The Daily Telegraph has published an insightful article about a bill introduced in Iran, the Islamic Penal Code. This bill, which has already been passed once, turns apostasy – a crime already punishable by death under Sharia Law – into a state crime. If this bill were to be signed into law by the president then men would face the death sentence, and women life imprisonment, for turning from one religion to another.
So why hasn’t anyone caught on to this? I mean, freedom of religion is enshrined by article 2 of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. So shouldn’t there be international outcry?
If passed, this bill would even amend the freedom of religion “guaranteed” by Iran’s constitution. Article 23 says this:
“The investigation of individuals’ beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief.”
But nothing will be done. The world’s press has it’s attention elsewhere, intentionally or otherwise. With a US election in a couple of weeks I wonder how many unjust acts will be committed around the world as we absently look away. Will justice be put on hold, will we hold ourselves to account? Now, more than ever, we need to realise what is happening in our world and apportion our attention accordingly.
