UN Rapporteur Highlights Ongoing Religious Freedom Concerns in Iran

Dr. Mai Sato, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, recently addressed the persistent challenges facing Christians within the country. In an interview with the advocacy group Article18, Sato noted that Iranian authorities have responded to only one of eight formal communications sent by UN experts regarding Christians since 2011. In that single response, the government characterized Christian converts as a threat to national security.

Sato highlighted the recent seizure of St. Peter’s Evangelical Church in Tehran and the frequent use of national security charges against members of house churches as primary areas of concern. While acknowledging that regional conflicts and domestic protests have often diverted international attention from the plight of Iranian Christians, she emphasized the importance of documenting these human rights issues.

Because the Iranian government does not recognize the legitimacy of her mandate, Sato is unable to conduct official visits to the country. Instead, she monitors the situation by engaging with the Iranian diaspora and submitting regular reports to the UN Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. Sato serves in an independent, unpaid capacity while maintaining her academic position at Birkbeck, University of London.