A coalition of spiritual liberty groups has published a report suggesting that following last yr’s “12 Day War” between Israel and Iran, Christians are increasingly being targeted as “scapegoats” by the Iranian government.
According to the report, named “Scapegoats”, the variety of Christians arrested for his or her religious beliefs or activities nearly doubled last yr, rising from 139 to 254.
The same trend was observed when the variety of Christians imprisoned, exiled or subject to forced labour, with the number rising from 25 to 57.
The report is the results of a collaboration between Article 18, Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and Middle East Concern and in addition speaks in regards to the protests which began in Iran late last yr.
The protests began with the Bazaris, shopkeepers who’re generally loyal to the regime. Essentially happening strike attributable to concerns in regards to the economy, slightly than on political grounds, the Iranian government actually made concessions, akin to wage rises and tax cuts.
However, when separate protests against the federal government itself began, the regime got here down on them hard. Thousands are reported to have been killed.
Following the protests, the British government applied sanctions to a lot of Iranians believed to have been involved within the crackdown, a move welcomed by CSW.
The Scaepgoats report says, “The response to those protests has been horrifying with reports of many 1000’s killed, including several Christians, and each Iranian – no matter their religious background – affected.
“The road ahead for Iran appears removed from clear, but as we release this latest annual report of rights violations committed against Christians in 2025, we stand with the people of Iran of their call for leaders who will act on their behalf, slightly than repress them.
“For 47 years, the Iranian people have been subjected to a regime that not only consistently fails to uphold human rights for its residents, but brutally quashes dissenting voices, opinions or beliefs. This report details the violations throughout 2025 experienced by only one section of society – the Christian community.”
Iran is currently ranked the tenth worst persecutor of Christians on this planet by Open Doors, with converts from Islam particularly in danger.
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