Christian activists denounce Iran’s brutal repression as Armenians, Chaldeans, and converts face deadly force in nationwide protests.
Newsroom (21/01/2026 Gaudium Press) In recent weeks, the streets of Iran have been marked by bloodshed and repression. Activists from Article18, a group documenting violations against religious freedom in the Islamic Republic, report that among the thousands killed or detained in nationwide protests are several members of the Christian community. These demonstrations, demanding democratic change and an end to economic hardship, have drawn support from Iranians of all backgrounds—including Christians, both from recognized and unrecognized denominations.
According to local sources cited by Article18, seven Iranian Armenians are among the victims, one of whom has been identified as Ejmin Masihi. At least three others have been wounded, and one remains under arrest. While the Iranian authorities report around 2,400 dead, activist groups claim the true death toll exceeds 12,000. The scale of the violence has stunned international observers, who note that the regime appears to have regained control—for now—through sheer force.
The participation of Christians in these protests is neither new nor unexpected. Members of both recognized communities such as the Armenians and Chaldeans, and unrecognized groups made up primarily of converts from Islam, have long been active in Iran’s civil movements. In 2019, a Chaldean Christian was among over 300 people killed during protests over fuel prices. Later, in 2022 and 2023, young Chaldeans again joined the “Life, Woman, Freedom” movement sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, when more than 500 Iranians lost their lives.
Today’s unrest follows a similar pattern—mass mobilization, government brutality, and a near-total information blackout. “The demonstrators were met with brutal violence, including attacks on the wounded in hospitals,” Article18’s open letter declares. “Following an almost total internet shutdown, reports of a massacre began to circulate, with reliable sources indicating that thousands, including children, may have been killed.”
That open letter, released by Christian activists, goes further than previous statements, addressing both moral and political responsibility. “Citizens of Iran, particularly children and young people, ask for nothing more than respect for their fundamental human rights,” it reads. “They are instead subjected to the most extreme and brutal forms of state violence.” The letter urges Christians and “people of conscience” worldwide to pressure their governments into holding Iranian authorities accountable for crimes against humanity.
The activists argue that the Islamic Republic has lost its legitimacy through systemic repression and mass killings. They call on Western nations to withdraw their ambassadors, ending business as usual with Tehran. The document insists that no form of impunity can be tolerated for those responsible for the bloodshed. “There can be no return to ‘normality’ with this regime,” the activists warn.
Beyond Iran’s borders, the letter underscores how Tehran’s political reach amplifies instability throughout the region—from Lebanon and Iraq to Syria, Yemen, and Palestine. “This destabilising role must be addressed and brought to an end,” it says, calling for urgent resolutions at both EU and UN levels. The activists believe that the fall of Iran’s current leadership could mark not only a turning point for the country but also a potential boon for regional peace and global stability.
In a clear appeal for solidarity, Article18 and allied voices urge the international community, churches, and humanitarian organizations to move beyond symbolic gestures. “What is happening in Iran today is not an internal political dispute,” the letter concludes. “It is a continuous attack on human dignity, life, and fundamental rights.”
For the Christians mourning their dead in Iran’s restive cities, this is more than a political crisis—it is a moral reckoning. As calm temporarily returns to the streets, the call for accountability grows louder, carried by believers and activists who refuse to let silence bury the names of those lost.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Zenit News
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