Iranian Refugee Case Could Test Religious Freedom Laws, Experts Say

ABC: A group of Iranian asylum seekers whose claims for protection have been rejected are appealing against the decision in the Federal Court, in what constitutional experts say could test Australia's protection of religious freedom.

The ABC understands the seven asylum seekers have all converted from Islam to Christianity and fear persecution if they return to Iran.

Human rights lawyer David Manne, who heads the Refugee and Immigration Law Society said in Iran, said apostasy - which is defined as the deliberate abandonment of Islam by a Muslim - is punishable by death.

"The evidence is crystal clear that [such] conversions to Christianity can result in serious human rights abuses, including execution," he said.

"Although the criminal code doesn't proscribe apostasy, they draw upon Islamic law to impose it.

"It's considered to be an offence against sharia law, which is punishable by death." » | Stephanie Dalzell | Thursday, May 28, 2015