Aderholt Sponsors Resolution Condemning Iran and Calling for Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani's Immediate Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 2012
CONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876
Aderholt Sponsors Resolution Condemning Iran and Calling for Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani’s Immediate Release
Christian Iranian Pastor to be Executed for Religious Beliefs
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today joined colleagues in sponsoring H. Res. 556, a resolution in the United States House of Representatives condemning the Government of Iran for its continued persecution, imprisonment and sentencing of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani on the charge of apostasy, because of his faith in Christ.
“Religious freedom is one of the most important and fundamental rights a person in this world should have,” said Aderholt. “The continued persecution, imprisonment and sentencing of Iranian Christian Pastor, Youcef Nadarkhani because of his faith in Christ is atrocious and violates basic human rights and Iran’s international commitments. No Christian or person of faith should be persecuted, discriminated against or face death because of their faith.”
“Last fall my colleagues and I sent a letter to Iranian Grand Ayatollah Khamenei on behalf of Pastor Nadarkhani expressing our support for his immediate release. I am disappointed there has been no action taken and recent reports have indicated the Iranian Government is increasingly likely to execute Pastor Nadarkhani in the near future. Due to this inaction and disconcerting turn in events, Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16) has offered this resolution to express our deep concern for this and calls for Pastor Nadarkhani’s immediate release.”
“I hope and pray that Iran’s leaders overturn this horrible conviction and immediately releases Pastor Nadarkhani so that he can be reunited with his wife and their two young boys. Religious intolerance cannot and should not be accepted and I will continue to support Pastor Nadarkhani and those like him who risk their lives every day for a freedom that so many of us take for granted—the freedom to practice of their faith.”
Aderholt currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is a member of the Committee’s Commerce, Justice and Science; and Agriculture Subcommittees, and also serves on the Helsinki Commission.
For more information about Aderholt’s work in Congress visit www.aderholt.house.gov.