Persecution intensifies...

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Persecution intensifies as former Baha'i leaders mark anniversary behind bars
Persecution intensifies as former Baha'i leaders mark anniversary behind bars - Bahá'í World News Service


GENEVA, 14 May 2012, (BWNS) – Iran's former Baha'i leaders begin their fifth year in prison today amid an intensification of the persecution of their co-religionists.

The seven prisoners each face the bleak prospect of 16 more years in jail for crimes they did not commit. Next week also marks the first anniversary of raids on homes of Baha'is associated with an informal initiative offering higher education to community members barred from university. Nine educators later received harsh prison sentences.

The detention and conviction of these and other Baha'is is a reflection of the oppression facing all Iranians who desire freedom and the progress of their country, said the Universal House of Justice in a letter dated 11 May 2012 sent to the Baha'is of Iran.

In its message, the Universal House of Justice noted how the intensifying cruelty towards the Iranian Baha'i community is now also engulfing children. Among recent attacks, the letter highlighted the confinement in prison for a few days of a two-year old boy with his mother, the beating and burning of the hand of a school pupil by her teacher after the girl did not take part in congregational prayers, and the violent abduction by officials of a mother before the eyes of her two young children.

"From schoolchildren to the elderly, from the seven former leaders to ordinary villagers, no Baha'i in Iran is spared the cruel and calculated persecution which the Iranian government and its agents are constantly devising," said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community's representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

The seven former leaders have been given the longest sentences – 20 years each – of any of the prisoners of conscience currently held in Iranian jails, Ms. Ala'i added. "Conditions are harsh with poor food and bad sanitation and most of them have experienced significant health problems. Yet during these four years, not one of them has been granted any type of furlough – something to which a prisoner is entitled under Iranian law."


Global support

The Universal House of Justice observed in its letter that, over the past year, governments and organizations have continued to defend the rights of Baha'is and other oppressed Iranians. Among such supporters, statesmen and officials – including some Muslim politicians in both the East and the West – civil agencies, universities and prominent personalities have declared the persecution of Baha'is to be unjust and have called for it to cease.

Recent action has included the unanimous passing of a resolution in the United States Senate – on 29 March – calling for the release of the seven former leaders. Three days later, the plight of the prisoners captured the public's attention in 12 of the world's major cities, when widespread publicity marked the combined total of 10,000 days that the seven had spent behind bars.

Fair-minded Iranians, including artists, are also defending the rights of their oppressed Baha'i compatriots and demanding their freedom, noted the Universal House of Justice.

"Blind prejudice and superstition pervades Iran today and irreparable damage has been done to the name and reputation of Islam," said Diane Ala'i. "We welcome and join with every effort made by people of good will – both in Iran and around the world – to condemn the extent and violence of the oppressions faced by the people of Iran."


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Persecution intensifies as former Baha'i leaders mark anniversary behind bars - Bahá'í World News Service

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Bahá'í World News Service - Bahá'í International Community

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On anniversary of arrests, Canadian MPs highlight Iran’s human rights violations
On anniversary of arrests, Canadian MPs highlight Iran


OTTAWA, Canada, 16 May 2012, (BWNS) – In a wide-ranging debate that took place on the fourth anniversary of the arrest of imprisoned Iranian Baha'i leaders, members of the Canadian Parliament voiced their grave concern about worsening violations of human rights in Iran.

Earlier on Monday 14 May, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs – John Baird – marked the anniversary by issuing a statement which said, "Iranian authorities continually undermine the right to freedom of religion by tolerating and even encouraging persecution of Baha'is, Christians and members of other minority religious communities. Freedom of religion is a universal human right."

"We urge Iran to uphold its international obligations and allow for freedom of religion, and to respect the fundamental rights of its people," said Minister Baird.

Read Minister Baird's statement here: <Canada Remains Concerned by Iran&rsquo;s Continued Persecution of Bahá&rsquo;ís and Other Religious Minorities>

Opening the debate in the House of Commons, Deepak Obhrai – Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs – said that Iran's refusal to respect human rights obligations is a "violation not just of universally recognized norms and standards but of those enshrined within its own constitution."

Mr. Obhrai and other speakers highlighted, among other things, the Iranian authorities' suppression of women's rights, attacks on journalists, artists, independent trade unionists, and civil society, and the persecution of minorities.

"With respect to religious minorities, Iran remains a dangerous place for members of numerous communities, including the Baha'i," said Mr. Obhrai, a Conservative MP from Alberta.

"For years, this peaceful community has been targeted by the Iranian authorities and subjected to discrimination and detention. Baha'i leaders have been arrested and imprisoned for practicing their faith.

"Iranian officials have also made statements to try to link the Baha'i to the political unrest in that country. These are trumped-up accusations and a cause of concern for the safety and well-being of those unjustly detained in Iran."

Irwin Cotler, a Liberal MP from Montreal, told the debate that the plight of Iran's Baha'is offers a looking glass into the situation of human rights in Iran in general, and the "criminalization of innocence."

"Simply put, the persecution and prosecution of these Baha'i is a case study of the systematic if not systemic character of Iranian injustice as a whole," said Mr. Cotler, "including arbitrary arrest and incommunicado detention, false and trumped-up charges."

Scott Reid, a Conservative from Ontario, added "Baha'is face what really amounts to a systematic effort to exterminate the religion," calling Iran's persecution of Baha'is "one of the great tragedies of modern times."

Welcoming the debate, Susanne Tamas – director of government relations for the Canadian Baha'i community – said it was significant that representatives from all of Canada's major parties spoke and were unanimous in expressing their concerns.

"The debate was very heartfelt and very much appreciated," said Ms. Tamas.

Read a full transcript of the debate here: <Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 123 (Official Version)>





To read the article online, access links, and view photographs:
On anniversary of arrests, Canadian MPs highlight Iran

For the Baha'i World News Service home page, go to:
Bahá'í World News Service - Bahá'í International Community