Pressure is working – Next Steps in the Fight for Pastor Saeed’s Freedom

American Pastor Saeed Abedini quickly approaches 200 days of imprisonment – false imprisonment – in Iran simply because of his religious beliefs.

He underwent a sham trial.  He has sustained beatings, torture, and ridicule for his faith.  Doctors and nurses have refused to treat his internal bleeding – injuries sustained at the hands of his brutal captors.

Yet, through it all, this persecuted American Pastor – a U.S. citizen - remains resilient in his faith and his knowledge that hundreds of thousands of people around the world will not stand idly by and allow this atrocity to occur.

So much has been done for Pastor Saeed, yet there is more we can all be doing for this persecuted pastor.

Over 550,000 individuals from over 180 countries around the world have signed the petition at SaveSaeed.org demanding his freedom and urging international pressure on Iran for his release.  Congress has held a hearing urging the U.S. government’s full involvement in this case.  At the close of that hearing, Congressman Frank Wolf (VA), Chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, said, “The Commission will stay with [Pastor Saeed’s case] until the release takes place.”

Media all around the world are highlighting Pastor Saeed’s plight.  Political and spiritual leaders in nations like Brazil are speaking out.  The United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran raised Pastor Saeed’s case at the U.N. Human Rights Council.  The 27-member European Union demanded Iran release him at the U.N.  Australia has spoken out about his case.  The U.S. State Department spoke out at the U.N., and now Secretary of State John Kerry has demanded his release.

We know that all this pressure is having an effect on Pastor Saeed’s case.  Iran is listening.  We have been informed that Iran’s Mission to the U.N. ordered Iran’s top appeals court officials to review Pastor Saeed’s case.  Pastor Saeed was seen by an Iranian physician.  Iranian officials also recently promised that Saeed would receive treatment for his internal bleeding.  This promise has yet to be honored, but we do know Iran is paying attention.

Now is the time to increase the pressure on Iran.

Next week is a big week in the fight to free Pastor Saeed, and we will be announcing a new effort in our public advocacy campaign for his freedom.  We will be employing a new global strategy that will give you a unique opportunity to have your voice heard in a powerful way. We're putting together and testing new web interfaces to help you engage, and we'll announce them as soon as they're ready. We will let you know how you can get involved in a new campaign that is certain to get the attention of those who are holding Pastor Saeed captive.  More details coming next week on how you can get involved in this new international effort to increase the pressure on Iran.

At the same time, we  also expect to have new information about his medical condition, which continues to worsen because of the internal bleeding that has not yet been treated by medical professionals.

More details to come next week.

As always, we will continue to keep you informed.  Please continue to pray and share his story.