Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Catherine Ashton over proces tegen Iraanse pastoor Nadarkhani (en)
Met dank overgenomen van Raad van de Europese Unie (Raad) i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 30 september 2011.
EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 29 September 2011
Statement by the EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on the trial of pastor Nadarkhani in Iran
Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:
"I am extremely concerned about reports on the resumption of the trial against the Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani inRasht, Gilan province.
Mr Nadarkhani faces the death penalty for 'apostasy' if he does not reject his Christian faith. I urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to respect its international human rights commitments, including on freedom of religion or belief and strongly appeal to Iran not to sentence Pastor Nadarkhani to death. I call for Mr Nadarkhani's immediate and unconditional release."