SZ and JM (Christians - FS Confirmed) Iran v. Secretary of State for the Home Department

SZ and JM (Christians - FS Confirmed) Iran v. Secretary of State for the Home Department

Comments:
Conditions for Christians in Iran have not deteriorated sufficiently to necessitate a change in the guidance in FS and Others (Iran - Christian Converts) Iran CG [2004] UKIAT 00303 Iran. For some converts to sacrament-based churches the conditions may be such that they could not reasonably be expected to return and their cases must be considered on HJ (Homosexuality: Reasonably Tolerating Living Discreetly) Iran [2008] UKAIT 00044 grounds.
It remains to be seen whether the proposed inclusion of apostasy in the amended criminal code will make a material difference. The amendments to the code are part of a wholesale change in the criminal law and not solely aimed at converts. The proposals are still before Parliament.
'Proselytising' and 'evangelising' are not terms of art and distinctions should not be drawn between them.
Insofar as related to non-ethnic Christians, this decision is replaced by the country guidance decision in PS (Christianity - risk) Iran CG [2020] UKUT 00046 (IAC).

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