The wife of a Christian Boise pastor imprisoned in Iran spoke in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council Tuesday. Naghmeh Abedini traveled to Geneva to make her case for her husband’s release.
Saeed Abedini has been in prison since last September, and was sentenced for attempting to convert Iranians to Christianity.
Mrs. Abedini addressed the international governing body for the first time.
“This past week and today, this council has called on member states to recognize and uphold these fundamental freedoms," she said. "I hope my presence here today will put a face to those who suffer when a government does not uphold its obligation to protect these freedoms.”
She says her husband has been tortured during his nine months in prison. She says he has suffered internal bleeding, but hasn’t received medical treatment. Mrs. Abedini asked the U.N. to help bring the Boise pastor home.
In an online campaign, more than 600,000 people have petitioned for an international effort to push for Saeed Abedini’s release.
Copyright 2013 Boise State Public Radio
