A pastor from Iran has told Premier Christian News he signed a statement calling for an end to the regime in Iran because it’s part of his Christian calling – despite the security risk to himself.
'Robert' is among more than 200 Christian and church leaders to sign the declaration, which says the current regime has “lost moral, national, and international legitimacy after nearly five decades of repression”.
The statement comes after thousands of people were killed earlier this year during the regime’s brutal crackdown against anti-regime protests. Over the last few days, student protests against the regime have been spreading to more universities, with at least 13 institutions affected.
Robert said that as, a Christian, he had to take a stand. “I don’t have a right to choose what is right or what is not right when a minimum of 30,000 and a maximum of 90,000 people have been killed so far and you don't know what is happening at the moment in prisons or other places," he said. "So I think it is a moral obligation for me to stand firm and bold as Jesus has instructed us.”
The pastor ministered in Iran for 15 years, but since leaving the country, continues to work “underground” with people in Iran and Afghanistan.
He told Premier the security risk of speaking out is always at the back of his mind. “When I was thinking about signing this paper, this declaration, I had those questions all in my head about what will happen to me or my family who live in Iran," he said. "But I think that's a very selfish way of dealing with this declaration, because it's not just about me.
“I do have fear, but I prefer to be bold because I can't imagine myself reaching the age of 90 and not speaking about the fruit which is what really matters here. I want to stand with the people of Iran and with all those people who are in need who don’t have a voice. That is my moral obligation.”
The statement was organised by Attieh Fard, a Christian lawyer who was born in Iran. It calls for “national unity, responsible leadership, and a peaceful, rational transition from authoritarian rule toward a secular democratic political system.” The signatories are putting their faith in the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and would like to unite around six core principles:
● Establishment of a free Iran ensuring separation of religion and state
● Equality of all citizens before the law (the Rule of Law)
● Ending discrimination based on religion, belief, ethnicity, or gender, and guaranteeing freedom of religion
● Release of prisoners of conscience and political prisoners
● Public participation in determining Iran’s political future; guaranteeing people’s rights to self-determination of their political status
Fard said: “Iranian Christians have endured years of persecution. Even while highlighting injustices against our community, we endured. However, we can no longer remain silent when persecution is being directed in the most brutal way toward the wider society. This is a defining moment in our nation’s history, and we are calling for historic change in Iran. The Iranian people deserve the world’s support.”