Life or death

 

Iran is now reacting to international pressure – pressure that you are helping to create – to release Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who faces death by hanging because of his faith. The Iranian government has acknowledged your efforts to save this pastor’s life and has reacted by spreading lies about his conviction in an effort to silence the media attention he has received – lies that, through your support, we have been able to expose in the international media. Now, for the first time, the Iranian government is making a diplomatic statement directed at the international community. As to be expected: more lies. Iran is claiming that no verdict has been reached, despite the fact that the ACLJ has the actual documentation of the verdict from the Iranian Supreme Court. These documents make it clear that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been found guilty of leaving Islam and has been sentenced to death. Your voice is urgently needed to keep the media pressure on Iran and our diplomatic channels. If you haven’t already done so,please stand with Pastor Youcef as he takes a stand for his faith by signing the Petition to Secretary of State Clinton to Pressure Iran to Save a Christian Pastor. Last week almost no one knew about Pastor Youcef; no one knew that he faced death just for being a Christian; no one knew that he took a stand for his faith. The world is learning of his courage and his story now, and we hope there is still time to save his life. You are making a difference in this important fight. In just the last few days, over 60,000 of you have voiced your support for Pastor Youcef by signing our petition to Secretary of State Clinton. We are also going to send this petition to the United Nations. Will you make sure we reach 100,000 signatures by the end of this week? Your voice could help save Pastor Youcef’s life. If you have already signed this petition, please share it with your friends by forwarding this message and using the Facebook Like buttons in this email. Time is of the essence, as he could still be executed at any time. We must keep this immense international pressure on Iran to spare Pastor Youcef’s life by immediately and unconditionally releasing him. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the White House, and over a dozen Members of Congress and political leaders have taken a stand demanding that Pastor Youcef be released. None of this could have been possible without your efforts. Secretary of State Clinton has even voiced her “concern” about Pastor Youcef’s situation, but as the top U.S. diplomat she must call for his release. Demand Secretary of State Clinton to take action today. Our legal team remains in constant contact with Pastor Youcef’s attorney in Iran as this situation continues to develop. We are also working with the United Nations (U.N.), asking the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to intervene in this case and pressure Iran for Pastor Youcef’s release. Thus far, the U.N. and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have been silent about this ultimate human rights abuse – execution for one’s faith – in violation of international law and even Iran’s own constitution. It is more critical now than ever that we keep the pressure on Iran as they seek to deflect international attention from their gross disregard for human rights. I cannot express to you how critical your support has been to Pastor Youcef’s defense. Yours is the only voice that Pastor Youcef has, and it must be heard today. Please sign this petition to pressure Iran for his release today. Please share this petition with anyone you know, as it is absolutely critical that we have 100,000 signatures – 100,000 voices calling for Secretary of State Clinton and the U.N. to pressure Iran for Pastor Youcef’s release. Thank you for your support for Pastor Youcef, as we continue fighting to save his life. Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his attorney in Iran. Thank you, Jay Sekulow ACLJ Chief Counsel