ICC Report: “Afghan Parliamentarian Calls for Execution of Christians”

ICC: “Taliban Ideals Alive and Well in the Parliament”

“Washington, D.C. (June 2, 2010) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that an Afghan parliamentary secretary called for the public execution of Christian converts on the parliament floor.”

“On Tuesday, the Associated Free Press reported that Abdul Sattar Khawasi, deputy secretary of the Afghan lower house in parliament, called for the execution of Christian converts from Islam.  Speaking in regards to a video broadcasted by Afghan television network Noorin TV showing footage of Christian men being baptized and praying in Farsi, Khawasi said, ‘Those Afghans that appeared in this video film should be executed in public, the house should order the attorney general and the NDS (intelligence agency) to arrest these Afghans and execute them.'”

“The broadcast triggered a protest by hundreds of Kabul University students on Monday, who shouted death threats and demanded the expulsion of Christian foreigners accused of proselytizing.  As a result, the operations of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and U.S.-based Church World Service (CWS) have been suspended over allegations of proselytizing.  The Afghan government is currently undertaking an intensive investigation into the matter.  According to Afghan law, proselytizing is illegal and conversion from Islam is punishable by death.”

“ICC sources within Afghanistan have reported that many national Christians are in hiding, fearful of execution.  Under government pressure during investigations, some Afghans have reportedly revealed names and locations of Christian converts.”