A US-based charity is appealing to the United Nations to intervene after India recently refused to grant refuge to six Afghan converts.
Barnabas Fund identified the converts as Rahimullah, Rita and their three children, another couple Mohammad, Aisha and their two children, and two sisters Shazia and Sunita.
They fled to India after converting from Islam to Christianity. However, they now face being deported back to Afghanistan where they could be arrested and sentenced to death for apostasy.
Barnabas is appealing to the UNHCR to intervene in their case and is urging other people to show their concern by writing to the organization in support of the applications for refugee status.
According to news reports, Rahimullah and Rita have submitted an appeal application to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees where they express their fears about returning home.
In the appeal, they wrote: “As we are converted and baptized Christians, we are deeply fearful for our lives. In the light of the situation in Afghanistan, we will be sentenced to death and executed by the government or we could be stoned and burned by the people.”
Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo, international director of Barnabas Fund, said: “The cases of these six dear brothers and sisters highlight the fact that Afghan converts to Christianity are safe neither inside nor outside the country. It is a disgrace that they have been denied refuge when their very lives depend on it.”
