A VOA editorial, "reflecting the views of the U.S. Government", states in relevant part (http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2009-05-18-voa6.cfm):
In a report released this month, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan governmental body, described a deteriorating situation regarding religious freedom in Iran - particularly for Baha'is, Evangelical Christians, and Sufi Muslims.
At least 30 members of the Baha'i community are in prison because of their faith, according to the Commission. Dozens are awaiting trial, while others have been arbitrarily sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 months to several years. The 7 Baha'i community leaders remain in prison charged with crimes - such as "insulting religious sanctities" and espionage - that could result in the death penalty. May 14th was the one-year anniversary of their arrest.
The Commission also cited the cases of persecuted Christians in Iran, like Marzieh Esmaeilabad and Maryam Rustapoor. The two women were arrested in March for practicing Christianity after authorities raided and confiscated material from their home. Authorities reportedly have accused them of engaging in anti-government activities, and they are being held in Evin where they face further interrogation.
Sufi Muslims have also been targeted by the Iranian government because of their faith. The Commission reports that in the past year more than a dozen Sufi Muslims, including 6 members of the Gonabadi Dervishes on Kish Island, were arrested; some are still in prison, while the whereabouts of others are unknown.
Most disconcerting, the Iranian Parliament is considering approving draft revisions to the penal code that would make conversion from Shi'a Islam to any other religion (known as apostacy) a crime punishable by death.
I hope U.S. diplomats and their Iranian guests enjoy their hamburgers as they gaze up at the fireworks, while those brutally tortured by the Persian theocracy claw at the walls in the darkness of their cells.
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