The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has called on the U.S. government to support Iranians amid an escalating crackdown on minorities and dissidents.
In its annual report, USCIRF In Iran, “authorities systematically harassed, arrested, detained, sexually assaulted, raped and tortured protesters, including minors,” it said.
The USCIRF also highlighted enhanced enforcement of the mandatory hijab law throughout 2023, as well as increased surveillance and covert funding of morality patrols aimed at “harassment of naked women.”
“In 2023, the situation of religious freedom in Iran remained extremely poor. Protests against the compulsory hijab law and other restrictions on freedom of religion and belief were met with violent attacks by security forces. “During the year, Iran executed at least eight protesters on religiously-based charges,” the commission's 2024 annual report states. .
This report was published in the following circumstances: control Since last month under the administration, new initiatives The company, called Nour, has since flooded social media with footage used by the morality police. violence against women Allegations of extortion, theft, and harassment by police are rampant, and there is a widespread revolt against the hijab.
The report also notes the regime's repression of religious minorities, including Sunni Muslims and Baha'is. The latter is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iran's Shi'ite clerical regime, resulting in an organized and long-standing decline in the Bahá'í religion in a country where Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are the only legally recognized religions. A violation of religious rights is occurring.
“In 2023, authorities made individual and mass arrests of Baha'is across Iran, taking them to undisclosed locations and imposing disproportionately long prison sentences. They beat Christians and committed brutal acts,” the report added.
There are an estimated 300,000 Baha'is in Iran, making them one of the country's most persecuted minorities. Harassment, forced evictions from housing and businesses, and unequal treatment in government employment and higher education are some of the challenges the group faces in the midst of the country's already deepening economic crisis.
USCIRF also noted that the Iranian government continues to impose repressive policies abroad, including harassing religious dissidents and targeting Jewish strongholds. The report cites three instances in the last year in Greece, Cyprus and Brazil in which the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) planned attacks on Israeli targets.
