UNited nations experts condemn the seizure of tehran church compound

UN experts today condemned the confiscation of the compound of St Peter’s Evangelical Church in Tehran and the eviction of the 27 members of the country’s recognized Armenian and Assyrian Christian minorities who lived within it.

“Twenty families, most of whom are low income, long-standing residents of the compound, were reportedly given just two weeks to leave their homes. The church’s leaders were threatened with arrest if they failed to comply. The final resident left on 12 July, prompting fears that the complex may be demolished,” the experts said.

“Forced evictions are incompatible with international human rights law and risk leaving members of recognized religious and ethnic minorities homeless.”