11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Non-Muslim minorities: Iranian government severely restricts freedom of religion in practice ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23030]

"The constitution states that the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism." The constitution also states that "other Islamic denominations are to be accorded full respect" and recognizes the country's pre-Islamic religions--Zoroastrians, Christians, and Jews--as "protected" religious minorities. Article 4 of the constitution states that all laws and regulations must be based on Islamic criteria. The government severely restricted freedom of religion in practice, particularly the Baha'i faith.

The central feature of the country's Islamic system was rule by the "religious jurisconsult." Its senior leadership consisted principally of Shi'a clerics, including the supreme leader of the revolution, the head of the judiciary, and members of the Assembly of Experts and the Guardian Council.

[…]The population is approximately 98 percent Muslim; 89 percent of the population is Shi'a, and 9 percent is Sunni. Baha'i, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Jewish communities constitute approximately 2 percent of the population. There were indications that members of all religious minorities were emigrating at a high rate, although it was unclear if the reasons for emigration were religious or related to overall poor economic conditions. The government carefully monitored the statements and views of the country's senior Muslim religious leaders. […]

Sunni Muslims are the largest religious minority, and the constitution provides them a large degree of religious freedom. Sunni Muslims claimed the government discriminated against them, although it was hard to distinguish whether the cause for discrimination was religious or ethnic since most Sunnis are also ethnic minorities, primarily Arabs, Baluchis, and Kurds.

[…] Members of the country's non-Muslim religious minorities, particularly Baha'is, reported imprisonment, harassment, and intimidation based on their religious beliefs. […] Religious minorities were barred from election to a representative body, except for the five Majles seats reserved for recognized religious minorities (two for the Armenian Christians, and one each for the Assyrian Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians), and from holding senior government or military positions, but they were allowed to vote. […]

The legal system previously discriminated against recognized religious minorities in relation to blood money; however, in 2004 the Expediency Council authorized collection of equal blood money for the death of Muslim and non-Muslim men. All women and Baha'i and Sabean-Mandean men remained excluded from the revised ruling. According to the law, Baha'i blood is considered mobah, meaning it can be spilled with impunity. […] Inheritance laws favored Muslim family members over non-Muslims."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Government has created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shi'a religious groups, most notably for Baha’is, as well as Sufi Muslims, evangelical Christians, and Jews ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21122]

"The Constitution states that the official religion of Iran is Islam, and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'afari (Twelver) Shi'ism. Article 4 of the Constitution states that all laws and regulations must be based on Islamic criteria. The Government severely restricts freedom of religion.

There was continued deterioration of the extremely poor status of respect for religious freedom during the reporting period. Government rhetoric and actions created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shi'a religious groups, most notably for Bahá'ís, as well as Sufi Muslims, evangelical Christians, and members of the Jewish community.

Reports of government imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on religious beliefs continued during the reporting period. Bahá'í religious groups often reported arbitrary arrests, expulsions from universities, and confiscation of property. Government-controlled media, including broadcast and print, intensified negative campaigns against religious minorities--particularly the Bahá'ís--during the reporting period.

Although the Constitution gives Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians the status of "protected" religious minorities, in practice non-Shi'a Muslims face substantial societal discrimination, and government actions continued to support elements of society who create a threatening atmosphere for some religious minorities."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The religious demography in Iran: Official and unofficial data ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21123]

"The country has an area of 631,000 square miles, and according to the Government's 2006 census, a population of 70 million. The population is 98 percent Muslim; 89 percent is Shi'a and 9 percent Sunni (mostly Turkmen and Arabs, Baluchs, and Kurds living in the southwest, southeast, and northwest respectively). Non-Muslims account for 2 percent of the population. There are no official statistics available on the size of the Sufi Muslim population; however, some reports estimate between two and five million people practice Sufism.

Recent unofficial estimates from religious organizations claim that Bahá'ís, Jews, Christians, Sabean-Mandaeans, and Zoroastrians constitute 2 percent of the total population.

The largest non-Muslim minority is the Bahá'í religious group, which numbers 300,000 to 350,000. Unofficial estimates of the size of the Jewish community vary from 25,000 to 30,000.

According to U.N. figures, 300,000 Christians live in the country, the majority of whom are ethnic Armenians. There are Protestant denominations, including evangelical religious groups. Christian groups outside the country estimate the size of the Protestant Christian community to be less than 10,000, although many Protestant Christians reportedly practice in secret.

Unofficial estimates for the Assyrian Christian population are between 10,000 and 20,000.

Sabean-Mandaeans number 5,000 to 10,000 persons. The Government regards the Sabean-Mandaeans as Christians, and they are included among the three recognized religious minorities; however, Sabean-Mandaeans do not regard themselves as Christians. There are indications that members of all religious minorities are emigrating at a high rate, although it is unclear if the reasons for emigration are religious or related to overall poor economic conditions.

The Government estimates there are 30,000 to 35,000 Zoroastrians, a primarily ethnic Persian minority; however, Zoroastrian groups claim to have 60,000 adherents."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Islam is the official religion of Iran: Political and juridical implications for religious minorities ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21185]

"The Constitution declares the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'afari (Twelver) Shi'ism." All laws and regulations must be consistent with the official interpretation of Shari'a (Islamic law). The Government severely restricts freedom of religion. The Constitution states that "within the limits of the law," Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians are the only recognized religious minorities who are guaranteed freedom to practice their religion; however, members of these recognized minority religious groups have reported government imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on their religious beliefs. [...]

The Government does not respect the right of Muslim citizens to change or renounce their religious faith. Non-Muslims may not engage in public religious expression and persuasion among Muslims, and there are restrictions on published religious material.

A child born to a Muslim father automatically is considered a Muslim. [...]

Members of religious minorities, excluding Sunni Muslims, are prevented from serving in the judiciary and security services and from becoming public school principals. Applicants for public sector employment are screened for their adherence to and knowledge of Islam, although members of religious minorities could serve in lower ranks of government employment, with the exception of Bahá'ís. Government workers who do not observe Islam's principles and rules are subject to penalties. [...]
"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Religious minorities are not allowed to be elected to a representative body or to hold senior government or military positions, with the exception that 5 seats in the Majlis (parliament) seats in the Majlis are reserved for religious minorities ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21189]

"By law, religious minorities are not allowed to be elected to a representative body or to hold senior government or military positions, with the exception that 5 of a total 290 seats in the Majlis are reserved for religious minorities.

Three of these seats are reserved for members of Christian religious groups, including two seats for the country's Armenian Christians, and one for Assyrian Christians. There is also one seat to represent Jewish Iranians, and one to represent Iranian Zoroastrians.

While Sunnis do not have reserved seats in the Majlis, they are allowed to serve in the body. Sunni Majlis deputies tend to be elected from among the larger Sunni communities. Members of religious minorities are allowed to vote; however, all minority religious groups, including Sunni Muslims, are barred from being elected president."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The legal system discriminates against religious minorities ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21190]

"The legal system discriminates against religious minorities. Article 297 of the amended 1991 Islamic Punishments Act authorizes collection of equal "blood money" (diyeh) as restitution to the families for the death of both Muslims and non-Muslims. Prior to the 2004 change, the law gave a lesser monetary amount as "blood money" for non-Muslims than for Muslims.

[...Bahá'í and Sabean-Mandaean men] are excluded from the equalization provisions of the bill.

[...] According to law, Bahá'í blood is considered mobah, meaning it can be spilled with impunity.
"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Non-Shia religious minorities suffer restrictions on religious freedom ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21218]

"Government policy and practice contributed to severe restrictions on religious freedom. All non-Shi'a religious minorities suffer varying degrees of officially sanctioned discrimination, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and housing.

The Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance (Ershad) and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) monitor religious activity closely. Members of recognized religious minorities are not required to register with the Government, and religion is not noted on national identity cards; however, their communal, religious, and cultural events and organizations, including schools, are monitored closely. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Government allows recognised religious minorities to conduct religious education in separate schools, although there are restrictions in some cases ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21221]

"The Government generally allowed recognized religious minorities to conduct religious education for their adherents in separate schools, although it restricted this right considerably in some cases. The Ministry of Education, which imposed certain curriculum requirements, supervised these schools. With few exceptions, the directors of such private schools must be Muslim.

Attandance at the schools was not mandatory for recognized religious minorities. The Ministry of Education must approve all textbooks used in coursework, including religious texts. Recognized religious minorities could provide religious instruction in non-Persian languages, but such texts required approval by the authorities. This approval requirement sometimes imposed significant translation expenses on minority communities."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Religious Demography ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17541]

"The country has an area of approximately 631,660 square miles, and its population was an estimated 69 million. The population was approximately 98 percent Muslim, of which an estimated 89 percent were Shi'a and 8 percent were Sunni, mostly Turkmen, Arabs, Baluchs, and Kurds living in the southwest, southeast, and northwest. Although there are no official statistics of the size of the Sufi Muslim population, some reports estimated between two to five million people practice Sufism compared to approximately 100,000 before 1979. According to the country's most recent official national census, taken in 1996, there were an estimated 59.8 million Muslims, 30,000 Zoroastrians, 79,000 Christians, and 13,000 Jews, with 28,000 "others" and 47,000 "not stated." Recent unofficial estimates provide larger numbers for non-Muslim minority groups. Baha'is, Jews, Christians, Mandaeans, and Zoroastrians constitute approximately five percent of the population combined. The largest non-Muslim minority was the Baha'i community, which had an estimated 300,000 to 350,000 adherents throughout the country. Credible estimates on the size of the Jewish community vary from 25,000 to 30,000. This figure represents a substantial reduction from the estimated 75,000 to 80,000 Jews who resided in the country prior to the 1979 Islamic revolution. According to U.N. figures, there were approximately 300,000 Christians, the majority of whom are ethnic Armenians. Unofficial estimates indicated an Assyrian Christian population of approximately 10,000. There also were Protestant denominations, including evangelical churches. The Mandaean Sabaeans, a community whose religion draws on pre-Christian gnostic beliefs, numbered approximately 5,000 to 10,000 persons, with members residing primarily in Khuzestan in the southwest. There were indications that members of all religious minorities are emigrating at a higher rate. The Government estimated the Zoroastrian population had approximately 30,000 to 35,000 adherents; however, Zoroastrian groups claim an estimated 60,000 adherents. Zoroastrians mainly were ethnic Persians concentrated in the cities of Tehran, Kerman, and Yazd. Zoroastrianism was the official religion of the pre-Islamic Sassanid Empire and played a central role in the country's history."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Legal Framework for Religious Freedom ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17542]

"The Government severely restricts freedom of religion. The constitution declares the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism." All laws and regulations must be consistent with the official interpretation of the Shari'a (Islamic law). The constitution states that "within the limits of the law," Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians are the only recognized religious minorities who are guaranteed freedom to practice their religion; however, members of these recognized minority religious groups have reported imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on their religious beliefs."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Restrictions on religious freedom and harassment against religious minorities ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17543]

"The government severely restricts freedom of religion. The constitution declares the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism." All laws and regulations must be consistent with the official interpretation of the Shari'a (Islamic law).

The constitution states that "within the limits of the law," Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians are the only recognized religious minorities who are guaranteed freedom to practice their religion; however, members of these recognized minority religious groups have reported imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on their religious beliefs."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Societal atmosphere for some religious minorities became worse ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17781]

"The continuous presence of the country's pre-Islamic, non-Muslim communities, such as Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians, had accustomed the population to the participation of non-Muslims in society; however, government actions continued to create a threatening atmosphere for some religious minorities and became significantly worse throughout the reporting period. The president's new agenda stressed the importance of Islam in enhancing "national solidarity" and mandated that government-controlled media emphasize Islamic culture in order to "cause subcultures to adapt themselves to public culture". Since August 2005 the government had intensified a campaign against non-Muslim religious minorities, and political and religious leaders issued a continual stream of inflammatory statements. On November 21 2005, the domestic press quoted Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of the Guardian Council, publicly attacking non-Muslims, calling them "sinful animals" and "corrupt". The remark was widely criticized in the country, and the majles representative of the Zoroastrian community publicly condemned his remarks and was consequently charged with the "dissemination of false information, slander, and insult." At year's end, no case had been pursued against him."

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Religious freedom ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 8822]

"[...]Religious freedom is limited in Iran, which is largely Shia Muslim with a small Sunni Muslim minority. Shia clerics who dissent from the ruling establishment are frequently harassed. In May, an aide to Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri was arrested for publishing a book that described the ayatollah’s experiences under house arrest. Sunnis enjoy equal rights under the law, but there are some indications of discrimination, such as the absence of a Sunni mosque in the Iranian capital and the paucity of Sunnis in senior government offices. The constitution recognizes Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians as religious minorities and generally allows them to worship without interference so long as they do not proselytize. However, they are barred from election to representative bodies (though a set number of parliamentary seats are reserved for them), cannot hold senior government or military positions, and face restrictions in employment, education, and property ownership. Some 300,000 Baha’is, Iran’s largest non-Muslim minority, enjoy virtually no rights under the law and are banned from practicing their faith. Hundreds of Baha’is have been executed since 1979. Iranian security forces raided two major evangelical Christian religious gatherings in May and September 2004, arresting scores of people, most of whom had been released by year’s end.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Religious discrimination & the establishmentof the Committee of Minorities ("Report of Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief - Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received (E/CN.4/2005/61/Add.1)") [#30271],  [ID 8831]

"[...]
136. The Special Rapporteur also mentioned that according to information received and, more particularly, an announcement published on 1 December 2003 in the Iranian periodical Payk-i-Sanjish (Examination Bulletin), the title of which can be translated as "For the Applicants to the National University Entrance Examination for the Year 1383 [2003/2004] – Registration", the question that specifically required university applicants to state their religious affiliation was replaced, as of 2003/04, by the following question: “If you are sitting the examination for Non-Islamic Studies, indicate for which one of the following” (the applicant has to tick one of four boxes: None; Jewish; Christian; Zoroastrian).
[...]
By letter dated 28 June 2004, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran provided the Special Rapporteur with information about the latest developments in the administration of justice with respect to minorities, in particular, the establishment of the Committee of Minorities, which would be competent to deal with the problems of religious minorities in Iran; the issuance of a presidential circular on the facilitation of recruitment of members of religious minorities to the public sector; and the adoption of a bill which would allow members of minorities to receive blood money equal to Muslims, a law that in practice had been enforced in various court cases.
[...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8823]

"[...] The Government has charged members of religious minorities with crimes such as "confronting the regime" and apostasy, and conducted trials in these cases in the same manner as threats to national security.
[...]

The Constitution declares that the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism." The Constitution also states that "other Islamic denominations are to be accorded full respect" and recognizes Zoroastrians, Christians, and Jews, the country's pre-Islamic religions, as "protected" religious minorities; however, in practice, the Government restricted freedom of religion.

Religions not specifically protected under the Constitution did not enjoy freedom of religion. This situation most directly affected the approximately 300,000 followers of the Baha'i faith, who were not recognized by the Government as a community and were considered to belong to an outlawed political organization.

The central feature of the country's Islamic republican system is rule by a "religious jurisconsult." Its senior leadership, including the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, the President, the Head of the Judiciary, and the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) was composed principally of Shi'a clergymen.

The Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) closely monitored religious activity. Adherents of recognized religious minorities were not required to register individually with the Government. However, their community, religious, and cultural organizations, as well as schools and public events, were monitored closely. The population was approximately 99 percent Muslim, of which 89 percent were Shi'a and 10 percent Sunni. Minorities (mostly Turkomen, Arabs, Baluchs, and Kurds) lived in the southwest, southeast, and northwest sections of the country. Baha'i, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Jewish communities constituted less than 1 percent of the population. [...]

The legal system discriminated against religious minorities, awarding lower monetary compensation in injury and death lawsuits for non-Muslims than for Muslims and imposing heavier punishments on non-Muslims than on Muslims. However, in January, the Expediency Council approved appending a Note to Article 297 of the 1991 Islamic Punishments Act, authorizing collection of equal blood money for the death of Muslims and non-Muslims. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Baha'is detained at any given time ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8824]

"[...] Adherents of the Baha'i faith continued to face arbitrary arrest and detention. According to Baha'i sources, four Baha'is remained in prison for practicing their faith at year's end, one facing a life sentence, two facing sentences of 15 years, and the fourth a 4-year sentence. A small number of Baha'is were detained at any given time. Sources claimed that such arrests were carried out to "terrorize" the community and to disrupt the lives of its members. Others were arrested, charged, and then quickly released. However, the charges against them often were not dropped (see Section 2.c.). [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8832]

"[...]Members of religious minority groups, including the Baha'is, evangelical Christians, and Sunni clerics were killed in recent years, allegedly by government agents or directly at the hands of authorities. [...]
No further information was known regarding the disappearances of Baha'i, Kurdish, and Jewish Iranian prisoners cited in previous Human Rights Reports dating from as early as the fall of the Shah in 1979. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

05.2003 - Source: US Commission on International Religious Freedom

Annual report on religious freedom 2003 ("Annual Report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom") [#13733],  [ID 8825]

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

The Government restricted freedom of religion ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11869],  [ID 8826]

"The Government restricted freedom of religion. The Constitution declares that the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the sect followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism," and that this principle is "eternally immutable." Article 144 of the Constitution states that "the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran must be an Islamic army," which is "committed to an Islamic ideology," and must "recruit into its service individuals who have faith in the objectives of the Islamic Revolution and are devoted to the cause of achieving its goals." However, members of religious minority communities sometimes served in the military. It also states that "other Islamic denominations are to be accorded full respect," and recognizes Zoroastrians, Christians, and Jews, the country's pre-Islamic religions, as the only "protected religious minorities." Religions not specifically protected under the Constitution did not enjoy freedom of religion. Members of the country's religious minorities, including Baha'is, Jews, Christians, and Sufi Muslims reported imprisonment, harassment, and intimidation based on their religious beliefs. This situation most directly affected the nearly 350,000 followers of the Baha'i Faith, who effectively had no legal rights either as individuals or as a community.

The central feature of the country's Islamic republican system was rule by a "religious jurisconsult." Its senior leadership, including the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, the President, the head of the Judiciary, and the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) was composed principally of Shi'a clergymen.

Religious activity was monitored closely by the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). Adherents of recognized religious minorities were not required to register individually with the Government. However, their community, religious, and cultural organizations, as well as schools and public events, were monitored closely. Baha'is were not recognized by the Government as a legitimate religious community; they were considered heretics belonging to an outlawed political organization. Registration of Baha'is was a police function. Evangelical Christian groups were pressured by government authorities to compile and hand over membership lists for their congregations; however, evangelicals resisted this demand. Non-Muslim owners of grocery shops were required to indicate their religious affiliation on the fronts of their shops.

The population was approximately 99 percent Muslim, of which 89 percent were Shi'a and 10 percent Sunni (mostly Turkomans, Arabs, Baluchis, and Kurds living in the southwest, southeast, and northwest). Baha'i, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Jewish communities constituted less than 1 percent of the population. Sufi brotherhoods were popular, but there were no reliable statistics on their number. All religious minorities suffered varying degrees of officially sanctioned discrimination, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and housing."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Baha'i, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Jewish communities constitute less than 1 percent of the population ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11869],  [ID 8833]

"The population was approximately 99 percent Muslim, of which 89 percent were Shi'a and 10 percent Sunni (mostly Turkomans, Arabs, Baluchis, and Kurds living in the southwest, southeast, and northwest). Baha'i, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Jewish communities constituted less than 1 percent of the population. Sufi brotherhoods were popular, but there were no reliable statistics on their number. All religious minorities suffered varying degrees of officially sanctioned discrimination, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and housing."

Document(s): Open document

04.11.2002 - Source: BBC News

Parliament has approved a draft law which puts the same "blood money" value on the lives of Muslim and non-Muslim men ("Iran revalues price of non-Muslim lives") [#9413],  [ID 8827]

Document(s): Open document

07.10.2002 - Source: US Department of State

US State Department: Religious activity is monitored closely by the Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance and by the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). ("International Religious Freedom Report") [#8971],  [ID 8828]

"The Government restricts freedom of religion. The Constitution declares that the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism." It also states that "other Islamic denominations are to be accorded full respect," and designates Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians as the only "recognized religious minorities," which, "within the limits of the law," are permitted to perform their religious rites and ceremonies and "to act according to their own canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education." Although the Constitution states that "the investigation of individuals’ beliefs is forbidden" and that "no one may be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief," the adherents of religions not specifically protected under the Constitution do not enjoy freedom of activity. This situation most directly affects adherents of the Baha’i Faith. The Government regards the Baha'i community, whose faith originally derives from a strand of Islam, as a misguided or wayward "sect." The Government fuels anti-Baha’i and anti-Jewish sentiment in the country for political purposes. Government officials have stated that the Baha’is "are not a religious minority, but a political organization which was associated with the Shah’s regime, is against the Iranian Revolution and engages in espionage activities." However, government officials reportedly nonetheless have stated that, as individuals, all Baha’is are entitled to their beliefs and are protected under other articles of the Constitution as citizens.


The central feature of the country’s Islamic republican system is rule by a "religious jurisconsult." The Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic controls the most important levers of power; he is chosen by a group of 83 religious scholars. All acts of the Majles (legislative body) must be reviewed for conformity with Islamic law and principles by the Council of Guardians, which is composed of six clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader and six Muslim jurists (legal scholars) nominated by the Head of the Judiciary and elected by parliament.

Religious activity is monitored closely by the Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance and by the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). Adherents of recognized religious minorities are not required to register individually with the Government; however, their community, religious, and cultural events and organizations, including schools, are monitored closely. Registration of Bahai’s is a police function. Evangelical Christian groups have been pressured by government authorities to compile and submit membership lists for their congregations, but evangelicals have resisted this demand. Non-Muslim owners of grocery shops are required to indicate their religious affiliation on the fronts of their shops.

In a March 2002 meeting at the Vatican with Pope John Paul II, Speaker of the Majles Mahdi Karrubi called for the expansion of Tehran-Vatican ties and said that dialog among religions can promote the restoration of peace and the elimination of violence in the world. In June 2002, Mohammad Khamenei, brother of the Supreme Leader, told the Pope in a Vatican meeting that dialog among religions was an ideal means for establishing global peace and justice."

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Home Office

UK Home Office: Discrimination against religious minorities by the Government exists ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 8829]

"5.39. Religious freedom is set out in the 1979 Constitution of Iran. Jafari (Shi'ite) Islam is the official religion of Iran and accords full respect and recognition for other Islamic schools, including the Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali, and Zaydi. Shi'a Muslims make up 89 per cent of the population, Sunni Muslims amount to 10 per cent and non-Muslims such as Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews make up the remaining 1 per cent.

5.40. Article 13 recognises the Zoroastrian, Jewish and Christian minorities, specifically described in the Constitution as “protected religious minorities”. Within the limits of the law, members of these faiths are free to perform their religious rites and ceremonies, and to act according to their own canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education. Article 14 calls for the respect of the human rights of non-Muslims as long as they refrain from engaging in conspiracy or activities against Islam or the Islamic Republic of Iran. Article 15 protects the use of tribal and regional languages in the press, mass media and in schools. Article 64 provides for Majlis representation of the Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians to reserved Majlis seats.

5.41. Contrary to Article 19, which says that all people of Iran enjoy equal rights whatever their ethnic group or tribe, discrimination against religious minorities by the Government exists. Members of religious minorities other than the Zoroastians, Jews and Christians are not elected to representative bodies. Neither do members of religious minorities hold senior government or military positions. Although Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians are permitted to maintain schools, they experience disruptive interference of their administration by the government. All public school students, including non-Muslims, must study Islam. University and public sector employment applicants are screened for adherence to Islam.

5.42. Religious minorities suffer discrimination in the legal system, receiving lower awards than Muslims in injury and death lawsuits, and incurring heavier punishments. However, the Majlis debated a Bill to equalize blood money for Muslims and non-Muslims and it was reported on 01 September 2002 that a Christian family received the same "blood money" as that of a Muslim in a murder case. Muslim men are free to marry non-Muslim women but marriages between Muslim women and non-Muslim men are not recognised.

5.43. The Government is highly suspicious of any proselytising of Muslims by non-Muslims and can be harsh in its response, in particular against Baha'is and evangelical Christians.

5.44. The Government does not ensure the right of citizens to change or renounce their religious faith. Apostasy, specifically conversion from Islam, can be punishable by death.

5.45. Religious minorities, whose numbers have dwindled, remain particularly vulnerable. In August 2001, the UN Human Rights Commission's special representative on Iran reported that the number of individuals belonging to ethnic and religious minorities emigrating from Iran was estimated to be in the tens of thousands annually."

Document(s): Open document

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

ACCORD: Discrimination of non-Muslims ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8830]

"Iran is an Islamic State with an Islamic Government governed by Islamic Law. It is
unavoidable that discrimination of non-Muslims occurs. The Constitution of Iran officially
recognizes as religious minorities in Iran Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians, as they are
‘religions of the book’. Within the limits of the Law these minorities are free to perform
their religious rites and ceremonies and to act according to their own rules in matters of
personal affairs and religious education. The Constitution further declares that these
religious minorities should be respected as long as they refrain from engaging in
conspiracy or activities against Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran (Art. 14).
In addition, members of the recognized religious minorities have representatives in the
Majles. At present there seems to be an outflow of Christians (Armenians and
Assyrians) from Iran. Meetings with representatives of the communities as well as
many of its members give the impression that one of the main reasons for the outflow is
the possibility of immigration to the USA and the facility with which it is possible to obtain
a visa for certain European countries from where they are then processed for further
migration. The situation appears not to have changed over the last two years.
Armenians are a small group who are not in the first instance subject to human rights
violations. Persecution of Armenian Christians would be something quite unusual,
something one usually does not hear of. Stories of Armenian-Orthodox asylum seekers
who were not living in the Northwest, where Christians normally live, and claim
persecution could indicate a new trend. In any case, if an Armenian is an Evangelical
Christian who proselytizes, s/he would be at risk.
Thus, in principle there is no persecution per se with regard to the recognized religious
minorities. However, there are elements of discrimination that can vary from person to
person, from place to place and depending on the mood of the moment. UNHCR
suggests that on a case by case basis, claims from persons belonging to religious
minorities be considered in light of the possible elements of discrimination. If these
elements are many and if the subjective element of fear is there, one could argue that
on cumulative grounds the discrimination experienced could amount to persecution.
(e.g. Baha’is) In addition, Christians who proselytize among Muslims have been at risk.
Concerning Muslims, there are no sanctions imposed on those who do not follow
Shiism. There is no regulation that requires a person to go to the mosque or men to
wear beards. On the other hand, there can be occasions, in certain areas, at certain
times (e.g. religious holidays), when religious tensions do arise and there may be the
risk of human rights violations in some parts of the country as a result of not adhering to
or appearing not to adhere to the religious precepts.
It is also crucial to understand that in Iran it is unthinkable that somebody does not
belong to any religious group. The religious affiliation of every Iranian citizen is
registered in her/his national ID card."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf