hour visitation. It’s the first time Iranian authorities have granted his family an extended visit since his imprisonment last fall. This extended visitation was granted as part of Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebrations. Pastor Saeed reported that doctors have now finally examined him for internal bleeding he has sustained from repeated beati... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Matthew Clark | 5:25 PM Mar. 18, 2013
Members of Congress Condemn State Department’s “Deafening and Almost Cowardly Silence”
At Friday’s congressional hearing Members of Congress scolded the State Department for its unwillingness to appear and testify on behalf of imprisoned U.S. citizen, Pastor Saeed Abedini. Each of the members of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission expressed concern about the State Department’s lack of involvement. Chairman Frank Wolf (R-VA) derided the State Department’s utter lack of engagement and refusal to appear before the Commission. Congressman Trent Frank... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jay Sekulow | 2:00 PM Mar. 18, 2013
Will the State Department finally speak out for Pastor Saeed Abedini?
Last Friday’s standing-room only hearing before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission was among the most dramatic I’ve witnessed. There was outrage – outrage not just from me as I declared the State Department “AWOL” in our quest to free an American Pastor, Saeed Abedini -- a U.S. citizen -- captured by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and now held hostage in Iran’s most brutal prison – but also from the members of the Human Rights Commission. In his ... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 10:39 AM Mar. 18, 2013
Secretary Kerry: Will You Demand Pastor Saeed's Release?
There's one thing that became very clear following Friday's hearing before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the House: The State Department continues to do very little to come to the aid of a U.S. citizen - held hostage in an Iranian prison - beaten and tortured because of his Christian faith. The State Department sent no one to the hearing. No one to stand-up for Pastor Saeed Abedini - an American - a U.S. citizen. No one to assure Pastor Saeed's wife, Naghmeh, that every effort is be... Continue Reading
