Representative Mike Kelly Demands Stay of Execution for Iranian Christian Pastor

Representative Mike Kelly Demands Stay of Execution for Iranian Christian Pastor

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) issued the following statement on the imminent execution of  Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian Christian pastor who is facing the death penalty for his Christian faith:

“I strongly condemn the Iranian regime’s plan to impose the death penalty on Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian pastor whose only ‘crime’ is refusing to renounce his Christian faith despite the regime’s repeated demands to do so.

“The regime’s actions are an affront to basic, universal, human rights that are the birthright of all people and have a chilling effect on the ability of all Iranians, especially its religious minorities, to engage in the free exercise of religion without fear of persecution.

“The regime’s actions are contrary to international human rights standards and are a breach of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party and which it has therefore sworn to uphold.

“I strongly urge the Iranian government to grant Mr. Nadarkhani an immediate and unconditional release.”

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