10/17/2020 (International Christian Concern) – An open letter from dozens of Iranian lawyers and civil activists addressed to the head of the Judiciary, Ebrahim Raisi, asks for the annulment of a verdict that would separate a young child from her adopted Christian parents.
Sam Khosravi and Maryam Falahi were arrested following a raid of their house in the Persian Gulf city of Bushehr. Sam was sentenced to a year in prison followed by two years of internal exile. Maryam was fined 8 million tomans. Both were given work restrictions. The custody hearing followed these events. The judge appeared reluctant to order the return of their daughter Lydia to an orphanage, but likely faced pressure from the Revolutionary Guard.
The open letter reminds the judiciary that there is no constitutional reference about religion when discussing who is eligible to adopt a child. Iran is also a signatory to the international Convention on the Rights of the Child. Lydia also has a serious heart condition, which would place her at risk should the authorities proceed with family separation.
