Religious persecution and issues – Monthly Digest November 2025
Christians
UN resolution highlights persecution of Christian converts in Iran
Article 18 (20.11.2025) – The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution expressing “serious concern” about “increasing” restrictions on the right to freedom of religion or belief in Iran.
The resolution, passed yesterday by 79 votes for to 28 against, with 63 abstentions, references “increased harassment, intimidation, persecution, arbitrary arrest and detention of, and incitement to hatred that can lead to violence against, persons belonging to recognized and unrecognized religious minorities, including Christians (particularly converts from Islam)”.
Christian rushed back to hospital after catching infection in Evin Prison
Article 18 (24.11.2025) – A Christian convert who had to undergo spinal surgery after falling out of her bunk bed in Evin Prison was rushed back to hospital earlier this month after catching an infection.
Aida Najaflou, 44, was operated on at the Shahid Tajrish Hospital in Tehran after suffering the injury on 31 October, but sent back to Evin Prison a week later.
However, on 16 November, Aida was rushed back to hospital after catching an infection in prison.
She was returned to Evin Prison again on Saturday 22 November, after another six days in hospital.
Background…..
Christian converts are among the Iranians being sent home from US
BBC – One Monday in mid-October, after a year in US immigration detention, officers arrived unannounced at Majid’s cell in Texas.
They told him simply to “pack up” – that he was being moved – even though an immigration judge had already granted him protection from removal five months ago. Shackled at the wrists, waist and ankles, he was driven through the night to a military airfield in Louisiana.
Majid – not his real name – had fled Iran for the US in October 2024, after repeated detentions and alleged torture, first because of his involvement in the Mahsa Amini protests, and later because of his conversion to Christianity.
Christians begin prison sentences on ‘national security’ charges
Article 18 (19.11.2025) – At least two Iranian Christian converts have submitted themselves to begin prison sentences on “national security” charges related to their involvement in a house-church.
Hossein Mohammadi, who is known as Daniel, and Zahra Gholami, known as Hannah, reported to their local sentence enforcement office in Malard, near Tehran, on Sunday, 16 November, after being summoned to begin their sentences.
It is not yet known where they will serve their sentences, but they were detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison following their initial arrests in December 2023, so it is presumed that they will have been transferred there.
Christian convert begins nine-year prison sentence after torture and unfair trial
Article 18 (04.11.2025) – One of five Christian converts sentenced to a combined total of over 40 years in Tehran’s Evin Prison on charges related to their religious activities has begun serving his sentence of nine and a half years.
Morteza Faghanpour-Saasi, 38, who is from the city of Varamin, south of Tehran, was one of seven Christian converts arrested in June 2024 in Varamin and the nearby city of Pishva, five of whom were brought to trial a year later at a Varamin Revolutionary Court.
The Christians were each sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for “propaganda activity contrary to Islamic law due to overseas connections” and seven months for “propaganda against the system”.
Baha’is
Historic resolution of the European Parliament champions Baha’i rights in Iran and condemns Islamic Republic persecution
Iran Press Watch (28.11.2025) – The European Parliament this week “strongly condemned” the Islamic Republic of Iran’s violations against the Baha’i religious minority, denouncing over 45 years of “systematic persecution,” and urging European officials to forward the Parliament’s concerns to the Iranian government.
The condemnation came through an unprecedented and historic urgency resolution—the Parliament’s newest standalone measure demonstrating its concern over the severity of the persecution facing the Baha’is. It was passed by 549 Members of European Parliament (MEPs) in an overwhelming display of cross-party unity.
UN condemns Iran Human Rights violations as Baha’i detentions continue
Iran Press Watch (28.11.2025) – The United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee unanimously adopted a resolution condemning systematic human rights violations in Iran.
It marks the latest resolution addressing religious persecution and civil rights abuses in the Islamic Republic.
The November 19 resolution, sponsored by more than 30 countries including the United States, Canada and European nations, specifically highlighted concerns about the treatment of religious minorities, particularly members of the Baha’i faith who face mass arrests, arbitrary detention and lengthy prison sentences based solely on their religious beliefs.
The resolution comes as Iranian authorities detained at least 20 Baha’i citizens in November alone and transferred 14 others to prison to begin serving sentences, according to reports from human rights organizations monitoring the situation.
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Appeals Court: Nahid Behroozi sentenced to imprisonment and additional penalties
Iran Press Watch (26.11.2025) – This verdict was recently issued by Branch 12 of the Alborz Appeals Court based on the charge attributed to her under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code, which concerns “deviant educational or propaganda activities contrary to or disruptive of the sacred religion of Islam.” According to the judge’s ruling, her initial five-year prison sentence issued in the lower court has been reduced to three years. Her additional penalties, ten years of deprivation of social rights and the confiscation of seized property, including electronic devices and her religious books, were upheld in full.
Paria Marandiz sentenced and imprisoned in Tehran
BIC (24.11.2025) – On 22 November 2025, Mrs. Paria Marandiz, a Baha’i residing in Tehran, was transported to Evin Prison to begin serving a two-year prison sentence.
Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court had earlier sentenced Mrs. Marandiz to three years in prison on baseless charges of “propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic during the 12-day war” and “propaganda activities in support of and aimed at strengthening the Israeli regime.” She was also given a two-year ban on Internet and social media activity.
Seven Baha’i citizens now imprisoned in Karaj following enforcement of sentences
Iran Press Watch (21.11.2025) – According to information received by HRANA, on November 16, these two Baha’i citizens were detained after appearing at the Enforcement Unit of the Karaj Revolutionary Court and were transferred to the Central Penitentiary of Karaj to begin serving their sentences.
In a separate report, HRANA had already announced the enforcement of the prison sentences for five other defendants in the same case: Naghmeh Mirza-Agha, Mahin Sa’adatmand, Mahshid Sefidi, Samar Masoudi, and Naser Rajab. Among them, Mr. Rajab was transferred to the Central Penitentiary of Karaj, while the four women were taken to Kachoui Prison. These citizens had been summoned to the Enforcement Unit of the Karaj Revolutionary Court in mid-Mehr for the execution of their sentences.
Leila Adalati, Baha’i citizen, arrested
Iran Press Watch (16.11.2025) – On Saturday, November 8, Leila Adalati (Bangaleh), a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, was arrested by intelligence agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and taken to an undisclosed location. At the same time, her home was searched by security agents.
Based on the information obtained by HRANA, Ms. Adalati was arrested at her private residence on Saturday, November 8, by IRGC intelligence agents. Her home was searched for more than four hours, during which a number of her personal belongings were confiscated.
So far, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for her arrest, the location of her detention, or the charges brought against her.
Farhad Fahandej arrested in Gorgan
BIC news (07.11.2025) – On Wednesday, 12 November 2025, Farhad Fahandej, a Baha’i living in Gorgan, was arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location. At the time of his arrest, eight agents searched his residence and confiscated a number of personal belongings, including books and photographs.
The agents only presented a search warrant to Mr. Fahandej, who was home alone at the time. His wife and children were later threatened and interrogated by the authorities when they returned home.
The reason for the arrest, his whereabouts, and the nature of any charges against him remain unknown. Farhad Fahandej, born in 1959 in Torbat Heydariyeh, has previously faced arrest and legal actions related to his religious beliefs.
Iranian security forces arrest Baha’i children’s rights activist in Tehran
Iran Press Watch (16.11.2025) – Iranian security forces arrested a Baha’i children’s rights activist on Tuesday after raiding his mother’s home in Tehran.
Afshin Heyratian, a member of the Society for Defending Street and Working Children, was taken to an unknown location following the arrest.
No information is currently available regarding the charges or the location of his detention.
Sources told IranWire that security agents conducted a thorough search of the residence and confiscated personal belongings from Heyratian and his mother before making the arrest.
