Annual Report on 'International Religious Freedom' Regarding Iran; Extensive Restrictions on Minorities

On Monday, May 15, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken presented the '2022 Religious Freedom Report,' stating that the right to freedom of religion is a fundamental right. Blinken announced that this report includes the status of religious freedom in 200 countries worldwide, saying, 'Religious freedom is vital for a secure society.' He noted the activities of civil society in many countries to create change, stating that many governments have responded to these requests, yet many individuals remain imprisoned solely for practicing their religion, and many governments target religious minorities for repression. The U.S. Secretary of State pointed to the nationwide protests in Iran and the peaceful protests by Iranian women following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Blinken emphasized that the United States stands with those who promote religious freedom and with the people of countries where religious rights are violated, considering this a 'sustained commitment' of the Biden administration to defend the right to religious freedom. He described the 2022 religious freedom report as a reflection of the U.S. government's view of the state of religious freedom worldwide. Additionally, Rashad Hussain, U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom, highlighted violations by countries including the Islamic Republic of Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the Taliban in Afghanistan, stating, 'We want respect for religious freedom guaranteed everywhere in the world.' Hadi Ghaemi, director of the Iran Human Rights Campaign, referred to the execution of Youssef Mehrad and Sadrollah Fazeli-Zar in Iran and stated that the situation for religious belief and practice in Iran has worsened each year. He mentioned that during the ongoing movement since last September, the government not only suppresses dissent but has also executed two individuals on charges of blasphemy in recent days. He pointed to the cases of Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashimi, and Saeed Yaqoubi, three protesters sentenced to death, indicating serious issues with their cases and that these individuals are becoming victims of security and political projects. Ghaemi noted the widespread public protests in front of the Dastgerd prison in Isfahan, following the possibility of their executions, urging the Iranian people to utilize their power. The section of the U.S. State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom report published on Monday, May 15, mentioned numerous instances of violation and repression of religious freedoms by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The report cited Baha'is and their rights defenders, stating that the government's repression, violence, discrimination, and social stigmatization against members of the Baha'i community 'continues and has intensified,' with perpetrators remaining immune. The report also referred to pressures faced by Christian converts from families and communities, negative statements and propaganda by Shia clerics against Sufis, and insults endured by Sunni students.