A/HRC/7/10/Add.1 page 30 115. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur would like to reiterate (see A/HRC/6/5, para. 19) that no religious group should be empowered to decide about the registration or ban of another religious group. Islamic Republic of Iran Urgent appeal sent on 20 December 2006 jointly with the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention 116. The Special Rapporteurs brought to the attention of the Government information they had received regarding Ms. Shirin Sadeg Khanjani, residing in Tehran, and her father Mr. Shahin Taghizadeh, City of Rasht, Mr. Behrooz Sadeg Khanjani, Tehran, and his father Mr. Yoosuf Noorkhani, Mr. Hamid Reza Tolooinia, Tehran, and his father Mr. Parviz Khalajzamani, City of Rasht, Mr. Bahman Irani, Karaj County, Province of Tehran, Mr. Behnam Irani, Karaj County, Mr. Mohammad Baliad, City of Rasht, Mr. Payman Salarvand, City of Rasht, and Mr. Sohrab Sayadi, City of Rasht, all Iranian nationals and of Christian belief. 117. According to the allegations received, on 10 December 2006, they were arrested by officers of the internal security forces in Tehran, Karaj County, and the City of Rasht, together with Mr. Mathias Hagnejad, Mr. Davood and Mr. Amin, who have since been released. The arrests were made to prevent them from engaging in religious ceremonies for Christmas. Security officers also searched the homes of the persons concerned and seized books, CDs and photographs. Following their arrests, family and friends gathered peacefully in front of the prison, in which the above named persons have been detained. Their request for release was met with excessive force by both inland security forces and police officers. Furthermore, according to the allegations received, Iranian inland security forces have also pressured members belonging to religious minorities to return their identification documents to the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security. Response from the Government dated 4 April 2007 118. The Government maintained that the individuals mentioned in the urgent appeal had established illegal gatherings according to the current regulations in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Their detention was based on their illegal activities and has nothing to do with their participation in Christmas Ceremonies. They have all produced letters confirming their illegal activities and have been subsequently released. 119. The Government also wished to draw the Special Rapporteur’s attention to the opinion expressed by the Council of Assemblies of God Churches, which is a recognized association of Christians in Iran. That Council has dissociated itself from the activities of this group and their association to the Iranian Christians has been denied by the latter.