05/07/2022 Iran (International Christian Concern) – Twenty-five Iranian Christian converts signed a joint statement regarding the deprivation of their right to work, according to Article 18. Signatories included several Christians previously imprisoned for their faith, such as Sam Khosravi and Maryam Fallahi, and Mary Mohammadi.

The statement’s release coincided with International Workers’ Day and detailed the obstacles that Iranian authorities place in the way of Christian’s ability to work, even in self-employment. The statement reads in part, “Many Christians, in spite of being deprived of the right to education, acquired lots of expertise and abilities in various fields. But in spite of the urgent need of the country to use specialists and elites in order to solve the frequent and numerous social crises, in none of the managerial levels, legislation, science, medicine, in any of the ministries, important government institutions, and other important positions have they any place at all to build their future and the future of others.”

Although Christianity is constitutionally recognized in Iran, that only includes indigenous Christians such as those from Armenian or Assyrian backgrounds. Persian-speaking converts have no such rights for gathering and recognition.

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