Today, Congressman Doug Lamborn voted for a bipartisan resolution condemning the government of Iran for its persecution, imprisonment, and sentencing to death of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani on the basis of his religious beliefs.  Lamborn cosponsored the resolution.

“The government of Iran should immediately release Pastor Youcef. I urge that nation to  recognize that freedom of religious belief and practice is a universal human right and fundamental freedom.

“I have often said that religious freedom is the first freedom and many other freedoms flow from it. Pastor Youcef has bravely stood by his Christian faith and represents one of many religious minorities in Iran being punished for their faith.  I urge the government of Iran to do what is right, just, and shows a respect for individual freedom.

“My prayers continue to be with Pastor Youcef and his family.” — Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

Congressman Lamborn cosigned an October 6, 2011 letter to Secretary Clinton urging her to take swift, diplomatic action on behalf of Pastor Youcef. 

Congressman Lamborn is a member of the International Religious Freedom Caucus, which seeks to encourage and promote religious freedom around the world for all faiths. 

Background:

• In September of 2010, an Iranian court accused Youcef Nadarkhani of abandoning his Islamic faith and condemned him to death by hanging. 
• The government of Iran has recently retracted this decision by stating that no execution order had been announced for Pastor Youcef, and instead, that he is being held for rape and “other crimes.” 
• On three different occasions, government officials and members of Iran’s judiciary system have offered to reduce or reverse Pastor Youcef’s sentence if he would disavow his Christian faith and return to Islam. Each time Pastor Youcef has bravely refused.
• Interestingly enough, Iran is a member of the United Nations and a signatory to both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
• Pastor Youcef is one of thousands detained for practicing their beliefs in the country of Iran, including Christians, Zoroastrians, Sufis, and Baha’is

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