The annual International Religious Freedom report points to the deteriorating situation of followers of various religions in Iran, adding, “Imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on religious beliefs” still continues by the regime.
It added that almost all “minorities suffered varying degrees of officially sanctioned discrimination, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and housing.”
Although Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians are recognized as religious minorities in Iran, in practice they face “substantial societal discrimination,” according to the report.
“The U.S. government makes clear its strong objections to the government’s harsh and oppressive treatment of religious minorities … Every year since 1999, the U.S. Secretary of State has designated the country a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act for its particularly egregious violations of religious freedom.”
“In February 2010 the United States and the European Union condemned ongoing human rights violations in Iran and called on the Iranian government to fulfill its international human rights obligations,” the report added.