Joint Statement by 30 Religious Leaders
A group of 30 bishops and senior religious leaders from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States has issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to what they describe as a wave of political executions in Iran.
The statement also expresses support for the rights of religious minorities and backs the upcoming Paris Free Iran rally scheduled for June 20.
🚨 Iran: 30 Religious Leaders Call for End to Political Executions
In a joint statement, 30 bishops and religious leaders from around the world called for an end to the wave of political executions in Iran, expressed support for the rights of religious minorities, and backed the… pic.twitter.com/u8UXqa6xGl
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Rowan Williams Warns of Rising Violence
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said that violence by the Iranian authorities is steadily escalating.
He said he has received testimonies from inside Iranian prisons describing brutality against detainees, as well as their courage and resilience. He added that remaining silent in such circumstances is not acceptable.
Claims of Escalating Repression in Iran
The signatories said Iranian authorities are exploiting a wartime atmosphere as a pretext to intensify repression and silence dissent.
According to the statement, dozens of individuals have been executed following unfair trials and forced confessions.
Executions and Alleged Political Targeting
The statement said many of those executed were allegedly linked to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
It added that a large number of prisoners remain on death row, while others killed were mainly young people arrested during the January uprising.
Religious Minorities Under Pressure
The signatories highlighted ongoing pressure on religious minorities in Iran, particularly Christians.
They cited arrests, restrictions, and long-standing persecution of clergy and converts.
The statement also referred to UN General Assembly resolutions in December 2025 and a June 2025 report by the UN Secretary-General documenting cases of detention of Christians.
Call for Paris Rally on June 20
The statement calls for a large public gathering in Paris on June 20 to draw global attention to executions and restrictions on minorities.
It also aims to support broader human rights in Iran.
Participants are expected to express support for a democratic republic in Iran based on the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The statement concludes with a call for international solidarity with people in Iran and support for the objectives of the Paris rally.
Signatories
Signatories include former archbishops, bishops, and senior religious figures from multiple countries.
Among them are Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury), Cherry Vann (Archbishop of Wales and Monmouth), Wolfgang Huber (former bishop and former chair of the Evangelical Church in Germany), Margot Käßmann (former bishop of Hanover), and other clergy from the UK, US, Germany, and Norway.
