Iran clamping down on rights of Christians
Date: Feb 17

IRANIAN Christians and converts from a Muslim background are facing increasing persecution and are becoming fearful for their lives, according to observers in the region. In a House of Lords debate on the Middle-East country, the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, also raised his concerns over their plight.

“Their freedom is in many cases significantly restricted,” he said. “Their properties have been confiscated and they live in constant fear of being reported to the Basiji, or revolutionary guard. Their survival and welfare should be in our minds.” A house church leader, Ghorban Dordi Tourani, was assassinated in November 2005 and Stefan van Velde, a staff worker for Open Doors, fears that more Christians will be murdered for their faith. The rest