Once again Sweden is planning to deport a convert to Afghanistan

This is one press release that we wish we didn't have to write. Once again Sweden is planning to deport a convert to Afghanistan. Nasir is his name and he came alone to Sweden 6 years ago. He will be deported to Kabul, Afghanistan against his will on Tuesday the 1st of August.

Nasir converted to Christianity the same year he arrived in Sweden and has lived openly as a Christian, actively participating in church activities since then. He has received daily threats by phone and on Facebook because of his faith. He has also received several death threats. He will be deported even though he has a home, a girlfriend, step children, friends, a job as a mechanic, a great social network, and his church community. He is also now engaged to be married.

The Swedish Migration Agency doesn't consider Nasir to be genuinely Christian despite his documentation as being baptized and confirmed, his testimony and the testimony of his friends, statements from his bishop, pictures from his Facebook pages and certificates that he has baptized others. 

The Swedish Migration Agency does not either recognize the threat of danger even though they have seen the threatening letters received from the Taliban by Nasir's mother, as well as the threats posted on Facebook.

We wish we didn't need to remind the Swedish Migration Agency of the following:

Afghanistan is a country where it is extremely dangerous to live as a Christian and a person who has converted risks torture, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment if he or she openly shows his or her faith. Since Sweden is in any case deporting converts by force we would like to point out that Sweden is thereby violating the European Convention on Human Rights article 3 and article 9:

ARTICLE 3

Prohibition of torture

No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

ARTICLE 9

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance. 

The Swedish Migration Agency continues to insist that a Christian can live in Afghanistan if he or she does not openly express their faith. This is not only a travesty of justice but also a violation of the the principles of our basic universal rights.

Nasir would like to share his story with the media. If you would like more information please contact Mira +46738914812 or mira.bjorkegren@gmail.com