HRC42: Oral statement under Agenda Item 4

Agenda Item 4 General Debate

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President.

CSW is deeply concerned by the continuing crackdown on freedom of religion or belief in Iran.

Many Christians and Baha’is are currently serving excessive sentences on unfounded charges relating to ‘national security.’ Sentences are often handed down by judges notorious for miscarriages of justice who are on international sanction lists.

We call for the immediate release of those imprisoned on account of their religion or belief, and an end to judicial harassment of ethnic and religious minorities.

CSW is also concerned that Iran is fuelling sectarian tensions and violence in Syria and Yemen through indirect military intervention. We urge Iran to assist in creating sustainable political solutions that ensure peace and reconciliation.

CSW welcomes the recent reform of church construction laws by the Egyptian government. However we are concerned by continuing violence by non-state actors against the Christian community, particularly in Upper Egypt.

We call on Egypt to ensure appropriate responses to sectarian violence by proscribing sectarian narratives and hate speech, and reforming policing at the local level.

In China, members of religious groups and human rights defenders are regularly subjected to enforced disappearance. Among them is human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who was forcibly disappeared on 13 August 2017. His whereabouts remain unknown.

We call on China to release all those currently disappeared or detained in connection with their religion or belief, or for defending human rights.

CSW is also concerned by the continued targeting of Christians across China, including members of Early Rain Church in Chengdu. The church’s pastor, Wang Yi, has been detained since 9 December 2018.

We call on China to cease the harassment of Early Rain Church, to release Pastor Wang Yi immediately, and to facilitate full enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief for all.

Thank you