US Highlights Execution of Arvin Ghahramani: Religious Freedom Violations Continue in Iran

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom condemned the ongoing gross violations of religious freedom in Iran, citing incidents such as the execution of a Jewish citizen and the violent arrest of a female student at the University of Science and Research. In a statement released on Friday, November 9, the Commission warned that the blatant violations of religious freedom in Iran persist, with the execution of Arvin Ghahramani, a Jewish citizen of Iran, being one of the recent cases. Ghahramani, whose execution was announced by the Iranian judiciary on Monday, November 6, was accused of committing murder at the age of 21 during a dispute. The Commission emphasized that judicial misconduct in handling this case and the failure to replace the death penalty with another punishment both occurred due to his Jewish identity. Suzy Gelman, a commissioner of the Commission, condemned the execution of Arvin Ghahramani, calling it a gross violation of religious freedom that reflects the precarious situation of Jews in Iran, despite their recognition. This official urged the Biden administration to fully implement the 'Mahsa Law' to impose targeted sanctions on senior officials and institutions responsible for human rights violations, including violations of religious freedom. Previously, the Iran Human Rights Organization reported, citing Ghahramani's relatives, that 'Arvin defended himself when attacked with a cold weapon and tried to save the life of the injured person after he was wounded.' The execution of Arvin Ghahramani, a young Jewish man accused of murder, has been carried out. The Commission on International Religious Freedom also referred to the case of a female student at the University of Science and Research in Tehran, stating that 'Ahoo Daryaee was violently arrested by agents after she removed her clothes in protest against mandatory hijab laws.' Human rights organizations had previously expressed concern about the arrest and subsequent forced hospitalization of this student in a 'psychiatric hospital.' Iranian officials denied the arrest or expulsion of this student from the university, but Hossein Simayi Sarraf, Minister of Science in the government of Mohsen Mehregan, said on Wednesday that she is currently 'under treatment.' Amnesty International had previously expressed concern about the situation of this female student, reminding that the repression of protesters under the pretext of 'mental disorders' is a longstanding issue in the Iranian government. Eric Ouellet, Vice Chair of the US Commission on Religious Freedom, stated in the Commission's announcement: 'Ahoo Daryaee is another example of Iran's complete disregard for freedom of religion or belief for all.' He called on the US government to join Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the female student from the University of Science and Research. The French Foreign Minister praised the 'courage' of the Iranian female student. The 'United States Commission on International Religious Freedom' is an independent, bipartisan entity established by the US Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on the state of religious freedom worldwide and to provide recommendations to the US government for promoting freedom of religion and belief and preventing religious persecution.