Auvers-sur-Oise, France January 20, 2016 – Two prominent leaders of Christian churches in Britain, the Right Reverend John Pritchard, former Bishop of Oxford and the Right Reverend Adrian Newman, the Bishop of Stepney, have met with Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) at her residence in Auvers-sur-Oise, north of Paris, and discussed the events and recent developments in Iran and the region and the right policy approach by the British and US governments as well as the Europe Union. During the meeting, the British religious leaders were warmly welcomed by supporters of the Iranian Resistance.
In this meeting, the delegation of bishops presented Mrs. Rajavi with the statement by the Archbishop of Wales, Dr. Barry Morgan, which was signed and supported by 51 leaders of the British churches.
The statement condemns a rocket attack on Camp Liberty on 29 October 2015, and emphasizes that the United Nations, the United States and Europe must adhere to their international obligations and take specific steps to provide adequate protection and security for the residents.
The delegation of bishops pointed out that the human rights situation in Iran has deteriorated since Hassan Rouhani came to office as president two years ago, and the number of executions, including public hangings and executions of juveniles has increased. They demanded that the human rights situation in Iran, especially the repression of religious minorities, including Christians, should be at the centre of discussions during Rouhani’s forthcoming visit to Europe.