Engaging Iran at the United Nations on Behalf of Pastor Saeed

On Monday, June 3, 2013, the ACLJ will again appear before the Human Rights Council of the United Nations to raise Pastor Saeed Abedini’s case, but this time around, countries from around the world will be looking into the eyes of Pastor Saeed’s wife, Naghmeh.  

Over the last few days Naghmeh and ACLJ attorneys have met with various countries and non-governmental organizations at the United Nations raising awareness of Pastor Saeed’s plight.  In these meetings, Naghmeh has been able to plead the case of her husband with one simple request:  will you be a voice for Pastor Saeed? The responses have been encouraging as the world begins to respond to the pleas of a wife and mother desperately seeking to have her husband brought home. 

In preparation for these meetings and the presentation before the Human Rights Council, the ACLJ and its European affiliate (The European Centre for Law & Justice) filed a written submission before the Human Rights Council.  A copy of the submission can be found here.  For Monday’s presentation, individuals can watch the live stream of the 23rd Plenary Session of the Human Rights Council between the hours of 9:00a.m. and 5:00p.m. (GMT) at http://webtv.un.org.

Although we are encouraged by these recent developments, Iran’s continued disregard for its international human rights obligations reflects negatively on all of Islam, a reason for which other Muslim nations should encourage Iran to release Pastor Saeed, a 33-year-old U.S. citizen.  We continue to urge all nations to reach out to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and request that he immediately and unconditionally release Pastor Saeed.

We will continue to keep you up to date in our activities at the United Nations and our effort to free Pastor Saeed.

Update 5.30.2013: As our meetings continue, fighting to save Pastor Saeed, Naghmeh said: “I am encouraged by our meetings and efforts here at the United Nations. The international community plays an important role in holding Iran responsible for its human rights violations. I pray many new voices will be added to the efforts to bring my husband home.”