IRAN TIER 1 | USCIRF-RECOMMENDED COUNTRIES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN (CPC)

KEY FINDINGS During the past year, the government of engaged in because of their beliefs has increased, despite the government systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious free- releasing some religious prisoners of conscience during the dom, including prolonged detention, torture, and executions reporting period. While Iran’s clerical establishment continued based primarily or entirely upon the religion of the accused. to express anti-Semitic sentiments, the level of anti-Semitic Severe violations targeting religious minorities—especially rhetoric from government officials has diminished during Pres- Baha’is, Christian converts, and Sunni Muslims—continued ident Rouhani’s tenure. Since 1999, the State Department has unabated. Sufi Muslims and dissenting Shi’a Muslims also designated Iran as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, faced harassment, arrests, and imprisonment. Since President under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), most Hassan Rouhani was elected in 2013, the number of individ- recently in October 2016. USCIRF again recommends in 2017 uals from religious minority communities who are in prison that Iran be designated a CPC.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

• Continue to designate Iran as a CPC severe violations of religious freedom, • Use appropriated funds to advance under IRFA; freeze those individuals’ assets, and Internet freedom and protect Iranian • Ensure that violations of freedom of bar their entry into the United States, activists by supporting the devel- religion or belief and related human as delineated under the Comprehen- opment and accessibility of new rights are part of multilateral or bilateral sive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and technologies and programs to counter discussions with the Iranian govern- Divestment Act (CISADA) and related censorship and to facilitate the free ment whenever possible, and continue executive orders, citing specific religious flow of information in and out of Iran. to work closely with European and freedom violations; other allies to apply pressure through • Call on Iran to cooperate fully with the The U.S. Congress should: a combination of advocacy, diplomacy, UN Special Rapporteur on the human • Reauthorize the Lautenberg Amend- and targeted sanctions for religious rights situation in Iran, including allow- ment, which aids persecuted Iranian freedom abuses; ing the Special Rapporteur—and the religious minorities and other specified UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of • Continue to speak out publicly and groups seeking refugee status in the religion or belief—to visit; frequently at the highest levels about United States, and work to provide the the severe religious freedom abuses in • Continue to support an annual UN president with permanent authority Iran, press for and work to secure the General Assembly resolution con- to designate as refugees specifically release of all prisoners of conscience, demning severe violations of human defined groups based on shared and highlight the need for the interna- rights—including freedom of religion characteristics identifying them as tional community to hold authorities or belief—in Iran and calling for officials targets for persecution on account of accountable in specific cases; responsible for such violations to be race, religion, nationality, membership • Continue to identify Iranian government held accountable; and in a particular social group, or political agencies and officials responsible for opinion.

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BACKGROUND (“enmity against God”) and sabb al-nabi (“insulting the The Islamic Republic of Iran is a constitutional, theo- prophets”). Since the 1979 revolution, many members cratic republic that proclaims the Twelver (Shi’a) Jaafari of minority religious communities have fled in fear of School of Islam to be the official religion of the country. persecution. Killings, arrests, and physical abuse of The constitution stipulates that followers of five other detainees have increased in recent years, including for schools of thought within Islam—Maliki, Hanafi, Shafi’i, religious minorities and Muslims who dissent or express Hanbali, and Zaydi—should be accorded respect and views perceived as threatening the government’s legit- permitted to perform their religious rites. The constitu- imacy. The government continues to use its religious tion also recognizes Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians laws to silence reformers—including human rights as protected religious minorities, and five (out of a activists, journalists, and women’s rights advocates—for total of 290) seats in the exercising their interna- parliament are reserved tionally protected rights to freedom of expression for these groups (two for Despite publicly releasing . . . a nonbinding and religion or belief. Armenian Christians Charter on Citizens’ Rights—which Despite publicly and one each for Assyr- includes provisions to releasing in Decem- ian Christians, Jews, respect freedom of thought and ber 2016 a nonbinding and Zoroastrians). With religious belief for all citizens— Charter on Citizens’ an overall population President Rouhani has not delivered Rights—which includes of just over 80 million, on his promises to strengthen civil liberties provisions to respect Iran is approximately for religious minorities. 99 percent Muslim—90 freedom of thought and percent Shi’a and 9 per- religious belief for all citi- cent Sunni. According zens—President Rouhani to recent estimates, religious minority communities has not delivered on his promises to strengthen civil constitute about 1 percent of the population and include liberties for religious minorities. Even some of the con- Yarsan (approximately one million), Baha’is (more than stitutionally recognized non-Muslim minorities—Jews, 300,000), various Christian denominations (nearly Armenian and Assyrian Christians, and Zoroastrians— 300,000), Zoroastrians (30,000 to 35,000), Jews (20,000), face official harassment, intimidation, discrimination, and Sabean-Mandaeans (5,000 to 10,000). arrests, and imprisonment. Some majority Shi’a and Nevertheless, the government of Iran discriminates minority Sunni Muslims, including clerics who dissent, against its citizens on the basis of religion or belief, as all were intimidated, harassed, and detained. Dissident laws and regulations are based on unique Shi’a Islamic Muslims and human rights defenders were increasingly criteria. Under Iran’s penal code, it is a capital crime subject to abuse, and several were sentenced to death for non-Muslims to convert Muslims, as is moharebeh and executed for “enmity against God.”

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RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CONDITIONS ing prison terms or had cases pending against them. 2016–2017 Iranian state television regularly airs programs demon- Muslims izing Sufism. Over the past few years, the Iranian government has Baha’is imposed harsh prison sentences on prominent reform- The Baha’i community, the largest non-Muslim religious ers from the Shi’a majority community. Authorities minority in Iran, has long been subject to particu- charged many of these reformers with “insulting Islam,” larly severe religious freedom violations. UN officials, criticizing the Islamic Republic, and publishing mate- including former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have rials that allegedly deviate from Islamic standards. found the Baha’i community to be the “most severely Dissident Shi’a cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Kaze- persecuted religious minority” in Iran, with its members meni Boroujerdi continued to serve an 11-year prison subject to multiple forms of discrimination “that affect sentence, and the government has banned him from their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.” practicing his clerical duties and has confiscated his home and belongings. He has suffered physical and mental abuse while in prison. According to human rights groups and the United UN officials, including former Nations (UN), at least 120 Sunni Muslims are in prison Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on charges related to their beliefs and religious activi- have found the Baha’i community ties. In August 2016, approximately 22 Sunni Muslims to be the “most severely persecuted were executed for “enmity against God,” including religious minority” in Iran. . . . Sunni cleric Shahram Ahmadi, who was arrested in 2009 on unfounded security-related charges and reportedly forced to make a false confession. Several The government views Baha’is as “heretics,” and other Sunni Muslims are on death row after having been consequently they face repression on the grounds of convicted of “enmity against God” in unfair judicial apostasy. Since 1979, authorities have killed or executed proceedings. Leaders from the Sunni community have more than 200 Baha’i leaders, and more than 10,000 been unable to build a mosque in and have have been dismissed from government and university reported widespread abuses and restrictions on their jobs. Over the past 10 years, nearly 1,000 Baha’is have religious practice, including detention and harassment been arbitrarily arrested. of clerics and bans on Sunni teachings in public schools. As of February 2017, at least 90 Baha’is were being Additionally, Iranian authorities have destroyed Sunni held in prison solely because of their religious beliefs. religious literature and mosques in eastern Iran. These include seven Baha’i leaders—Fariba Kamala- Sufi followers who focus on the spiritual and badi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naemi, Saeid Rezaie, mystical elements within Islam—are targeted on the Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. basis of non-conformity to the state’s official interpre- During the past year, dozens of Baha’is were arrested tation of Islam. Members of the Nematollahi Gonabadi throughout the country. For example, in September Sufi order continue to face a range of abuses, including 2016, approximately 14 Baha’is were arrested in Shiraz attacks on their prayer centers and husseiniyas (meet- and for their religious beliefs. In July 2016, five ing halls); destruction of community cemeteries; and Baha’is were arrested in Shiraz and government agents harassment, arrests, and physical assaults of their raided private homes and seized personal computers leaders. Over the past year, authorities have detained and other materials. In January 2016, in Golestan Prov- dozens of Sufis, sentencing many to imprisonment, ince, 24 Baha’is were sentenced to prison terms ranging fines, and floggings. In November 2016, five members from six to 11 years after being convicted for “illegal” were charged with “insulting the sacred” and “insult- membership in the Baha’i community and engaging in ing senior officials,” among other charges; their case religious activities. is ongoing. Nearly 20 Sufi activists were either serv-

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In recent years, Iranian government officials have and released within days, but some were held without undertaken a campaign to shutter Baha’i-owned busi- charge for months, and several remain in detention. nesses whenever the community observed its religious As of December 2016, approximately 90 Christians holidays. For example, in November 2016, at least 124 were in prison, detained, or awaiting trial because of Baha’i-owned business in the provinces of Mazanda- their religious beliefs and activities. ran, , Hormozgan, and were closed by authorities following the community’s observance of two Baha’i holy days. In June 2016, in Urumia, West Over the past year, there were Province, at least 25 Baha’i-owned shops numerous incidents of were shut down without explanation by authorities; this Iranian authorities raiding also followed the observance of a Baha’i holy day. church services, threatening church Although the Iranian government maintains members, and arresting and publicly that Baha’is are free to attend university, the de imprisoning worshipers and facto policy of preventing Baha’is from obtaining higher church leaders, particularly education remains in effect. In recent years, many Evangelical Christian converts. Baha’i youth who scored very high on standardized tests were either denied entry into university or expelled during the academic year once their religious identity became known to education officials. Christian leaders of house churches were the During the past year, hundreds of pro-government particular focus of Iranian authorities, and often were media articles continued to appear online and in print charged with unfounded national-security-related inciting religious hatred and encouraging violence crimes. In May 2016, four Christian converts from against Baha’is after various sermons of prayer leaders Rasht—Yousef Nadarkhani, Yaser Mosibzadeh, Saheb were delivered. In June 2016, the UN Special Rappor- Fadayee, and Mohammed Reza Omidi—were arrested teurs on the situation of human rights in Iran and on and charged with acting against national security freedom of religion or belief expressed serious con- because of their activity in the house church movement; cern about incidents of incitement against the Baha’i each could face up to six years in prison. Nadarkhani community, noting that they could encourage acts of previously served several years in prison on an apos- violence against Baha’is. tasy conviction until his release in 2013. The other three In September 2016, Baha’i Farhang Amiri was men—who remain in detention—were charged with stabbed to death by two men outside of his home in drinking alcohol and are appealing their sentences of 80 ; the two men later reportedly confessed, saying lashes each. they killed him because he was an apostate and they In December 2016, Maryam Naghash Zargaran, a wanted to go to heaven. At the end of the reporting Christian convert from Islam, had her four-year sen- period, an investigation was ongoing. tence extended at least six weeks because of time she spent outside of prison for medical care during the Christians summer of 2016. During the year, she undertook two Since 2010, authorities arbitrarily have arrested and hunger strikes to protest being denied treatment for her detained more than 600 Christians throughout the chronic health problems. She was arrested in January country. Over the past year, there were numerous 2013 and later convicted of “propaganda against the incidents of Iranian authorities raiding church ser- Islamic regime and collusion intended to harm national vices, threatening church members, and arresting security” in connection with her work at an orphanage and imprisoning worshipers and church leaders, par- alongside Iranian-American Christian pastor Saeed ticularly Evangelical Christian converts. According to Abedini, who was released from prison in January 2016 reports, nearly 80 Christians were arrested between as part of a prisoner swap between the United States May and August 2016; the majority were interrogated and Iran. Pastor Abedini had been serving an eight-year

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prison sentence for “threatening the national security Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, of Iran” for his activity in the house church movement. and Dissidents In addition, in October 2016, Christian pastor Behnam Iranian authorities regularly detain and harass journal- was released from prison after serving a six-year ists, bloggers, and human rights defenders who criticize sentence for religious activities. the Islamic revolution or the Iranian government. Over During the year, there was an increase of the past few years, a number of human rights lawyers who anti-Christian sentiment in government-controlled defended Baha’is and Christians in court were impris- and progovernment media outlets, as well as a prolifer- oned or fled the country for fear of arrest or prosecution. ation of anti-Christian publications online and in print Despite having completed a five-year prison throughout Iran. term, Mohammad Ali Taheri, a university professor and founder of a spiritual movement (Erfan Halgheh Jews, Zoroastrians, and the Yarsan or Spiritual Circle), remains in detention; there have Although the vitriolic sentiment was not as pro- been reports that after a hunger strike in October nounced as in previous years, the government 2016, Taheri fell into a coma. At the end of the report- continued to propagate anti-Semitism and target ing period, his whereabouts were unknown. In 2011, members of the Jewish community on the basis of real Taheri was convicted and sentenced to five years in or perceived “ties to Israel.” In 2016, high-level clerics prison and 74 lashes for “insulting religious sanctities” continued to make anti-Semitic remarks in mosques. for publishing several books on spirituality. Some Numerous programs broadcast on state-run televi- of Taheri’s followers also were convicted on similar sion advance anti-Semitic messages. In May 2016, the charges and sentenced to prison terms ranging from Iranian government sponsored a cartoon contest on one to five years. In July 2015, in a separate trial, Taheri the Holocaust. Discrimination against Jews continues was sentenced to death for “spreading corruption on to be pervasive, fostering a threatening atmosphere earth;” in December 2015, the Iranian Supreme Court for the Jewish community. In recent years, members overturned Taheri’s death sentence. of the Zoroastrian community have come under increasing repression and discrimination. At least Women’s Rights two Zoroastrians convicted in 2011 for propagating The government’s enforcement of its official interpreta- their faith, blasphemy, and other trumped-up charges tion of Shi’a Islam negatively affects the human rights remain in prison. of women in Iran, including their freedoms of move- While the Iranian government considers followers ment, association, thought, conscience, and religion or of the Yarsan faith as Shi’a belief, as well as freedom Muslims who practice from coercion in matters Sufism, members identify The government’s enforcement of religion or belief. The as a distinct and separate of its official interpretation of Iranian justice system religion (also known as Shi’a Islam negatively affects the does not grant women the Ahle-Haqq or People human rights of women in Iran, same legal status as men. of Truth). In June 2016, including their freedoms of movement, For example, testimony leaders of the Yarsan association, thought, conscience, by a man is equivalent faith wrote to the Iranian and religion or belief. . . . to the testimony of two government asking for a women, and civil and constitutional amend- penal code provisions, in ment that would prohibit particular those dealing discrimination against them and would recognize the with personal status and property law, discriminate community as a religious minority; reportedly, the against women. Iranian government responded by stating it already During the reporting period, Iranian authorities respects their religious beliefs and citizenship rights. continued their enforcement of the strict dress code

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for women. In 2016, Iranian authorities announced rights violations, the United States has imposed visa that in addition to the uniformed “morality police,” restrictions and asset freezes on 19 Iranian officials and they would add an additional 7,000 undercover Gashte 18 Iranian entities pursuant to CISADA, ITRSHRA, and Ershad (Guidance Patrol) officers with broad powers various executive orders. Nevertheless, no new officials to punish and even arrest people for failing to meet or entities were sanctioned for human rights or religious modesty norms. By law, Iranian women, regardless freedom abuses during the reporting period. of their religious affiliation or belief, must be covered In recent years, U.S. policy on human rights and from head to foot while in public. Social interaction religious freedom in Iran included a combination of between unrelated men and women is banned, and public statements, multilateral activity, and the impo- the morality police continued throughout the coun- sition of unilateral sanctions on Iranian government try to stop cars with young men and women inside to officials and entities for human rights violations. question their relationship. During the reporting period, high-level U.S. officials in multilateral fora and through public statements urged U.S. POLICY the Iranian government to respect its citizens’ human The U.S. government has not had formal diplomatic rela- rights, including the right to religious freedom. In tions with the government of Iran since 1980, although December 2016, for the 14th year in a row, the U.S. gov- the United States participated in negotiations with Iran ernment cosponsored and supported a successful UN over the country’s nuclear program as part of the group General Assembly resolution on human rights in Iran, of countries known as the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, which passed 85 to 35, with 63 abstentions. The resolu- the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany). tion condemned the Iranian government’s poor human In July 2015, the P5+1, the European Union, and Iran rights record, including its religious freedom violations announced they had reached the Joint Comprehensive and continued abuses targeting religious minorities. Plan of Action (JCPOA) to ensure that Iran’s nuclear pro- On January 16, 2016, the Obama Administra- gram would be exclusively peaceful. In January 2016, the tion announced it had secured the release from jail UN, United States, and European Union began lifting of Iranian-American Pastor Abedini and three other nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, and they continue to Americans, in exchange for the release of seven Iranians monitor Iran’s compliance with the agreement. Not- in prison in the United States. Pastor Abedini and the withstanding the JCPOA, the United States continues other three Americans returned to the United States to keep in place and enforce sanctions for Iran’s human later that month. rights violations, its support for terrorism, and its ballis- On October 31, 2016, the secretary of state re-des- tic missile program. ignated Iran as a CPC. The secretary designated the On July 1, 2010, then President Barack Obama following presidential action for Iran: “The existing signed into law the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, ongoing travel restrictions based on serious human Accountability, and Divestment Act (CISADA), which rights abuses under section 221(a)(1)(C) of the Iran highlights Iran’s serious human rights violations, Threat Reduction and Human Rights Act of 2012, including suppression of religious freedom. CISADA, pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the Act.” A previous des- P.L. 111-195, requires the president to submit to Con- ignation made in 2011 cited a provision under CISADA gress a list of Iranian government officials or persons as the presidential action. Unlike CISADA, ITRSHRA acting on their behalf responsible for human rights does not contain a specific provision citing religious and religious freedom abuses, bars their entry into the freedom violations. United States, and freezes their assets. In August 2012, then President Obama signed into law the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act (ITRSHRA) of 2012, P.L. 112-239, which enhances the scope of human rights-related sanctions contained in CISADA. Over the past six years, as a consequence of Iran’s human

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