Sweden Denies Asylum to Christians Facing Persecution

A Callous Migration Board
CBN News asked the Swedish Migration Board if it understood the danger faced by Christian converts sent back to Iran. It said it did, making what Sweden is doing to these asylum seekers all the more damning, according to Donner.

It appears Sweden has closed its eyes. When Sjoberg told a Swedish Migration Board official that a family they deported was being tortured, the official said the family should call the police.

When Sjoberg explained that they were being tortured by the police, the official hung up.

“The history books will say something pretty nasty about Sweden’s policy in this matter in the future,” Donner said.

The Swedish Migration Board Responds
Magnus Rosenberg, senior legal advisor at the Swedish Migration Board, answered the following questions from CBN News.

1.What criteria are used to determine whether an Iranian Christian convert (former Muslim) is genuinely Christian or not?

Whether or not there is likely a genuine conversion is always based upon a thorough interview and thereafter a credibility assessment where everything in the case is taken into account. Certificates, e.g., regarding membership to a church or congregation is of course taken into account but does most often not per se prove that there is a genuine conversion. The interview should focus on issues regarding the applicant’s religious experiences in his or her country of origin or country of asylum, how he or she was able to express his or her beliefs, the character of the religious beliefs, how is or her worship is conducted and what thoughts and considerations the applicant had or made before taking the step to convert to Christianity — rather than a list of questions regarding theoretical facts about Christianity. Also, the interview should focus on issues regarding the personal values that the conversion adds to the applicant´s life and how he or she today engages him/herself in the religion.

Knowledge of the religion that an applicant may have converted into, might have a value in the credibility assessment, but must be carefully used. Not all converts have a deeper knowledge or details about the religion. However, most converts should have a basic knowledge about the religion he or she has converted into. Also, the requirements of knowledge about the religion should be higher regarding those who claim to be religious leaders or missionaries or have conducted some religious studies.

2. UN guidelines state that apostates from Iran need protection. Does the migration board agree that it is very dangerous for a Christian convert to return to Iran?

In general, yes. Every case is however carefully assessed on its individual merits and claims.

3. Does the migration board know that Iranian Christians detained in Iranian prisons have been tortured or killed?

The Swedish Migrations Board has very good knowledge of the country of origin information stating the most problematic situation in Iran regarding Christian converts.

4. Does the migration board recognize that Christian converts sent back to Iran also face extra-judicial violence or death at the hands of family members or neighbors?

We are well aware of the problems Christian converts in Iran might face on return, not only in relation to the Iranian authorities but also in relation to the family and the community.

5. Does the migration board agree that since Muslims returned to Iran from Sweden will not face prison, torture or death based solely on their religious faith, so Christian converts, who do face grave jeopardy if returned to Iran because they are apostates, should be given special consideration for asylum?

In general, yes. Every asylum application is however carefully assessed to establish if there is an individual risk on return.

6. Does the migration board agree that Iranian embassy personnel attempt to document Iranian Christians in Sweden through photos, videos and questioning?

The Swedish Migrations Board is very well aware of the reports stating that the Iranian authorities are closely monitoring asylum applicants in the West.

7. If a Christian convert from a Muslim nation like Iran shares their faith publicly on the Internet or on YouTube, thus putting their life at risk if they return to Iran, shouldn’t this be a strong factor in their request for asylum?

This is definitely a factor that must be taken into account when assessing the asylum claims and the individual risk on return.