CAT/C/60/D/662/2015 his arrival in Switzerland and the denial of his application for asylum. Before that, he attended Sunday school in the Islamic Republic of Iran, since, even as a child, he was drawn to Christianity. At his hearings, he explained that he converted because he believes in the New Testament and in a merciful God who is forgiving. Moreover, he practises his religion by talking to other people rather than spending any great deal of time reading the Bible at home. During the hearings, he was very nervous, and understandably so, given what was at stake and the fact that the Swiss authorities subjected him to what amounted to a religious examination. His contact with the Christian religion has taken place in English, Italian and German, which is why he is not familiar with some religious expressions in Persian. In addition, few Christians in Switzerland are able to describe the structure of the Bible, list the Ten Commandments or name the four Evangelists, even if they attend church regularly. Above all, the Iranian authorities would focus on the fact that the complainant was baptized in India, that he lived with a Christian woman (who, according to the Iranian authorities, should have converted in order to marry a Muslim), that he has three daughters who are being raised as Christians, that he champions his religion on his website and that he shares his faith with other people. They would regard these facts as proof of his conversion rather than caring whether or not he can quote the Bible. 5.6 Finally, when the complainant applied for a passport at the Iranian embassy in Switzerland, he already had a residence permit, since he lived with a Swiss woman and his Swiss children. It is easy for an Iranian who has a residence permit to obtain a passport because the embassy does not ask any questions about a person’s political views or religion. The embassy questions people closely and examines their file in detail only if the person does not have any permit at all, has the type of permit issued to asylum seekers or has a temporary entry visa. 5.7 The complainant states that, contrary to what the State party believes, it is highly probable that his activities on his website have been noticed by the Iranian authorities, even though he does not hold a senior position in a political party. In that connection, he refers to a news story concerning the fact that the Iranian Government has set up a police unit that specializes in Internet surveillance. In its observations, the State party failed to mention the complainant’s website, where he has posted his own curriculum vitae and where he regularly comments on the problems faced by Christians and converts in the Islamic Republic of Iran. 5.8 The complainant’s political activities should be viewed in the light of his conversion. It is highly probable that the Iranian authorities have found his website using a simple keyword search and have become aware of his religious and political affiliations. Because of his decades-long absence from the Islamic Republic of Iran, his political activities, his conversion to Christianity, the fact that his family is viewed as being part of the opposition and the fact that he has had three children out of wedlock with a Christian, the Iranian authorities will certainly arrest him upon his return, interrogate him and place him in custody. Since, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the physical and psychological torture of members of the opposition is systematically used to obtain confessions,33 the complainant runs a real and personal risk of being subjected to torture. Issues and proceedings before the Committee Consideration of admissibility 6.1 Before considering any claim contained in a complaint, the Committee must decide whether or not it is admissible under article 22 of the Convention. The Committee has ascertained, as it is required to do under article 22 (5) (a) of the Convention, that the same matter has not been and is not being examined under another procedure of international investigation or settlement. 6.2 The Committee recalls that, in accordance with article 22 (5) (b) of the Convention, it shall not consider any communication from an individual unless it has ascertained that the 33 GE.17-12101 See communications Azizi v. Switzerland, para. 8.5; Tahmuresi v. Switzerland, para. 7.5; and X v. Switzerland, para. 7.5. 9

Select target paragraph3