Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Will the House send a request to the Iranian Government to show leniency in the case of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani. He is an Iranian Christian pastor who has been sentenced to death in Tehran for converting from Islam to Christianity. On all human rights issues this House should take a particular stand. I will send the Leader the details of this particular case and I hope he will make a case through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Iranian Government to show proper leniency in this case. It has already offered leniency if Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani recants his Christianity and reconvert to Islam. Imagine if we had the same approach here to a Christian who converted to Islam. This case is inhuman.

It highlights the disadvantage of closing our embassy in Teheran. It has meant we have lost influence in these countries to protect human rights. This House could do a great service to Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani who is languishing in a prison for his right to be a Christian. As Christians, we should defend his right to become and remain a Christian.