Iran, Middle East
Population: 65,397,521
Christians: 1-2%
Dominant Religion: Shia Islam
Persecution Ranking: 2nd
Political Leader: President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Religious Freedom in Constitution: No
Iran has a unique and complex political structure. The directly elected President is not the head of state. The elected parliament may enact legislation. However, all legislation is reviewed by the Council of Guardians who can and do veto anything which they consider inconsistent with Shia Islam. Their actions have prevented a reformist President and Parliament from implementing their desired reform process. Widespread discontent with this system led to a very low voter turnout in the parliamentary elections of May 2004 and resulted in the conservatives recapturing control of parliament in 2004 and the presidency in June 2005.Traditional Assyrian and Armenian Christians who worship in minority languages experience little interference from authorities. Many of these Christians emigrate for economic reasons. However, the same leniency is not given to those who worship in the Farsi (or Persian) language, nor for the growing number of people born as Muslims who have chosen to follow Christ. Many are harassed by their families; some are arrested and imprisoned for their faith. Those who become leaders are especially vulnerable to such treatment.
