International Religious Freedom Commission Calls for U.S. Support in Referring Iran's Case to the International Criminal Court

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has called for the referral of the Islamic Republic's case to the International Criminal Court after a UN expert panel deemed the suppression of protests in 2022 in Iran a 'crime against humanity.' The commissioner of the Commission on International Religious Freedom stated, 'The UN fact-finding mission's report on the actions of the Islamic Republic reflects extensive evidence of gross violations of religious freedom by the Iranian regime, many of which specifically target women and girls.' Eric Ueland urged the Biden administration to seriously support the investigations of the UN fact-finding mission, hold Iranian officials accountable, and support sending the Islamic Republic's case to the International Criminal Court. He also called for global sanctions, a visa ban for Iranian officials, and similar actions in this regard. Stephen Shenk, another commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, highlighted the widespread violations of religious freedom and women's rights in Iran, as well as the suppression of supporters of religious freedom and belief in the country. He praised the U.S. government's support and international efforts to hold the Iranian regime accountable for 'these heinous actions' and urged the U.S. Congress to facilitate the resettlement of Iranian religious minorities in the United States. The international fact-finding mission recently expressed concern over the Iranian regime's human rights violations against minorities. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also announced the latest list of countries or entities that either violate or contribute to the violation of religious freedom, which includes the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the People's Republic of China, North Korea, Eritrea, Cuba, Nicaragua, Russia, and Myanmar, designated as 'countries of particular concern.' The Secretary of State emphasized that violations of religious freedom extend beyond these countries and entities, calling on governments worldwide to address issues such as attacks on religious communities and minorities, mass violence, long-term imprisonment for peaceful expression of belief, transnational repression, and incitement to violence against religious groups.