Contents tagged with human rights
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 3:55 PM Jun. 12, 2013
A Day of Prayer & Peaceful Association For Pastor Saeed at Iranian Embassies Worldwide
As efforts continue to raise Pastor Saeed Abedini’s case at the United Nations and with world leaders to increase pressure on Iran to release the persecuted pastor, there is a new groundswell of grassroots support around the world. The people, the citizens of the world, are raising up, decrying Iran’s human rights abuses, and demanding that Iran immediately release the 33-year-old U.S. citizen. Tomorrow, June 13, 2013, an effort is being organized to peacefully demonstrate and asse... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 10:26 AM Mar. 15, 2013
Taking Pastor Saeed’s Case to Congress
Earlier today, I, along with ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow and Pastor Saeed’s wife Naghmeh, presented testimony before a standing-room only crowd at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress about American Pastor Saeed Abedini and the worsening plight of Christians in Iran. Today’s testimony before this bipartisan commission of Congress presented the best opportunity yet to elevate Pastor Saeed’s case within our own government. I told the Commission that we... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by ACLJ.org | 8:30 AM Mar. 15, 2013
Watch Jay & Jordan Sekulow and Pastor Saeed’s Wife Naghmeh Testify Before Congress Live
Watch the congressional hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission focusing on Pastor Saeed Abedini and the worsening plight of Christians in Iran. The Commission of the U.S. Congress will hear testimony from ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow, and Pastor Saeed’s wife Naghmeh among other respected human rights experts. Watch their testimony before Congress here. (The hearing audio begins at 9:05 and video at 9:31.) As you watch, please join a ... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Matthew Clark | 11:21 AM Mar. 5, 2013
Iran’s Continuous Blatant Violation of Pastor Saeed’s Fundamental Human Rights
Iran has repeatedly and continually abused the most basic human rights of Pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen. For more than 160 days, Pastor Saeed has now been incarcerated in one of Iran’s most abusive and deadly prisons merely because of his religious beliefs – a blatant violation of numerous international treaties to which Iran has willingly bound itself and in violation of Iran’s own constitution. However, this is not the only violation of his human rights by any means.... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by David French | 1:56 PM Jan. 29, 2013
Senator Kerry – Nominee for Secretary of State – Issues Clear and Unequivocal Call for Pastor Saeed’s Release
Moments ago we received vital information from Senator Marco Rubio's office. Senator Rubio had issued a written question to Senator John Kerry – as nominee to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State – asking Senator Kerry about Pastor Saeed. The text of the question and answer follow: Question: On January 15th, I joined 11 of my Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Sec. Clinton expressing our grave concern over the detainment of a U.S. citizen, Saeed Abedini, in Iran. Mr... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Skip Ash | 1:07 PM Jan. 28, 2013
The Legal Argument: Why Iran is Obligated to Free Pastor Saeed
Editor’s note: In the course of fighting for Pastor Saeed’s freedom, a number of individuals have responded with words like, “He was in Iran, what could he expect?” While it is true that Iran is a radical Islamic regime, it is also true that the nation has voluntarily and willingly signed a number of international agreements that prohibit its actions here and is even violating its own constitution. In short, Iran is not only violating Pastor Saeed’s human rights, ... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by David French | 11:12 AM Oct. 5, 2012
Iran Freed a Christian Pastor, Now Imprisons His Muslim Lawyer
Several weeks ago, many of us rejoiced as Iran — against all odds — released Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani after first condemning him to death for apostasy. Pastor Nadarkhani faced a nightmare that Western Christians (thankfully) have not faced for centuries — a demand to recant his faith or face execution. Pastor Nadarkhani again and again refused to renounce Christ, and just when many of us thought his death was imminent, Iran freed him from prison. But Iran is still Iran, and no... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Matthew Clark | 11:26 AM Oct. 3, 2012
UN Demands Iran Release Prominent Human Rights Attorney Who Defended Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani
The United Nations (UN) has released a statement condemning the imprisonment of the internationally renowned human rights attorney who defended Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. The spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated, The UN Human Rights Office is seriously concerned by the arrest and imprisonment of several prominent human rights defenders, journalists and political activists in the Islamic Republic of Iran in the past two weeks. This appears to reflect a further severe... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jordan Sekulow | 3:40 PM May. 14, 2012
Iran Demands Youcef’s Lawyer “Confess on TV”
Iran continues to pressure Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s attorney, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, to confess to crimes he did not commit. A new report indicates that Dadkhah, who has been disbarred and sentenced to 9 years in prison for representing people like pastor Youcef, has been extensively interrogated and pressured to “confess on TV or go to prison.” Dadkhah reportedly told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran: “Tomorrow is my last day to either ma... Continue Reading
Filed in: Iran | by Jay Sekulow | 3:15 PM May. 7, 2012
Christian Pastor Youcef: Circumstances More Dire in Iran Than Ever
938 days. That's how long Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been imprisoned in Iran. His crime? He embraced Christianity and started a church. Now, with Pastor Youcef facing the death penalty, his situation is even more precarious. As we've reported, Pastor Youcef's attorney has now been targeted by the Iranian regime. He's been convicted and told he will begin serving a 9 year prison sentence soon. His crime? His work on human rights and his desire to help clients like Pastor Youcef. On ... Continue Reading