‘We continue to see the incredible courage of Iranian Christians and other oppressed religious minorities – standing strong despite the real risk of arrest, detention, imprisonment and even execution. But they need our support...’ – Mansour Borji
Mansour is the Advocacy Director of Article 18, an organisation we partner with on Iran. Thanks to our UN accreditation, CSW was able to invite Mansour to speak in person during an event at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in March. He was one of the panellists who helped shine a light on the oppression of religious minorities in Iran, as part of a joint event together with the World Evangelical Alliance, Article 18, Open Doors and Middle East Concern.
Find out more at csw.org.uk/un
Sunday 16 July
Give thanks for Mansour and CSW staff who attended the UN HRC in March. Praise God for the opportunities we have within this international arena, to bring our unique, world-renowned expertise and champion freedom of religion or belief for all.
Monday 17 July
Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz and his wife Shamiram Issavi came to the UN to share their experiences. They had been forced to flee Iran or face a combined 15 years in prison for ministering to Christian converts. Pray that their testimonies will lead to greater engagement by UN experts, such as the Special Rapporteur on Iran.
Tuesday 18 July
In April, a resolution on Nicaragua was passed at the HRC. This official document allows UN experts to continue monitoring and reporting on the country’s human rights situation and to discuss it again at future sessions of the HRC. Pray that this would lead to positive progress in Nicaragua.
Wednesday 19 July
Thanks to CSW’s generous supporters, we have been able to send our UN Officer and other advocates to the UN in person. Spend a moment giving thanks for the unique, valuable opportunities this provides, such as making new contacts, strengthening advocacy relationships, and delivering statements during council meetings.
Thursday 20 July
This month marks one year since Dr Nazila Ghanea was appointed as the new UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. Pray for boldness as she uses this mandate to bring cases of concern to the UN’s attention, and call the world to action.
Friday 21 July
Our UN Officer Claire engages with the mechanisms of the United Nations all year round, not just at Human Rights Council sessions. Pray that God would go before her in every meeting she attends – preparing hearts and minds to receive the research and analysis she will deliver.
Saturday 22 July
At the March-April session of the HRC, Claire was supported in prayer by Eloise, a fellow CSW advocate. Today we echo her words in prayer:
Heavenly Father, we put our hope in your unfailing love. Would your will be done in and through Claire during her time in Geneva. Amen.