Iranian Security Forces Kill 19 Christians Amid Nationwide Protests, Watchdog Reports
TEHRAN, Iran — At least 19 Christians have been killed by Iranian security forces during recent nationwide protests against the Islamic Republic’s regime, according to a report from Article 18, an organization dedicated to promoting religious freedom in Iran. The deaths underscore a continuing pattern of persecution against religious minorities amid the country’s escalating political unrest.
Article 18 confirmed that the victims include members of both Iran’s recognized Christian minorities, such as Armenians and Assyrians, as well as unrecognized converts to Christianity. Among those killed were Nader Mohammadi, 35, and Zahra Arjomandi, 51, who were fatally shot on January 8 during separate protests approximately 1,000 miles apart. These killings occurred amid a brutal crackdown on demonstrators opposing the regime’s authority.
The protests, which erupted last month, have been met with violent repression by Iranian security forces, who have been accused by human rights organizations of using lethal force against peaceful protesters. The situation has drawn international condemnation, with calls for accountability and protection of religious freedoms.
Estimates from advocacy groups place Iran’s Christian population between 500,000 and 1.24 million, encompassing a diverse range of ethnic and religious backgrounds. Despite constitutional recognition of some Christian communities, converts and evangelical Christians often face heightened scrutiny and persecution.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has repeatedly highlighted Iran as a country of particular concern for religious freedom violations. Their reports document systemic discrimination and violence against religious minorities, including Christians, Baha’is, and others.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State’s annual International Religious Freedom Report has detailed similar abuses, emphasizing the Iranian government’s ongoing efforts to suppress dissent and control religious expression.
Amid these developments, the United Nations has urged Iran to respect fundamental human rights and allow peaceful protests without resorting to deadly force. The UN Human Rights Office continues to monitor the situation closely, calling for transparent investigations into all deaths related to the protests.
As the regime faces mounting pressure both domestically and internationally, the fate of religious minorities remains precarious. The killings of Mohammadi, Arjomandi, and others serve as grim reminders of the risks faced by those who challenge the status quo in Iran.
For more information on religious freedom and human rights in Iran, visit the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the U.S. Department of State, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Advocacy groups such as Article 18 continue to document abuses and provide updates on the situation.
As Iran’s political crisis deepens, the international community watches closely, hoping to prevent further loss of life and uphold the rights of all Iranians to worship freely and protest peacefully.
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