Help Save Iranian Christian Asylum-Seeker in Sweden from Deportation to Iran
Save Iranian Christian Asylum-Seeker in Sweden from Deportation to Iran
Save Iranian Christian Asylum-Seeker in Sweden from Deportation to Iran
An Iranian Christian convert from Islam – and, asylum-seeker – is now facing deportation from Sweden, even in spite of the fact that she faces a prison sentence as well as possible torture if she is returned to her home country.
Aideen Strandsson moved to Sweden from Iran in 2014. After her arrival to Sweden, Aideen – who has since adopted a Swedish surname – asked to be publicly baptised, because, while she had had a conversion of heart (to Christ) already sometime before 2014, she wanted to make it known to the world that Christ is now the centre of her life.
As she told the Christian Broadcasting Network: "I wanted to be baptised in public because I wanted say 'I am free,' 'I am a Christian,' and I wanted everyone to know about that."
In Sweden, there are many such converts from Islam to Christianity, but few converts do so publicly – for fear of reprisal by some in the Muslim community. And, of course, a public conversion makes it far more likely to be subject to punishment – including the death penalty – if returned to Iran.
Which makes Aideen’s case particularly vexing.
Indeed, Aideen’s application for asylum has now been rejected twice by Sweden’s Migration Board, even though such a rejection goes against their own stated principles, as well as the international treaties to which Sweden is party. In particular, the Geneva Convention expressly prohibits countries from deporting those seeking asylum should they face danger on their return.
And, as well as that, the Swedish Migration Agency's own website lists Iran as one of only 17 "Focus Countries" (please, see below), that is, countries requiring special attention, by their staff, in terms of asylum-seekers. This makes Aideen's case all the more incomprehensible.
This petition, therefore, calls on the head of the Swedish Migration Agency, Mr Mikael Ribbenvik, to request that his Agency again review Aideen's case in light of the above evidence.
Having been twice rejected by the Migration Agency, Aideen's case has now been referred to the border police. So, this is an URGENT matter!
For Sweden to now renege on the promise of protection from persecution for converts, like Aideen, is unconscionable.
Sweden invited such people to seek asylum into their country, with such a promise. The world is now watching to see if Sweden does the right thing and lives up to its word.
Thank you for signing this petition, now!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The Swedish Migration Agency's page on Iran (as a "focus" country - i.e., one of the few places which needs particular attention in terms of asylum): http://lifos.migrationsverket.se/fokuslander/fokus/2016-03-31-iran.html
The Swedish Migration Agency's page on "Focus Countries" (Iran is one of only 17 such focus countries.): http://lifos.migrationsverket.se/fokuslander.html
http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/july/disregarding-danger-sweden-to-deport-christian-to-iran
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Christian convert asylum-seekers face certain danger if deported to Iran
For the Kind Attention of:
- Acting Director General of the Swedish Migration Agency - Mr Mikael Ribbenvik
I have recently learned about the case of Christian convert from Islam - and, also, now, an asylum-seeker in Sweden - Aideen Strandsson.
As you know, Aideen has been in Sweden for three years, and during that time, she was baptised publicly - completing the process of conversion which began before leaving her native Iran.
Since then, Aideen applied for asylum in Sweden, counting on you, as a "human rights superpower", to protect her from possible persecution.
She applied for asylum because she faces almost certain danger if deported back to Iran, especially now that the whole world knows about her conversion to Christianity.
As you also know, such an action is not taken well or lightly in Iran, where punishments can vary from imprisonment to a sentence of death. It is also known that Christian converts also face torture and other types of brutal violation.
With these things in mind, we, the undersigned, urgently ask for the Swedish Migration Agency to again review Aideen's case - as it has now been referred to the border police.
There are an estimated 1,000 such Christian converts from Islam - just like Aideen - in Sweden right now. You invited them into your country, with a promise of protection from persecution.
The world is now watching to see if you live up to your word.
Christian convert asylum-seekers face certain danger if deported to Iran
For the Kind Attention of:
- Acting Director General of the Swedish Migration Agency - Mr Mikael Ribbenvik
I have recently learned about the case of Christian convert from Islam - and, also, now, an asylum-seeker in Sweden - Aideen Strandsson.
As you know, Aideen has been in Sweden for three years, and during that time, she was baptised publicly - completing the process of conversion which began before leaving her native Iran.
Since then, Aideen applied for asylum in Sweden, counting on you, as a "human rights superpower", to protect her from possible persecution.
She applied for asylum because she faces almost certain danger if deported back to Iran, especially now that the whole world knows about her conversion to Christianity.
As you also know, such an action is not taken well or lightly in Iran, where punishments can vary from imprisonment to a sentence of death. It is also known that Christian converts also face torture and other types of brutal violation.
With these things in mind, we, the undersigned, urgently ask for the Swedish Migration Agency to again review Aideen's case - as it has now been referred to the border police.
There are an estimated 1,000 such Christian converts from Islam - just like Aideen - in Sweden right now. You invited them into your country, with a promise of protection from persecution.
The world is now watching to see if you live up to your word.
