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Headlines : Human RightsIran to Punish Apostasy with Death
The European Union, which opposes the death penalty as public policy, has sent a letter to the leaders of Iran expressing its “acute concern” over their proposed change to the penal code which would make apostasy- the formal denunciation of religion- punishable by death.
The apostasy law includes not only those who denounce religion, but also those who practice a faith not recognized by the Iranian government. Currently, other than Islam, only Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism are recognized.
Members of the Baha’i faith in Germany are worried about the incarceration of three Iranian Baha’i who were arrested in the Southern Iranian city of Schiraz and sentenced to four years in 2006. At present they are being held in a secret location. In early February, the E.U. expressed its concern about the “worsening situation for ethnic and religious minorities in Iran, in particular that of the Baha’i.”
[Posted By shades]Republished from reuters/nmb
The European Union this week sent a letter to authorities in Iran expressing its concern over a proposed change to the penal code that would make apostasy punishable by death.
The EU is responding to news that the Islamic Republic is planning to subject “apostasy, heresy and witchcraft” to the Hudud — the body of fixed punishments assigned to crimes that are considered violations of the “claims of God.” Other Hadud crimes include alcohol consumption, theft, highway robbery and illegal sexual intercourse.
Posted by shades
I am a 60-year-old portrait artist (pastels and charcoal) with a love for progressive politics. When I am not doing a portrait, I am going through many sites on the net like Mother Jones, In These Times and GNN. I started my love for politics and activism...
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- Islam and Liberalism
Posted by Sean on Wednesday, December 31st 1969
Persecution of Bahá‘ís
The problem appears to be that the Baha’i have a prophet that showed up after the Koran’s. You can be Zoroastrian, Jewish or Christian in Iran, no problem. If you aren’t a Muslim in Iran, you can drink alcohol. But.
OPEN QUOTE
Iranian law recognizes all those who accept the existence of God and the prophethood of Muhammad as Muslims. Bahá‘ís accept both of these precepts, however Bahá‘ís recognize the Báb and Bahá‘u’lláh as additional messengers that have appeared after Muhammad. Muslims, on the other hand, assert the finality of Muhammad’s revelation. Iranian law therefore treats Bahá‘ís as “heretics” rather than members of an independent religion, as they describe themselves.
To this day, Bahá‘ís are a widely persecuted minority group in Iran and other predominantly Muslim countries, since they are seen as apostates from Islam, and supporters of the West and Israel.
lets send a Apostasy army of peace there, whose with me?