11.08.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize and Secretary General of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), increasingly intimidated since she has decided to defend in court seven members of the Baha’i minority ("Harsh slandering campaign against Nobel Peace Prize winner Ms. Shirin Ebadi and her family") [ID 25116]

Document(s): Open document

08.08.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Nobel peace laureate and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi and her family threatened by official news agency report; an IRNA report claimed that Ebadi’s daughter “converted to the Baha'i religion nearly a year ago”; a Muslim who converts to another religion is guilty under Islamic law of apostasy, which is punishable by death ("Nobel laureate threatened by state news agency allegation") [ID 25115]

Document(s): Open document

06.08.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

According to AI, charges against 7 members of the the Baha’i religious minority are politically motivated; they are in solitary confinement in Evin Prison ("Further Information on Urgent Action 128/08 (MDE 13/068/2008, 15 May 2008) [MDE 13/109/2008]") [ID 25112]

Document(s): Open document

07.2008 - Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Report on religious freedom (published in July 2008): Bahais in Iran ("Religious Freedom Profile") [ID 24892]

See p. 6 and p.11

"[…] Bahá’ís remain the most persecuted religious minority in Iran, ever since the revolution of 1979. On 14 May 2008, six members of the Bahá’í national coordination group were arrested […]

With these arrests, the total number of national Bahá’í leaders who are kept in incommunicado detention without legal representation have reached seven. Mrs Mahvash Sabet, the first leader to be detained, was arrested on 5 March 2008.[…]

International attention over a confidential letter sent by the Chairman of the Command Headquarters of the Armed Forces to various government agencies on 29 October 2005, requested the identification and monitoring of Bahá’ís has resulted in increased media attacks against Bahá’ís. According to the Bahá’í International Community, the official Kayhan newspaper “has carried more than 30 defamatory articles about the Bahá’ís and their religion in recent weeks with the clear intention of arousing suspicion, distrust, and hatred for the Iranian Bahá’í community.”

According to the Bahá’í International Community, 60 Bahá’ís were imprisoned between 2004-2006. Despite international pressure, Bahá’ís are still denied university education. Bahá’í International Community notes that that “majority of the roughly 200 Bahá’ís who managed to enrol in Iranian universities had been expelled by the end of the year. And for the academic year 2007-2008, almost 800 of the more than 1,000 Baha'is who sat for and properly completed the entrance exam in June 2007 have received word that their files are ‘incomplete’ — thus preventing their enrolment.”"

Document(s): Open document

19.06.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Repression against Bahais in 2007 ("Steadfast in Protest; Annual Report 2007"), Author: The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders [ID 24847]

See page 201 - 203

"[...] The year 2007 also witnessed an increase in the repression of ethnic and religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran: three Baha’is, arrested in Shiraz in May 2006 were sentenced to four years in prison in November 2007, allegedly for propaganda against the regime.

One year suspended prison sentences were given to 51 others, conditional on attending classes given by the Islamic Propaganda Organisation. In reality, these people had taken part in a humanitarian project to provide educational support to poor children in Shiraz. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Persecution, harassment and discriminatory practices against Baha’is; 13 Baha'is arrested in 2007 ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23483]

"Baha’is throughout the country continued to face persecution on account of their religion. At least 13 Baha’is were arrested in at least 10 cities and were subject to harassment and discriminatory practices, such as denial of access to higher education, bank loans and pension payments. Nine Baha’i cemeteries were desecrated."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

7 Bahai leaders arrested and accused of endangering national security; according to leaders of the minority, members of the Bahai faith are being persecuted by Iran's government for their religious beliefs ("Bahais accuse Iran of discrimination") [ID 24703]

Document(s): Open document

20.05.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

According to government spokesman, 6 members of Baha'i faith arrested for security reasons; they are accused of having links to foreigners; members of Baha'i faith see themselves hunted by Iranian authorities since 1979 revolution ("Iran says six Baha'is jailed on security charges") [ID 24695]

Document(s): Open document

15.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

6 leaders of a group managing the Baha’i community’s religious and administrative affairs were arrested at their homes ("Urgent Action 128/08 [MDE 13/068/2008]") [ID 24694]

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Bahai minority suffers discrimination, harassment, intimidation and imprisonment ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23031]

"During the year [2007], Baha'i students were routinely denied access to university education because of their religion. [...] On September 20, HRW reported that Baha'i students were denied access to their national matriculation exam scores, which are required for entrance into university. Baha'i groups outside the country also reported a concerted government effort at economic obstruction of Baha'is in the country.[…]

[…] In June 2006 the UNSR for Adequate Housing visited the country and reported that rural land, particularly that belonging to minorities, including many Baha'is, was expropriated for government use, and owners were not fairly compensated. With the exception of Baha'is, the government allowed recognized religious minorities to conduct religious education of their adherents […]. The legal system previously discriminated against recognized religious minorities in relation to blood money [...]. 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.[…]

[…] The country's estimated 300,000 to 350,000 Baha'is were not allowed to teach or practice their faith or to maintain links with coreligionists abroad. The government continued to imprison and detain Baha'is based on their religious beliefs. A 2001 Justice Ministry report indicated the existence of a government policy to eventually eliminate the Baha'i community.

In March 2006 the UNSR on Freedom of Religion and Belief expressed concern about allegations that security forces were monitoring and gathering information about the Baha'i community. Baha'i groups reported the government was collecting names of Baha'is across the country, and there was an increase of anti-Baha'i editorials in pro-government newspapers.

Between May 2006 and January, the government reportedly arrested 63 Baha'is. As of November, three remained in prison. The government did not formally charge many of the others but released them after they posted bail. For some, bail was in the form of deeds of property; others gained their release in exchange for personal guarantees or work licenses."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Attacks, arrests and killings of Bahais in 2007 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23032]

"[...] There were also reports of attacks on Baha'is by unidentified assailants, including the killings of two elderly Baha'i women. On February 16, a masked intruder killed an 85-year-old Baha'i woman, Behnam Saltanat Akhzari, in her home. The following day, a masked intruder assaulted a 77-year-old Baha'i woman, Shah Beygom Dehghani, in her home, and she died on March 7.

On January 1, security officials arrested two Baha'i men, Riaz Heravi and Siamak Ebrahimi, and detained them for 20 and 30 days, respectively. No details were available about the reasons for their arrests, although a Baha'i group noted that the two coordinated events for their Baha'i community.

In May 2006 security forces temporarily arrested 54 Baha'is in Shiraz while they were teaching in an educational program for underprivileged children. According to Baha'i organizations outside the country, they had an official permit to conduct such teachings. In August the court orally accused the 54 of "indirectly" teaching the Baha'i faith. The court gave all but three suspended sentences of one year in prison for "forming illegal groups" and "propagating on behalf of groups opposed to the government." The court sentenced the remaining three, Raha Sabet, Sasan Taqva, and Haleh Roohi to four years' imprisonment each: three years for "organizing illegal groups" and one year for "teaching on behalf of groups opposed to the government." They were detained on November 19."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Discrimination of Baha´is in Iran (2007) ("World Report 2008") [ID 22521]

"The government continues to deny Iran’s Baha’i community permission to publicly worship or pursue religious activities. In 2007 the government prevented at least 800 Baha’i students access to National Entrance Examination scores needed for admission to universities in Iran."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

In 2007 government prevented at least 800 Baha’i students from admission to universities in Iran ("World Report 2008") [ID 23562]

"The government continues to deny Iran’s Baha’i community permission to publicly worship or pursue religious activities. In 2007 the government prevented at least 800 Baha’i students access to National Entrance Examination scores needed for admission to universities in Iran."

Document(s): Open document

29.01.2008 - Source: BBC News

Iran jails 3 Bahai followers for engaging in propaganda against the Islamic revolutionary system ("Iran jails Bahai 'propagandists'") [ID 22437]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The Baha'i religious group numbers 300,000 to 350,000 people ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21125]

"[...] The largest non-Muslim minority is the Bahá'í religious group, which numbers 300,000 to 350,000."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Legal system discriminates against Baha'is ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21191]

"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.

All women, as well as 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

Baha'is do not have freedom to practice their belief and have faced an increasing number of public attacks ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21193]

"Adherents of religious groups not recognized by the Constitution, such as the Bahá'ís, do not have freedom to practice their beliefs. Government officials have stated that, as individuals, all Bahá'ís are entitled to their beliefs and are protected under the articles of the Constitution as citizens; however, the Government continues to prohibit Bahá'ís from teaching and practicing their faith. [...]

Bahá'ís may not teach or practice their faith or maintain links with coreligionists abroad. Bahá'ís are often officially charged with "espionage on behalf of Zionism," in part due to the fact that the Bahá'í world headquarters is located in Israel. These charges are more acute when Bahá'ís are caught communicating with or sending monetary contributions to the Bahá'í headquarters.

Since late 2005 Bahá'ís have faced an increasing number of public attacks, including a series of negative and defamatory articles in Kayhan, a government-affiliated newspaper whose managing editor was appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamene'i. Radio and television broadcasts have also increasingly condemned the Bahá'ís and their religion, and since October 2005 state-owned media has launched a series of weekly anti-Bahá'í broadcasts. These reports had the intention of arousing suspicion, distrust, and hatred for the Bahá'í community."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Government limits the access of Baha'is to schools and universities ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21194]

"The Government considers Bahá'ís to be apostates and defines the Bahá'í faith as a political "sect." The Ministry of Justice states that Bahá'ís are permitted to enroll in schools only if they do not identify themselves as Bahá'ís, and that Bahá'ís preferably should be enrolled in schools with a strong and imposing religious ideology. There were allegations that Bahá'í children in public schools faced attempts to convert them to Islam.

After a brief policy change during the reporting period allowed Bahá'í students to enroll in universities, the Government reverted to its previous practice of requiring Bahá'í students to identify themselves as other than Bahá'í in order to register for the entrance examination. This action precluded Bahá'í enrollment in state-run universities, since a tenet of the Bahá'í religion is not to deny one's faith.

The Ministry of Justice states that Bahá'ís must be excluded or expelled from universities, either in the admission process or during the course of their studies, if their religious affiliation becomes known. University applicants are required to pass an examination in Islamic, Christian, or Jewish theology, but there was no test for the Bahá'í faith. [...]

[...] Public and private universities continued either to deny admittance to or expel Bahá'í students. In 2004 Bahá'í applicants took part in the nationwide exam for entrance into state-run universities; however, "Islam" was pre-printed as a prospective student's religious affiliation on the form authorizing their matriculation. This action precluded Bahá'í enrollment, since a tenet of the Bahá'í religion is not to deny one's faith.

"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Baha'is are registrated by the police: Their events and organisations are monitored closely; ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21219]

"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. Registration of Bahá'ís is a police function.
"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The Government repeatedly offers Baha'is relief from mistreatment in exchange for recanting their faith ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21224]

"Broad restrictions on Bahá'ís severely undermined their ability to function as a community. The Government repeatedly offers Bahá'ís relief from mistreatment in exchange for recanting their faith."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Baha'is are carefully monitored by government authorities; even a union was asked to compile a list of their Baha'i members ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21225]

"The Government monitored the activities of Bahá'ís. A Bahá'í group outside the country reported an August 19, 2006, letter from the Ministry of Interior requesting provincial offices to "cautiously and carefully monitor and manage" all Bahá'í social activities.

The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief reported the existence of a secret October 2005 letter written by the Chairman of the Armed Forces Command, Major General Seyyed Hossein Firuzabadi, acting on instructions from Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, to the Ministry of Information, the Revolutionary Guard, and the Police Force, which requested the agencies to collect and to provide to the Armed Forces Command all information about Bahá'ís.

There were reports the Association of Chambers of Commerce and related associations, which are nominally independent bodies that are nonetheless heavily influenced by the Government, compiled a list of Bahá'ís and their trades and employment. A May 2006 letter from the Trades, Production, and Technical Services Society of Kermanshah to the Union of Battery Manufacturers showed further evidence of workplace restrictions as it asked the union to compile "a list of the names of those who belong to the Bahá'í sect and are under the jurisdiction of your union.""

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

According to a US based Baha'i assembly more than 200 Iranian Baha'is have been killed since 1979; Baha'i property seized by the government has not been returned yet ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21281]

"According to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, since 1979 more than 200 Bahá'ís have been killed, and 15 have disappeared and are presumed dead.

The Government seized many Bahá'í properties following the 1979 revolution and has not returned any Bahá'í cemeteries, holy places, historical sites, administrative centers, or other assets. No properties have been returned, and many have been destroyed. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Baha'is are generally prevented from burying and honoring their dead in accordance with their tradition ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21282]

"[...] Bahá'ís are generally prevented from burying and honoring their dead in accordance with their religious tradition; however, Bahá'í groups reported some instances during the reporting period of Bahá'ís being permitted to bury their dead in their own cemeteries."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Seizure of Baha’i property and the denial of their access to education and employment is eroding the economic base of the community and threatening its survival ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21284]

"The Bahá'í community claimed the government's seizure of Bahá'í personal property and its denial of Bahá'í access to education and employment was eroding the economic base of the community and threatening its survival.

On June 29, 2006, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on adequate housing found that government expropriations of property in Iran "seem to have targeted disproportionately" the property of Bahá'ís and other ethnic and religious minorities. He further mentioned that many of the confiscation verdicts made by Iranian Revolutionary Courts declared that "the confiscation of the property of the evil sect of the Bahá'í [were] legally and religiously justifiable."

There were reports during the reporting period of authorities forcing Bahá'í businesses to close and placing restrictions on their businesses, and asking managers of private companies to dismiss their Bahá'í employees."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Imprisonment and detention of Baha'is are based on their religious beliefs ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21285]

"The Government continued to imprison and detain Bahá'ís based on their religious beliefs. The Government arbitrarily arrested Bahá'ís and charged them with violating Islamic Penal Code Articles 500 and 698, relating to activities against the state and spreading falsehoods, respectively.

Often the charges were not dropped upon release and those with charges still pending against them reportedly feared rearrest at any time. Most were released only after paying large fines or posting high bails.

Between May 2006 and January 2007, the Government reportedly arrested 63 Bahá'ís. As of February 2007 three remained in prison. The Government never formally charged many of the others, but released them only after they posted bail. For some, bail was in the form of deeds of property; others gained their release in exchange for personal guarantees or work licenses."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Attacks on Baha'i: 2 elderly Bahai'i women killed ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21286]

"There were also reports of attacks on Bahá'ís by unidentified assailants, including the killings of two elderly Bahá'í women. On February 16, 2007, an 85-year-old Bahá'í woman, Behnam Saltanat Akhzari, was killed in her home by a masked intruder. The following day, a 77-year-old Bahá'í woman, Shah Beygom Dehghani, was also assaulted in her home by a masked intruder and she died on March 7, 2007."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

On 1 January 2007, 2 Baha’i men were arrested and detained for 20 and 30 days; no official reasons were given for their arrests ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21287]

"On January 1, 2007, two Bahá'í men, Riaz Heravi and Siamak Ebrahimi, were arrested and detained for 20 and 30 days, respectively. No details were available about the reasons for their arrests, although a Bahá'í group noted that the two coordinated events for their Bahá'í community on an ad hoc basis."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Arrests and trials against Baha'is ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21325]

"On November 1, 2006, a Bahá'í man, Fayzullah Rowshan, was reportedly arrested by order of the Ministry of Information, following a search of his home. He was released on January 1, 2007. No details about the reason for his arrest were available.

On September 21, 2006, the Court of Appeal in Semnan province denied the appeal of eight Bahá'ís arrested in May 2005. They were accused of "teaching activities against the Islamic Republic of Iran." Three were given sentences of 6 months in prison, and five were sentenced to 91 days. Six of the eight sentences were suspended for 4 years, and the other two appealed their sentences.

On August 17, 2006, a Bahá'í man, Babak Roohi, was reportedly arrested in Mashhad for making 50 photocopies of a Bahá'í book for a Bahá'í function. He was released 2 weeks later after posting bail of $34,000 (315,000,000 rials).

On June 28, 2006, a Bahá'í was taken into custody and was being held in the Ministry of Information's detention center. At the end of the reporting period, no further information was available. This individual was previously arrested and released in August 2005.

[...] On June 18, 2006, the Government arrested three Bahá'ís from Hamadan after government officials confiscated books, computers, and Bahá'í documents. They were later released on bail on June 21, 2006.

Between May 9 and May 11, 2006, the Government raided eleven Bahá'í homes in Shahinshahr, Najafabad, and Kashan with no arrests made. On May 19, 2006, the Government raided six Bahá'í homes in Shiraz, and arrested 54 Bahá'ís. Security forces also seized notebooks, computers, books, and documents. On May 24 and May 25, 2006, the Government released all but three of the detainees. As of June 14, 2006 the remaining three had been released.

[...] On February 5, 2006, the Government arrested three Bahá'ís from Esfahan for coordinating Bahá'í activities.

On January 15, 2006, the Government arrested three Bahá'ís from Kermanshah on charges of "involvement in Bahá'í activities and insulting Islam." The Government raided their homes and the homes of four others the same day and confiscated books, documents, and other items. The Government released them on January 20, 2006.

[...] In August 2005 the Government arrested at least 23 Bahá'ís and later released 3 on bail and sentenced 4 to 10 months in prison. The Government also searched the homes of several Bahá'ís, and confiscated books, computers, tapes, videos, and CDs.

[...] In April-May 2005 the Government arrested and imprisoned nine Bahá'ís, following the confiscation of their properties. All nine later gained their release from prison, after a business license was used as collateral.

In March 2005 a series of Bahá'í arrests and imprisonments took place throughout the country. One of the Bahá'ís previously arrested and briefly detained for having distributed an open letter from the Bahá'í community to then-President Khatami, received a 3-year sentence and was incarcerated in Evin prison."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

On 18 March 2006 the Baha’i Mehran Kawsari was released from jail: He was sentenced to prison in connection with distributing a November 2004 open letter to the government denouncing the Baha’i-focused human rights and religious freedom abuses ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21327]

"On March 18, 2006, Mehran Kawsari was released from jail without bail, after being charged with taking measures against the internal security of the Government. He was tried in connection with distributing a November 2004 open letter, in which the Bahá'í community wrote to the Government of the Islamic Republic, addressed to then-President Khatami, seeking an end to Bahá'í-focused human rights and religious freedom abuses. Numerous anecdotal reports indicated a marked increase in Government persecution of Bahá'ís after this letter.

[...] In May 2005 the Government charged several Bahá'ís with "creating anxiety in the minds of the public and those of the Iranian officials" and distributing "propaganda against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran," for having distributed copies of the 2004 open letter to various government officials."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The longiest imprisoned Baha'i man died on 19 December 2005 in prison: He was arrested 1995 and convicted of apostasy in 1996 ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21328]

"On December 19, 2005, the longest imprisoned Bahá'í, Zabihullah Mahrami, died in prison of unknown causes. He was arrested in 1995 and convicted of apostasy in 1996. A Bahá'í group outside the country reported in April 2007 that the Revolutionary Court of Yazd province confiscated the home of Mahrami's widow, Nahid Beygi."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In February 2005 two Baha'i men released from prison after serving almost 15 years on charges related to their religious beliefs ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21329]

"In February 2005 the Government released two Bahá'ís from prison after serving almost 15 years on charges related to their religious beliefs."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In 2006, for the first time about 200 Baha'i students were admitted to universities ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20752]

"During the year, for the first time, approximately 200 Baha'i students were admitted to universities. However, it was not known if their admission resulted from changed government policy or a change in the use of university application forms."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Pooya Mavahhed, first arrested in August 2005 on a charge of opposition to the government but later released on bail, re-arrested on 28 June 2006 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20754]

"On June 28, authorities re-arrested Baha'i member Pooya Mavahhed, who was first arrested in August 2005 on a charge of opposition to the government but was released 10 days later on bail."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

On 17 August 2006 a Baha'i member was arrested on counts of having made copies of a Baha'i book ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20755]

"On August 17, according to press reports, authorities arrested Babak Rouhi in Mashad on counts of having made copies of a Baha'i book for a Baha'i function."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Members of Baha'i faith suffer restricted freedom of religion; in March 2006 UN expressed concern that security forces were monitoring and gathering information about the Baha'i community ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20759]

"Baha'i organizations outside the country warned that the government intensified a strategy of intimidation against Baha'is.The country's estimated 300,000 to 350,000 Baha'is were not allowed to teach or practice their faith or to maintain links with co-religionists abroad. The government continued to imprison and detain Baha'is based on their religious beliefs. A 2001 Justice Ministry report indicated the existence of a government policy to eliminate the Baha'i community eventually.

In March the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief expressed concern about allegations that security forces were monitoring and gathering information about the Baha'i community. Baha'i groups reported the government was collecting names of Baha'is across the country, and there was an increase of anti-Baha'i editorials in progovernment newspapers.


"

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In December 2005 Baha'i prisoner, Zabihullah Mahrami, who was sentenced for apostasy, died in prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20760]

"In December 2005 the longest held Baha'i prisoner, Zabihullah Mahrami, died in prison of unknown causes. Mahrami was arrested in 1995 and faced a life sentence for apostasy."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In November 2004, a Baha'i was sentenced to 3 years in prison for writing to the president about the situation of Baha'is; later he was released on bail ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20776]

"[...] Another Baha'i, Mehran Kawsari, who was sentenced to three years in prison in November 2004 after writing a letter to then-president Khatami on the situation of Baha'is, was released on bail on March 18."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Shiraz: 54 Baha'is - primarily youths participating in a student volunteer programme - arrested but finally released after about 4 weeks ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20777]

"On May 19, 54 Baha'is were arrested in the city of Shiraz. Those arrested were primarily Baha'i youths participating in a student volunteer program to tutor underprivileged children. All were released by mid-June."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In 2005 65 Baha'is were arrested, later released on bails; their families often were not informed of their location, authorities denied their arrests or did not indicate charges against them ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20778]

"Throughout 2005 the government arrested 65 other Baha'is, detained them, and later released them on high bails, often in the form of property deeds. While they were imprisoned, their families often were not informed of their location, and authorities denied any record of their arrests or did not indicate charges against them. Some were not allowed to work for several months after their release. Government agents also searched numerous Baha'i homes and seized possessions."

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2007 - Source: Minority Rights Group International

Annual report on the situation of Baha'is ("State of the World's Minorities 2007") [ID 22401]

"The 300,000 Baha’i of Iran remain subject to severe state discrimination.

In September 2005, state-controlled media began an intense campaign against the Baha’i, whom Islamic clerics decry as heretics for believing that other prophets came after Mohammed.
In March 2006, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion said she had received an October 2005 document in which Ayatollah Khamenei ordered the Iranian military to identify and monitor members of the Baha’i community.
In May 2006, Human Rights Watch reported the arrests of 54 Baha’i youth volunteers in Shiraz."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Religious restrictions on Baha'is ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17544]

"Adherents of religious groups not recognized by the constitution do not enjoy freedom to practice their beliefs. This restriction seriously affects adherents of the Baha'i faith, which the government regards as a heretical Islamic group with a political orientation that is antagonistic to the country's Islamic revolution. However, Baha'is view themselves not as Muslims, but as an independent religion with origins in the Shi'a Islamic tradition. Government officials have stated that, as individuals, all Baha'is are entitled to their beliefs and are protected under the articles of the constitution as citizens; however, the Government continued to prohibit Baha'is from teaching and practicing their faith. Baha'is also faced discrimination in the workplace and are barred from government posts."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Discrimination against Baha'is and restriction of their religious practice ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17640]

"The Baha'i faith originated in the country during the 1840s as a reformist movement within Shi'a Islam. The Government considers Baha'is to be apostates because of their claim to a valid religious revelation subsequent to that of the Prophet Muhammad, but Baha'is do not consider themselves to be Muslim. Rather, the government defines the Baha'i faith as a political "sect," linked to the Pahlavi regime but Baha'is faced discrimination prior to the revolution. A 2001 Ministry of Justice report stated that Baha'is would be permitted to enroll in schools only if they did not identify themselves as Baha'is, and that Baha'is preferably should be enrolled in schools with a strong and imposing religious ideology. There are allegations that Baha'i children in public schools have faced attempts to convert them to Islam. The Ministry of Justice report also stated that Baha'is must be excluded or expelled from universities, either in the admission process or during the course of their studies, once their religious affiliation becomes known.

Baha'is may not teach or practice their faith or maintain links with co-religionists abroad. The fact that the Baha'i world headquarters (established by the founder of the Baha'i faith in the nineteenth century, in what was then Ottoman-controlled Palestine) is situated in what is now the state of Israel exposes Baha'is to official charges of "espionage on behalf of Zionism." These charges were more acute when Baha'is were caught communicating with or sending monetary contributions to the Baha'i headquarters.

Baha'is are banned from government employment and government pensions. In addition Baha'is were regularly denied compensation for injury or criminal victimization and were denied the right to inherit property. Baha'i marriages and divorces were not officially recognized, although the government allows a civil attestation of marriage to serve as a marriage certificate.

The Government allows recognized religious minorities to establish community centers and certain self-financed cultural, social, athletic, or charitable associations. However, the Government prohibited the Baha'is community from official assembly and from maintaining administrative institutions by actively closing such Baha'i institutions. Since the Baha'i faith had no established clergy, the denial of the right to form such institutions and elect officers threatened its existence in the country.

Broad restrictions on Baha'is undermined their ability to function as a community. Baha'is repeatedly were offered relief from mistreatment in exchange for recanting their faith.

Baha'i cemeteries, holy places, historical sites, administrative centers, and other assets were seized shortly after the 1979 Revolution. No properties have been returned, and many have been destroyed. Baha'is were not allowed to bury and honor their dead in adherence to their religious tradition. Baha'i graveyards in Yazd and other cities have been desecrated, and the government did not seek to identify or punish the perpetrators. Public and private universities continue to deny admittance to Baha'i students. In 2004, for the first time, Baha'i applicants were permitted to take part in the nationwide exam for entrance into state-run universities. However, for those students who passed the exam, "Islam" was pre-printed as a prospective student's religious affiliation on the form authorizing their matriculation. This action precluded Baha'i enrollment in the country's state-run universities since a tenet of Baha'i faith is to not deny one's faith. Only a few students were allowed to enroll. In 2005, after similar treatment, no Baha'i students were accepted. A statement posted on Ayatollah Safi's official website during the reporting period reiterated the policy that Baha'is must be expelled from university once their affiliation was known.

The Government monitored the activities of those it identified as adhering to the Baha'i Faith. The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief became aware of a secret October 2005 letter written by the Chairman of the Armed Forces Command, Major General Seyyed Hossein Firuzabadi, acting on instructions from Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamene'I, to the Ministry of Information, the Revolutionary Guard, and the Police Force, which requested the agencies to collect and to provide to the Armed Forces Command all information about members of the Baha'i Faith. There were also reports the Association of Chambers of Commerce compiled a list of Baha'i members and their trades and employment. A May 2, 2006, letter from the Trades, Production, and Technical Services Society of Kermanshah to the Union of Battery Manufacturers shows further evidence of workplace restrictions as it asks the union to compile "a list of the names of those who belong to the Baha'i sect and are under the jurisdiction of your union."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Confiscation of Baha'i property, harassment and persecution ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17645]

"The property rights of Baha'is were generally disregarded, and they suffer frequent government harassment and persecution. Since 1979 the government has confiscated large numbers of private and business properties belonging to Baha'is, as well as religious material. Numerous Baha'i homes reportedly were seized and handed over to an agency of Supreme Leader Khamene'i. Sources indicated that property was confiscated in Rafsanjan, Kerman, Marv-Dasht, and Yazd. Authorities reportedly also confiscated Baha'i properties in Kata, forced several families to leave their homes and farmlands, imprisoned some farmers, and did not permit others to harvest their crops. In one instance, a Baha'i woman from Esfahan who legally traveled abroad, returned to find that her home was confiscated. The Government also seized private homes in which Baha'i youth classes were held despite the owners having proper ownership documents.

The Baha'i community claimed the Government's seizure of Baha'i personal property and its denial of Baha'i access to education and employment were eroding the economic base of the community and threatened its survival. On June 29, 2006 the UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing found that government expropriations of property in Iran "seem to have targeted disproportionately" the property of Baha'is and other ethnic and religious minorities. He further mentioned that many of the confiscation verdicts made by Iranian Revolutionary Courts declared that "the confiscation of the property of the evil sect of the Baha'i [were] legally and religiously justifiable." There were recent reports of authorities forcing Baha'i businesses to close and placing restrictions on their businesses. Managers of private companies were reportedly asked to dismiss their Baha'i employees.

The Government continued to imprison and detain Baha'is based on their religious beliefs. The Government harassed the Baha'i community by arbitrarily arresting Baha'is and charging them with violating Islamic penal code Articles 500 and 698, relating to activities against the State and spreading falsehood, respectively. Often the charges were not dropped upon release and those with charges still pending against them reportedly feared re-arrest at any time. Most were released only after paying large fines or posting high bails."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Cases of confiscation of Baha'i property, harassement and persecution ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17646]

"In 2004, authorities initiated the destruction of the tomb of Quddus, a Baha'i holy site. Local Baha'is attempted to prevent the destruction through legal channels, but the tomb was destroyed in the interim. The Baha'is were not allowed permission to enter the site and retrieve the remains of this revered Baha'i figure. The house of Mizra Buzarg-e-Nuri, father of the faith's founder, was destroyed without notice. According to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, since 1979 more than 200 Baha'is were killed, 15 disappeared and were presumed dead, and more than 10,000 Baha'is were dismissed from government and university jobs.

In 2004, a Baha'i optician in Hamadan was reportedly kidnapped and brutally attacked by five individuals, who threatened him with death if he did not recant his faith and convert to Islam. Local authorities were unwilling to pursue the case and a local judicial official reportedly told him "it would cost him [the victim] dearly" if he pursued his complaint against the assailants.

In 2004, for the first time, the Baha'i community wrote an open letter to the Government of the Islamic Republic, addressed to President Khatami, seeking an end to Baha'i-focused human rights and religious freedom abuses. Numerous anecdotal reports indicated a marked increase in government persecution of Baha'is after this letter. Much of this anti-Baha'i activity focused on Yazd, presumably due to Yazdi Baha'is having presented Yazd intelligence-security officials with a copy of the letter.

In late 2004 and January 2005, nine Baha'is in Yazd were arrested and briefly detained, and their homes searched and some possessions confiscated.

On January 14, 2005, authorities summoned, questioned, and released another Yazd Baha'i, and four days later on January 18, four individuals came to his home and beat him with batons, inflicting severe injuries to his face, back, and arms. The same individuals, equipped with batons and communication devices, also attacked the home of another Baha'i later that day. On that same day, these same persons went to the home of a third Baha'i and attacked him with batons, causing serious head wounds. This third Baha'i was attacked again on January 25; on January 27 his shop was set on fire. In February 2005, the Baha'i cemetery in Yazd was destroyed, with cars driven over the graves, tombstones smashed, and the remains of the interred left exposed. Two days later, a gravestone was removed and left in front of a Baha'is home, along with a threatening letter. The Baha'i community filed a complaint with authorities at the national level, but no action was taken. These events coincided with the launch of a campaign of defamation against the Baha'i faith in government-controlled media.

In February 2005, two Baha'is were released from prison after serving almost fifteen years on charges related to their religious beliefs.

In March 2005, a series of Baha'i arrests and imprisonments began throughout the country.

In Tehran on March 6 2005, intelligence officials arrested and took into custody three prominent Baha'is, and another was arrested and imprisoned on March 16. Agents conducted prolonged searches of their homes and confiscated documents, books, and other belongings. They were all detained without charge, and released after having posted bail. On March 8 2005, one of the Baha'is previously arrested and briefly detained for having distributed an open letter from the Baha'i community to President Khatami, received a three-year sentence and was incarcerated in Evin prison. He did not have access to lawyers nor to any form of legal counsel. Another Baha'i previously arrested and detained, was tried in absentia and given a one-year sentence for the same alleged offence.

On April 25 2005, five more Baha'is were arrested and imprisoned, all members of farming families whose properties had been confiscated in the village of Kata, when they obeyed a summons and came to the court for hearings concerning their grievances.

On May 3 2005, four more Baha'is from Kata answered a similar summons and appeared before a court in the same province. The judge asked them if they would relinquish their property, and when they refused, the judge ordered their arrest and detention. Later that month, all nine were released from prison after a business license was used as collateral.

On May 16 2005, nine Baha'is were summoned to appear before the office of the Public Prosecutor in the city of Semnan. They were charged with "creating anxiety in the minds of the public and those of the Iranian officials" and distributing "propaganda against the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran" for having distributed copies of the November 2004 open letter to various government officials. They were detained and subsequently released, with the understanding that they would appear for a hearing at a later date. Between August 2005 and May 2006, eighty-seven Baha'is were arrested (but only eighty-six were detained). At the end of the period covered by this report, two remained in prison. Most of the others were never formally charged but they were only released after posting bail. For some, bail was deeds of property worth approximately $11,000; others were released in exchange for personal guarantees or work licenses. Some were not allowed to resume working for six months after their detention.

There were also reports of attacks on Baha'is by unidentified assailants. In the first week of August 2005, fourteen Baha'is were arrested from several cities, including Tehran. They were held in incommunicado detention, and there was concern from several sources that they were at risk of torture or ill treatment. During the rest of August and during September, nine more Baha'is were arrested in various cities. On September 17 and 19, three were released on bail.

On September 5, four Baha'is were sentenced to ten months of imprisonment for opposition to the government. On the same day, the homes of nine Baha'is were searched in Yazd, and books, computers, tapes, videos, and CDs were confiscated. On December 19, 2005, the longest imprisoned Baha'i, Zabihullah Mahrami, died in prison of unknown causes. He was arrested in 1995 and convicted of apostasy in 1996. He was forced to engage in hard labor at the penitentiary and regularly received death threats. His family was told he died of a heart attack, but Mahrami was reportedly in good health prior to his death.

On January 15, 2006, three Baha'is from Kermanshah were arrested on charges of "involvement in Baha'i activities and insulting Islam." Their homes and four others were raided the same day and books, documents, and other items were confiscated.

On January 16, the Revolutionary Court set property worth more than US$30,000 as collateral for the three Baha'is, and they were released on January 20. On February 5, 2006, three Baha'is from Esfahan were arrested for coordinating Baha'i activities. On March 18, 2006, Mehran Kawsari was released from jail without bail. He was tried in connection with the November 2004 open letter to then President Khatami that requested the restoration of human rights for the Baha'is and was charged with taking measures against the internal security of the government.

From May 9 to 11 2006, eleven Baha'i homes were raided in Shahinshahr, Najafabad, and Kashan but no arrests were made. On May 19, six Baha'i homes were raided in Shiraz, and notebooks, computers, books, and documents were seized. The homeowners were among the fifty-four Baha'is arrested that day. The individuals were mostly youths engaged in humanitarian service. With permission from the Islamic Council of Shiraz, they were teaching classes to poor children as part of a UNICEF program.

On May 24-25, fifty-one out of fifty-four of the detainees were released. As of June 14, the remaining three had been released, initially for collateral payments of $54,600 per person but in the end solely based on personal guarantees.

On June 13 2006, one Baha'i man from Sanandaj was arrested and released on June 29 on unknown terms. There was an unconfirmed report of five more arrests in Shiraz, but no further information is yet available.

On June 18, three Baha'is from Hamadan were arrested after government officials confiscated books, computers, and Baha'i documents, but they were released on bail on June 21. No details of the terms of their release were available.

On June 21, one Baha'i from Baluchistan province was reportedly abducted, and authorities said they suspected criminal elements were involved.

On June 28, one Baha'i was taken into custody and was being held in the Ministry of Information's detention center. This individual was previously arrested and released in August 2005."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Forced religious conversion ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17779]

"[...] Baha'is were repeatedly offered relief from mistreatment in exchange for recanting their faith [...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Increasing numbers of public attacks and escalation of personal harassment since late 2005 ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17784]

"Since late 2005, Baha'is have faced an increasing number of public attacks, including a series negative and defamatory articles in Kayhan, the official Tehran daily newspaper. Kayhan is a government-controlled newspaper whose managing editor was appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamene'i. Radio and television broadcasts have also increasingly condemned the Baha'is and their religion, and since October 2005 they have launched a series of weekly anti-Baha'i broadcasts. These reports had the intention of arousing suspicion, distrust, and hatred for the Baha'i community.

Since the National Association of Chambers of Commerce began collecting employment data on Baha'is, have been reported problems for Baha'is in different trades around the country. Baha'is have also experienced an escalation of personal harassment, including receiving threatening notes, CDs, text messages, and tracts. There were reported cases of Baha'i children being harassed in school and subjected to Islamic indoctrination. Baha'i girls were especially targeted, with the intention of creating tension between parents and children."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

66 Baha'is detained throughout 2005; 2 remained held at the end of the year ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18830]

"Members of Iran’s religious minorities were detained solely in connection with their faith.

[...] At least 66 Baha’is were detained and two remained held at the end of the year. Mehran Kawsari and Bahram Mashhadi were sentenced to three years and one year in prison respectively in connection with an open letter sent to President Khatami in November 2004."

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Religious freedom ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 8876]

"[...]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

25.05.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Gozinesh - Discriminatory law and practices ("Annual Report 2005") [#32306],  [ID 8881]

"[...]
The gozinesh provided the legal basis for discriminatory laws and practice. Religious and ethnic groups which were not officially recognized – such as the Bahai’s, Ahl-e Haq, Mandaeans (Sabaeans) and Evangelical Christians – were automatically subject to gozinesh provisions and faced discrimination in a range of areas, including access to education.
[...]"

Document(s): Open document
Open document

26.03.2005 - Source: UK House of Commons - Foreign Affairs Committee

Annual report on human rights 2004 ("Human Rights Annual Report 2004; Fourth Report of Session 2004-05") [#37684],  [ID 8877]

"[...]130. We received evidence from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom describing a "marked intensification of the persecution of the Bahá'ís in Iran". The evidence stated that: The latter half of 2004 has seen the Iranian authorities renew their efforts to persecute the Bahá'í community. The Bahá'í have been ordered to cease any and all collective activity, they have been threatened with the removal of the state's protection from elements in the population who may wish to attack them out of their 'Islamic sentiments' and there have been fresh pressures on the cultural, economic and social life of the Bahá'í community. Young Bahá'ís have again been denied access to university education after a cruel deception by the authorities had raised their hopes of change.[166] [...]"

Document(s): Open document
Open document UK government's response

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

Baha'i ("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 8878]

"[...]
135. On 15 March 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in relation to information received according to which in the last week of January 2004, individuals in the city of Babul began to destroy a property with great religious significance to the Bahá’í community worldwide, as it was the resting place of Mulla Muhammad-'Ali Barfurushi, known as Quddus (the most holy). It was reported that a further attempt was made to raze the site, but this was stopped by local Bahá’ís who stood in front of the bulldozer and demanded to see the legal permit for the demolition. As the permit could not be produced, the operator of the bulldozer allegedly ceased to proceed with the destruction.
[...]
137. On 10 June 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent another communication in connection with the building over the grave of Quddus (see above), which in the interim had reportedly been completely levelled. Despite attempts to protect the site, it was reported that the demolition of the rest of the structure had continued gradually and quietly, in a manner designed not to attract attention. Subsequently, the Bahá'ís were allegedly prevented from retrieving the remains of Quddus. The Bahá'ís in Babul reportedly approached the local clergy, who directed them to the local prosecutor, who referred them to the Ministry of Information, which refused to issue the necessary permission.
[...]"

Document(s): Open document

10.03.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Continued discrimination of Baha'i ("Iran: Human Rights Concerns for the 61st Session of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights") [#29917],  [ID 8879]

"The Baha’i community continues to be denied permission to worship or to engage in communal affairs in a public manner."

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Written statement by the International Federation for Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) on freedom of expression, torture, women rights, discrimination against minorities and the death penalty ("Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world [E/CN.4/2005/NGO/158]") [#30291],  [ID 8880]

"[...]In addition, the pression on Baha'is intensified in 2004. According to the Baha'i International Community, some of the Baha'is who transmitted on 15 November an appeal in writing to governmental and non-governmental authorities throughout the country on behalf of the community, were subsequently arrested. All were released, but two of them only after several weeks. In addition, access to universities continued to be blocked: Baha'is were allowed to take the entrance examination for the first time in 20 years, but no measures were taken to allow them to apply for placement in a university without having to declare their adherence to one of the four religions recognised in the Iranian Constitution.[...]"

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 8882]

"[...]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.). [...]

Members of the country's religious minorities, particularly Bahai's, reported imprisonment, harassment, and intimidation based on their religious beliefs. All religious minorities suffered varying degrees of officially sanctioned discrimination, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and housing. The Government generally allowed recognized religious minorities to conduct religious education of their adherents, although it restricted this right considerably in some cases. Religious minorities, by law and practice, are barred from election to a representative body, except to the five Majlis seats reserved for minorities, and from holding senior government or military positions. Members of religious minorities were allowed to vote, but they could not run for President. Although the Constitution mandates an Islamic Army, members of religious minority communities sometimes served in the military.

The Government allowed recognized religious minorities to establish community centers and certain privately financed cultural, social, sports, or charitable associations. However, since 1983, the Government has denied the Baha'i community the right to assemble officially or to maintain administrative institutions. [...]

Proselytizing of Muslims by non-Muslims is illegal and the Government was harsh in its response, in particular against Baha'is and evangelical Christians. The Government did not ensure the right of citizens to change or recant their religion. Apostasy, specifically conversion from Islam, is punishable by death.

Baha'is were considered apostates because of their claim to a religious revelation subsequent to that of the Prophet Mohammed. The Government defined the Baha'i faith as a political "sect" linked to the Pahlavi monarchy and, therefore, as counterrevolutionary. Historically at risk, Baha'is often have suffered increased levels of mistreatment during times of political unrest. There have been reports in the past that historic Baha'i shrines were destroyed. Baha'is may not teach or practice their faith or maintain links with co-religionists abroad. The Government continued to imprison and detain Baha'is based on their religious beliefs. A 2001 Ministry of Justice report indicated that government policy aimed at the eventual elimination of the Baha'is as a community. [...]
In July, for the first time, Baha'i applicants were permitted to take part in the nationwide exam for entrance into state-run colleges. However, the word "Islam" was pre-printed in a slot listing a prospective student's religious affiliation. This action precluded Baha'i matriculation, since as a matter of faith, Baha'is do not deny their faith. [...]

Baha'is often experienced difficulty in obtaining passports. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

13.01.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Minorities ("World report 2005") [#28233],  [ID 8883]

"[...]Iran’s ethnic and religious minorities remain subject to discrimination and, in some cases, persecution. The Baha’i community continues to be denied permission to worship or engage in communal affairs in a public manner. In a rare public protest, eighteen Sunni parliamentarians wrote to the authorities in July 2003 to criticize the treatment of the Sunni Muslim community and the refusal to allow construction of a mosque in Tehran that would serve that community. The Baluchi minority, who are mostly Sunni and live in the border province of Sistan and Baluchistan, continue to suffer from lack of representation in local government and have experienced a heavy military presence in the region. In December 2003, tensions between the local population and the Revolutionary Guards led to large demonstrations in Saravan, in Baluchistan province. In the ensuing clashes between demonstrators and the police at least five people were killed.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

The Government continued to imprison and detain Baha'is based on their religious beliefs ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003") [#19747],  [ID 8884]

"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. [...]

According to Baha'i sources, since 1979 15 Baha'i have disappeared and are presumed dead. [...]

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 and have been in detention 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, generating continued apprehension (see section 2.c.). [...]

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. [...]

Baha'i, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Jewish communities constituted less than 1 percent of the population. [...]

The Government allowed recognized religious minorities to establish community centers and certain privately-financed cultural, social, sports, or charitable associations. However, since 1983 the Government has denied the Baha'i community the right to assemble officially or to maintain administrative institutions. [...]

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. In April, the Council of Guardians rejected a bill passed by the Majlis in late 2002 equalizing the "blood money" paid to the families of male crime victims except for Bahai's. Proselytizing of Muslims by non-Muslims is illegal and the Government was harsh in its response, in particular against Baha'is and evangelical Christians. The Government did not ensure the right of citizens to change or recant their religion. Apostasy, specifically conversion from Islam, is punishable by death. [...]

Baha'is were considered apostates because of their claim to a religious revelation subsequent to that of the Prophet Mohammed. The Government defined the Baha'i faith as a political "sect" linked to the Pahlavi monarchy and therefore, as counterrevolutionary. Historically at risk, Baha'is often have suffered increased levels of mistreatment during times of political unrest. Baha'is may not teach or practice their faith or maintain links with co-religionists abroad. The Government continued to imprison and detain Baha'is based on their religious beliefs. A 2001 Ministry of Justice report indicated that government policy aimed at the eventual elimination of the Baha'is as a community. [...]

Baha'is often experienced difficulty in obtaining passports."

Document(s): Open document

18.12.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Members of the country's religious minorities, including Baha'is, reported imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on their religious beliefs ("International Religious Freedom Report 2003") [#18505],  [ID 8885]

"The Constitution declares the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism." The Government restricts freedom of religion.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report.[1] Members of the country's religious minorities--including Baha'is, Jews, Christians, and Sunni and Sufi Muslims--reported imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on their religious beliefs.

Non-Muslim communities, some of which predate Islam, are present; however, government actions create a threatening atmosphere for some religious minorities, especially Baha'is, Jews, and evangelical Christians. [...]

Baha'is, Christians, Zoroastrians, Mandaeans, and Jews constitute less than 1 percent of the population. The largest non-Muslim minority is the Baha'i community, which has an estimated 300,000 to 350,000 adherents throughout the country. [...]

The Constitution forbids harassment of individuals according to their beliefs; however, the adherents of religions not specifically protected under the Constitution do not enjoy the freedom to practice. This restriction most acutely affects adherents of the Baha'i Faith, which the Government regards as a misguided or wayward Islamic sect with a political orientation that is antagonistic to the Iranian revolution; however, Baha'is view themselves as an independent religion with origins in the Shi'ite Islamic tradition. Government officials reportedly 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 Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance ("Ershad") and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) monitor religious activity closely. 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 Baha'is is a police function. [...]

The Government generally allows recognized religious minorities to conduct religious education for their adherents. This includes separate and privately funded Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian schools but does not include official Baha'i schools. [...]

The legal system also discriminates against religious minorities, who receive lower awards than Muslims in injury and death lawsuits and incur heavier punishments. The Guardian Council rejected a bill passed by the Majlis in November 2002 to equalize the payment of "blood money" between Muslim and non-Muslim men. All women and Baha'i men were excluded from the equalization provisions of the bill. [...]

The Baha'i Faith originated in the country during the 1840's as a reformist movement within Shi'a Islam. Baha'is are considered apostates because of their claim to a valid religious revelation subsequent to that of Mohammed, despite the fact that Baha'is do not consider themselves to be Muslim. The Baha'i Faith is defined by the Government as a political "sect," linked to the Pahlavi regime and, hence, counterrevolutionary.

In 1993 the UNSR reported the existence of a government policy directive regarding the Baha'is. According to the directive, the Supreme Revolutionary Council instructed government agencies to block the progress and development of the Baha'i community, expel Baha'i students from universities, cut Baha'i links with groups outside the country, restrict employment of Baha'is, and deny Baha'is "positions of influence," including in education. The Government claims that the directive is a forgery.

A 2001 Ministry of Justice report demonstrates that government policy continued to aim for the eventual elimination of the Baha'is as a community. It stated in part that Baha'is would only be permitted to enroll in schools if they did not identify themselves as Baha'is, and that Baha'is preferably should be enrolled in schools that have a strong and imposing religious ideology. The report also stated that Baha'is must be expelled from universities, either in the admission process or during the course of their studies, once it becomes known that they are Baha'is.

Baha'is may not teach or practice their faith or maintain links with co-religionists abroad. The fact that the Baha'i world headquarters (established by the founder of the Baha'i Faith in the 19th century, in what was then Ottoman-controlled Palestine) is situated in what is now the state of Israel, exposes Baha'is to government charges of "espionage on behalf of Zionism," in particular when caught communicating with or sending monetary contributions to the Baha'i headquarters.

Baha'is are banned from government employment. In addition, Baha'is regularly are denied compensation for injury or criminal victimization.

The Government allows recognized religious minorities to establish community centers and certain cultural, social, athletic, or charitable associations that they finance themselves. However, the Government prohibits the Baha'i community from official assembly or from maintaining administrative institutions. Because the Baha'i Faith has no clergy, the denial of the right to form such institutions and elect officers threatens its existence in the country.

Broad restrictions on Baha'is undermine their ability to function as a community. Baha'is repeatedly have been offered relief from mistreatment in exchange for recanting their faith. Baha'i cemeteries, holy places, historical sites, administrative centers, and other assets were seized shortly after the 1979 Revolution. None of the properties have been returned, and many have been destroyed.

Baha'is are not allowed to bury and honor their dead in keeping with their religious tradition. In 2002 the Government offered the Tehran Baha'i community a plot of land for use as a cemetery; however, the land was in the desert, with no access to water, making it impossible to perform Baha'i mourning rituals. In addition, the Government stipulated that no markers be put on individual graves and that no mortuary facilities be built on the site, making it impossible to perform a ceremonial burial in the Baha'i tradition.

Baha'i group meetings and religious education, which often take place in private homes and offices, are curtailed severely. Public and private universities continue to deny admittance to Baha'i students.

Over the past several years, the Government has taken a few positive steps in recognizing the rights of Baha'is, as well as other religious minorities. For example, in recent years the Government has eased some restrictions, permitting Baha'is to obtain food-ration booklets and send their children to public elementary and secondary schools. In 1999 President Khatami publicly stated that no one should be persecuted because of his or her religious beliefs. He vowed to defend the civil rights of all citizens, regardless of their beliefs or religion. Subsequently, the Expediency Council approved the "Right of Citizenship" bill, affirming the social and political rights of all citizens and their equality before the law. In February 2000, following approval of the bill, the head of the Judiciary issued a circular letter to all registry offices throughout the country allowing couples to be registered as husband and wife without being required to state their religious affiliation. The measure effectively permits the registration of Baha'i marriages. Previously, Baha'i marriages were not recognized by the Government, leaving Baha'i women open to charges of prostitution. Children of Baha'i marriages had not been recognized as legitimate and were therefore denied inheritance rights. [...]

According to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, since 1979 more than 200 Baha'is have been killed and 15 have disappeared and are presumed dead. The Government continued to imprison and detain Baha'is based on their religious beliefs.

The Government appears to keep a small number of Baha'is in arbitrary detention, some at risk of execution, at any given time. There reportedly were four Baha'is in prison for practicing their faith at the end of the period covered by this report, one facing a life sentence, two facing sentences of 15 years, and one a 4-year sentence. In addition, the Government harasses the Baha'i community by arresting Baha'is arbitrarily, charging them, and then releasing them, often without dropping the charges against them. Those with charges still pending against them fear arrest at any time.

According to Baha'i sources in the United States, 23 Baha'is from 18 different localities were arbitrarily arrested and detained for a short time since June 2002, simply because of their Baha'i faith. None of these individuals are currently in prison.

Manuchehr Khulusi was arrested for unknown reasons in 1999 and imprisoned and sentenced to death in 2000. During his imprisonment, Khulusi reportedly was interrogated, beaten, held in solitary confinement, and denied access to his lawyer. In 2002 the Revolutionary Court of Mashad abrogated the suspension of his imprisonment and sentenced him to 4 years in prison, once again due to his participation in Baha'i activities. He was re-imprisoned in March 2003.

In May 2003, Musa Talibi, who had originally been arrested in 1994 and sentenced to death for apostasy, was released from prison in Isfahan. Upon his release, Talibi received no official explanation as to his status. As in the case of Khulusi, he may be subject to re-arrest at any time.

Two Baha'is, Sirus Zabihi-Moghaddam and Hadayat Kashefi-Najafabadi, were tried in 1998 and later sentenced to death by a revolutionary court in Mashad for practicing their faith. In 2000 the sentences were reduced to 7 and 5 years, respectively. Kashefi-Najafabadi was released in October 2001, after serving 4 years of his sentence. Zabihi-Moghaddam, who originally was arrested in November 1997, was released in June 2002.

Government action against Baha'i education continued during the period covered by this report. In 1998 the Government raided more than 500 Baha'i homes and offices affiliated with the Baha'i Institute of Higher Education nationwide, arresting numerous members of the faculty and staff. Also known as the "Open University," the Baha'i community established the Institute shortly after the Revolution to offer higher educational opportunities to Baha'i students denied access to the country's high schools and universities. In mid-2002 the Institute's qualifying exams were disrupted when Revolutionary Guards raided eight exam sites in several different cities, including Shiraz and Mashhad. The exams and books of most students were confiscated. At the same time, 17 Baha'is attending a summer camp were arrested and questioned before being released.

The property rights of Baha'is generally are disregarded and they suffer frequent government harassment and persecution. Since 1979 the Government has confiscated large numbers of private and business properties belonging to Baha'is. According to Baha'i sources, an Islamic Revolutionary Court recently rejected the appeal of a Bahai for the return of his confiscated property on the grounds that he held Baha'i classes in his home and had a library of over 900 Baha'i books. Numerous Baha'i homes reportedly have been seized and handed over to an agency of Supreme Leader Khamene'i. Sources indicate that property was confiscated in Rafsanjan, Kerman, Marv-Dasht, and Yazd. Several Baha'i farmers in southern Iran were arrested, and one who was jailed for several days was only freed after paying a "fine." Authorities reportedly also confiscated Baha'i properties in Kata, forced several families to leave their homes and farmlands, imprisoned some farmers, and did not permit others to harvest their crops. In one instance, a Baha'i woman from Isfahan who legally traveled abroad found that her home had been confiscated when she returned home. The Government also has seized private homes in which Baha'i youth classes were held despite the owners having proper ownership documents. The Government's seizure of Baha'i personal property and its denial of Baha'i access to education and employment are eroding the economic base of the Baha'i community.

It has become somewhat easier for Baha'is to obtain passports. In addition, some Iranian embassies abroad do not require applicants to state a religious affiliation. In such cases, it is easier for Baha'is to renew passports. However, in February 2001, the Government denied Iranian entry visas to Baha'i delegation participants attending the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Conference for the World Conference on Racism, held in Tehran. The delegation was composed of American, Japanese, South Korean, and Indian nationals."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

The largest religious minority was the Baha'i faith ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11869],  [ID 8886]

"The largest religious minority was the Baha'i faith, estimated at 350,000 adherents throughout the country. Baha'is were considered apostates because of their claim to a religious revelation subsequent to that of the Prophet Mohammed. The Baha'i Faith was defined by the Government as a political "sect" linked to the Pahlavi monarchy and, therefore, as counterrevolutionary. Historically at risk, Baha'is often have suffered increased levels of mistreatment during times of political unrest.

Baha'is may not teach or practice their faith or maintain links with co-religionists abroad. The fact that the Baha'i world headquarters (established by the founder of the Baha'i Faith in the 19th century in what was then Ottoman-controlled Palestine) is situated in what is now the state of Israel exposed Baha'is to government charges of "espionage on behalf of Zionism."

According to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the U.S., since 1979, more than 200 Baha'is have been killed, and 15 disappeared and presumed dead. The Government continued to imprison and detain Baha'is based on their religious beliefs.

The property rights of Baha'is generally were disregarded. Properties belonging to the Baha'i community as a whole, such as places of worship and graveyards, were confiscated by the Government in the years after the 1979 revolution and, in some cases, defiled. The Government's seizure of Baha'i personal property, as well as its denial of access to education and employment, continued to erode the economic base of the Baha'i community.

Baha'i group meetings and religious education, which often took place in private homes and offices, were severely curtailed. Public and private universities continued to deny admittance to Baha'i students. The use of suspended sentences appears to be a government tactic to discourage Baha'is from taking part in monthly religious gatherings.

In September 1998, authorities conducted a nationwide raid of more than 500 homes and offices owned or occupied by Baha'is to disrupt the activities of the Baha'i Institute of Higher Learning. The Institute employed Baha'i faculty and professors, many of whom had been dismissed from teaching positions by the Government as a result of their faith, and conducted classes in homes or offices owned or rented by Baha'is. During the operation, which took place in at least 14 different cities, 36 faculty members were arrested, and a variety of personal property, including books, papers, and furniture, either were destroyed or confiscated. Government interrogators sought to force the detained faculty members to sign statements acknowledging that the Open University was defunct and pledging not to collaborate with it in the future. Baha'is outside the country reported that none of the 36 detainees would sign the document. All but 4 of the 36 persons detained during the September 1998 raid on the Baha'i Institute were released by November 1998.

In March 1999, Dr. Sina Hakiman, Farzad Khajeh Sharifabadi, Habibullah Ferdosian Najafabadi, and Ziaullah Mirzapanah, the four remaining detainees from the September 1998 raid, were convicted under Article 498 of the Penal Code and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 to 10 years. In July 1999, Mirzapanah, who had been sentenced to 3 years in prison, became ill and was hospitalized. Prison authorities allowed him to return home upon his recovery on the understanding that they could find him whenever necessary. The other three were released in December 1999.

The Government reportedly kept a small number of Baha'is in arbitrary detention, some at risk of execution, on an ongoing basis. With the release earlier this year of a prisoner originally sentenced to death in 1997, there were four Baha'is reported to be in prison for practicing their faith at year's end, two of them facing life sentences. In addition, the Government harassed the Baha'i community by arresting persons arbitrarily, charging and then releasing them, often without dropping the charges against them. According to credible foreign Baha'i sources, persecution of the community in general, and these practices in particular, seem to have intensified since the U.N. Commission on Human Rights ended formal monitoring of the human rights situation in the country via the UNSR in the spring.

Baha'is regularly were denied compensation for injury or criminal victimization. Government authorities claimed that only Muslim plaintiffs were eligible for compensation in these circumstances. Baha'is continued to be denied most forms of government employment. Thousands of Baha'is dismissed from government jobs in the early 1980s received no unemployment benefits and were required to repay the Government salaries or pensions from their first day of employment. Some of those unable to do so faced prison sentences.

The Government often prevented Baha'is from traveling outside the country.

However, over the past several years, the Government has taken some positive steps in recognizing the rights of Baha'is, as well as other religious minorities. In November 1999, President Khatami publicly stated that no one in the country should be persecuted because of his or her religious beliefs. He added that he would defend the civil rights of all citizens, regardless of their beliefs or religion. Subsequently the Expediency Council approved the "Right of Citizenship" bill, affirming the social and political rights of all citizens and their equality before the law. In February 2000, following approval of the bill, the head of the judiciary notified all registry offices in the country that they should permit couples to be registered as husband and wife without being required to state their religious affiliation. This measure effectively permitted the registration of Baha'i marriages in the country. Previously Baha'i marriages were not recognized by the Government, leaving Baha'i women open to charges of prostitution. Consequently, children of Baha'i marriages were not recognized as legitimate and were denied inheritance rights. At the end of the year, Baha'is could obtain ration booklets and send their children to public elementary and secondary schools.
The UNSR estimated the Christian community at approximately 300,000. Of these the majority were ethnic Armenians and Assyro-Chaldeans. Protestant denominations and evangelical churches also were active, although nonethnically based groups report restrictions on their activities. The UNSR reported that Christians were emigrating at an estimated rate of 15,000 to 20,000 per year."

Document(s): Open document

09.2002 -

University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Background Information ("00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Background Information") [ID 8889]

"The Baha’is of Iran are likely the most persecuted minority in the country. The Baha’i faith began as an offshoot of Shi’I Islam in Iran in the mid-1800s. Iran’s relatively small Baha’i community is distinct from the dominant Shi’i majority due to their religious (BELIEF = 3) and cultural (CUSTOM = 1) differences, but the Baha’i are Persian speaking (CULDIFX2 = 0) and of Persian origin (CULDIFX1 = 0). The Iranian Shi'i Muslim clergy considers the Baha'i to be heretics and has opposed them since the inception of the religion; accordingly, the Baha’I have been mistreated in Iran for over a century and a half, and especially in the post-1979 era.
The observance of the Baha’I faith is prohibited by the Iranian constitution (CULPO100 = 3), as is the celebration of holidays (CULPO400 = 3), openly Baha’I marriage (CULPO500 = 2), and organizations that promote Baha’I culture (CULPO600 = 3). In April 2001 however, the government announced the elimination of the requirement that citizens indicate religious affiliation at the time of registration of marriage, which may allow Bahai's to register their marriages officially, and thereby mitigate some of the legal obstacles that they face.
In the economic sphere, Baha’i face discrimination by the frequent confiscation or plunder of their homes by government officers (DMEVIC00 = 2). Seizure of personal property, in addition to the denial of access to education and employment (POLIC6/7/800 = 2), is eroding the economic base of the Baha'i community. And in the political realm, the Baha’I are prohibited from expressing themselves freely (POLIC100 = 2), and are restricted on their rights during judicial proceedings and on political organizing (POLIC3/400 = 2).
Coupled with this ongoing discrimination is an explicit policy of group repression by the Iranian government. Arrests, show trials, and systematic domestic spying are all frequent occurrences that have been levied against members of the Iranian Baha’i community (REP0100, REP0400, and REP1500 = 3). While no execution of an Iranian Baha’i has been reported since 1998, several Baha’i are currently imprisoned under the sentence of death. Baha'is were subject to arbitrary arrest and detention by Iranian authorities throughout the 1980s. Many of these detainees were tortured and executed. There were over 200 such executions during the 1980s and many more arrests. The Iranian government claims that these arrests and executions were for "criminal offenses" but it is far more likely that these "criminal offenses" were fabricated. Despite such brutal conditions, there are no reported instances of Baha’i protest or rebellion in recent years (PROT98-00 and REB98-00 = 0); this may be due to the Baha’i’s small numbers, primary urban dispersal (GROUPCON = 1), and the effectiveness of the Iranian government in curbing all forms of Baha’i association and organization."

Document(s): 00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Background Information

09.2002 -

University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment ("00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment") [ID 8890]

"The outlook for Baha’I in Iran is not good. Altough the general political situation in Iran has improved since the election of President Khatami in 1997, the status of the Baha'is has worsened. A covert university which offered the Baha'i the only possibility for higher education was closed in 1998, and as long as the government is controlled by a Shi'i Muslim clergy that considers them heretics, the Iranian populace will maintain its prejudices against the Baha'i. While nongovernmental organizations such as the Baha'i International Community (UN) and Baha’i World Headquarters (based in Haifa, Israel) provide ideological encouragement, there is little force behind their demands for better Baha’i treatment in Iran."

Document(s): 00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment

16.01.2002 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Baha’i community continues to be subject to harassment and discrimination in the areas of education, employment, travel, housing and enjoyment of cultural activities ("Report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, prepared by the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Maurice Danby Copithorne, pursuant to Commission resolution 2001/17 (E/CN.4/2002/42)") [#5732],  [ID 8891]

"74. It has been possible in the past year or so to discern some hopeful signs concerning the
treatment of the unrecognized minorities, especially the Baha’is. These signs have included the
commutation of death sentences (see annex II), the release of prisoners and the 1999 decision of
the Expediency Council declaring that “all Iranians enjoy the rights of citizenship irrespective of
their belief”, followed by measures removing the requirement of declaring one’s religious
affiliation when registering a marriage or the birth of a child or applying for a passport overseas.
The Special Representative also welcomes the statements by Iranian representatives in
international forums (the International Labour Organization, June 2000, and the Committee on
the Rights of the Child, May 2000), that their Government is concerned to provide for the rights
of all citizens, including those who are members of non-recognized minorities.
75. However, no further progress has come to the Special Representative’s attention. He
understands that the Baha’i community continues to be subject to harassment and discrimination
in the areas of, inter alia, education, employment, travel, housing and the enjoyment of cultural
activities. Seven members of the Baha’i community remain in prison, apparently because of
their faith, and Baha’i property continues to be subject to confiscation (see annex II).
76. In his interim report to the General Assembly (A/56/278, paras. 76-78), the Special
Representative reported that, as a complex has been built over the old Baha’i cemetery in
Tehran, the Iranian authorities had allotted other land for this purpose. It is now reported that the
land offered is in fact wasteland, with no access to water. Further, the community has been
denied permission to mark individual graves or to construct mortuary facilities.
77. Also of concern is the sentence issued by a judge of the Supreme Office of Control and
Review, Hamzih Khalili, on 15 September 2001, in the context of an appeal by the Muslim
owners of property rented to the Baha’is that was confiscated in 1998. According to an
unofficial translation to which the Special Representative has had access, the verdict declares
that the “seizure and confiscation of the properties belonging to the misguided sect of Baha’ism
is legally and religiously justifiable” and states that “the cultural activities of the misguided sect
of Baha’ism - as prescribed by the order of His Excellency the Supreme Leader - do need to be
seriously opposed”. This would seem to indicate that the 1991 memorandum on “The Baha’i
Question”, issued by the Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council and approved by the Supreme
Leader, is still in force and therefore that discrimination against Baha’is continues to be official
practice, a situation the Special Representative deeply deplores.
78. The Special Representative wishes to reiterate his appeal to the Government of Iran to
implement his outstanding recommendations (A/53/423 of 23 September 1998, para. 45), as well
as those of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance (see E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.2
of 9 February 1996)."

Document(s): sr-irn-0102.pdf
Open document

15.11.2001 - Source: Human Rights Documentation Exchange Centre/asylumlaw.org

Human Rights Documentation Exchange Centre/asylumlaw.org: ("Persecution/Conditions for Baha'i [HRDE Packet IRN 2] (Iran)") [#7815],  [ID 8893]

Document(s): Open document

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

ACCORD: However the situation of Baha'is after the Revolution improved, discrimination is widespread ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8892]

"There are still an estimated 300,000 Baha'is living in Iran. Undoubtedly the situation has changed since the early years after the Revolution and improved, but it is far from acceptable. On the positive side, some Baha’is are receiving passports, Baha’is are permitted to receive education, and there does not seem to be any systematic persecution of Baha’is compared to the level of the initial years of the revolution. However, the situation is still one of very serious concern and far from acceptable in terms of human rights compliance. There is still a great level of discrimination. Baha’is are not allowed to further their education above third grade of High School; have no access to special schools; are not permitted to have free entry and exit from Iran but
are only given a one-time exit; the 21 Baha’is in prison accused of apostasy or
espionage are still detained (11 since 1997); in August 1998 Ruhullah Rowhani, a Baha’i who was amongst the group of Baha’is in prison, was executed on the charge of having tried to convert a Muslim to the Bah’ai faith in prison. The Government of Iran denied that any execution had taken place but later informally confirmed to some Western Governments through their diplomatic representations abroad that the execution had taken place after confirmation of the death sentence by the Supreme Court. Discrimination is still occurring with regard to inheritance rights, blood money, compensation and other rights accorded to Muslims; prohibition of employment in Government service; no restoration of pension and social security rights to those who were dismissed; public accusation of espionage by the former Chief of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Yazdi; prohibition to profess their faith; prohibition of official gatherings and of the functioning of a Bah’ai National Assembly; no restoration of confiscated property. According to the Baha'i Universal House of Justice, on January 2000 there were still 11 Baha'is in prison because of their religious beliefs. Two have been sentenced to death and a third death sentence was expected to be issued. Concerning members of other communities who have close relations with Baha’is the picture is less clear. For instance, a person marrying a Baha’i will certainly have to go through an official bureaucratic process, thus the fact of the marriage will at least to a certain degree be public. The risk of persecution, however, depends on many other factors, e.g. how well-known the marriage is in the community. It should also be noted that it is very difficult and risky to obtain information on the situation of Baha’is in Iran. The Baha’i community is living under a lot of pressure and is
not keen to take any risks that might increase their current problems and jeopardize the slight improvements that have occurred in the past few years. In eligibility interviews with Baha’is there often is a basic inconsistency on the one hand between the bland, unemotional, uneventful narration and on the other hand totally contrasting reports by human rights groups and others who had visited Iran. Why then had some of the asylum seekers approaching UNHCR felt the need to do so as they did not describe any specific persecution and sometimes did not appear to be even aware of the discrimination their community was faced with?
One should keep in mind when assessing Bah’ai cases that the Bah’ai community has no interest in publicizing the real state of affairs as that could compromise slight improvements and possibly the situation of those Baha’is currently detained as well as those sentenced to death, for whom appeals for amnesty have been made. The statements by the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Galindo Pohl, in his report of 1991 are still applicable to the situation of Baha’is in general in Iran today ”[...] a great discriminatory attitude towards the Baha’i community persisted [...]. It was also asserted that in many cases administrative and judicial decisions concerning Baha’is were characterized by arbitrariness and that the degree of discrimination or tolerance towards
members of the community depended to a large extent on the attitude taken by
particular authorities or individual civil servants. Baha’is were generally considered as unprotected infidels outside of the protective precept of the Law and in cases brought before a court their rights depended on the individual judge’s good will.”
There may have been some slight improvements in the situation of the Baha’is, but it is still essential to be very liberal when deciding on Baha’i claims, as the situation in Iran definitely would justify that. Although in principle one should consider claims case by case, there is a wealth of information that should bring us to accept the near totality of Baha’i asylum claims.
When assessing a Baha’i claim it is also recommended to ascertain the true
membership of the applicant to the Baha’i community through presentation of a certificate from the relevant local Spiritual Assembly or the Baha’i Universal House of Justice. However, the fact that a Baha’i certificate is not available or that the Spiritual Assembly does not ”certify” a particular case does not necessarily mean that the applicant is not a Baha’i, nor that the individual would have no reasons to fear persecution in Iran on grounds of adherence to the Baha’i faith. What could be the case is that the Spiritual Assembly temporarily wishes to punish the Baha’i asylum seeker for particular activities that go against the faith. This was the case in the late 1980s when
the Baha’i Assembly refused to certify all those Baha’is who had left Iran legally with a passport. The justification offered was that in order to obtain a passport the applicant must have omitted to mention the Baha’i faith in the application for the passport, thus in the eyes of the Assembly denying the Baha’i faith. This denial of faith was considered more important than the fact that the person by applying for a passport and omitting to mention the word Baha’i might have managed to avoid persecution from a regime that
did persecute Baha’is."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

01.10.2000 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Danish Immigration Service: Baha'is do not have fundamental civil rights in Iranian society ("Report on fact-finding mission to Iran; 9 - 17 September 2000") [#9593],  [ID 8887]

"According to a Western embassy familiar with the Iranian Baha'i community, persons who belong
to that community do not have fundamental civil rights in Iranian society. Members of the
community are not publicly registered and therefore do not possess Iranian government documents
such as Iranian identity cards. Marriages between members of the Baha'i community cannot be
registered with the Iranian authorities. The only document which may be issued to a Baha'ist is an
Iranian passport. However, the passport does not contain any information about the person's
religious affiliation.
According to a source connected with the Iranian judicial system, members of the Iranian Baha'i
community cannot be said to have problems with the Iranian authorities to the same extent as they
had in the period just after the revolution, when Baha'ists were persecuted for their faith. However,
Report on fact-finding mission to Iran
the source stressed that the Baha'i leaders are under surveillance by the Iranian authorities.
According to the Western embassy, the Iranian authorities do not talk about Baha'ists or about
criminal cases against members of the community. The Iranian Supreme Court has confirmed
sentences of death on four Baha'ists. Those sentences are awaiting execution. Another Baha'ist was
released from prison in June/July 2000 for reasons which were not explained.
Baha'ists are not covered by the public education system. In spite of that fact, the Western embassy
said that Baha'ists are generally well educated. Such education takes place privately within an
informal system. The Baha'ists do not have permanent schools and their places of education change
as necessary. According to the source connected with the Iranian judicial system, Baha'ists do not
have access to the Iranian universities if they state that they belong to the Baha'i community.
With regard to employment, Baha'ists cannot obtain employment in public enterprises. They make
a living by commercial activities and by working for private firms.
Baha'ists are not permitted to proselytise. They therefore practise the Baha'i religion in private."

Document(s): Open document