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Human Rights? Iran Sentences Christians to 80 Lashes for Communion Wine

Aimee Herd : Oct 25, 2013
Benjamin Weinthal – FOX News

"Despite the recent Iranian charm offensive, Dr. Shaheed's report reminds us of the true nature of the Iranian regime where the abuse of human rights continue." –Sen. Mark Kirk.

Iranian ChristiansIran's new president Hasan Rouhani's recent visit to the United Nations in New York may have given the picture of a more moderate regime, however, news of harsh sentencing against a group of Christians on October 6th, seems to refute that.

According to a UN report, four Christian men who had been arrested last December for consuming alcohol (which is against Iran's theocracy laws) while taking communion in a house church service, were sentenced to 80 lashes.

The men were among some 20 other Believers who were being punished for their faith since converting from Islam to Christianity—an offense that, in Iran, is punishable by death.

US Rep. Eliot Engel, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, "If the regime thinks that its international charm offensive will help whitewash its appalling human rights record as documented by the UN report, they are sorely mistaken."

The report on the persecution of the Christians was shared in the UN by Ahmed Shaheed, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran.

"Despite the recent Iranian charm offensive, Dr. Shaheed's report reminds us of the true nature of the Iranian regime where the abuse of human rights continue," added Sen. Mark Kirk, chairman and founder of the Iran Dissident Awareness Program.