Supporters of Ayatollah Boroujerdi demand investigation of Baha’i case Posted: 02 Jun 2009 02:45 PM PDT Editor’s Note: Ayatollah Siyyid Husayn Kazemeyni Boroujerdi is an Iranian cleric who advocates separation of religion and government. He first expressed his opposition to the Islamic government of Iran in 1994, and opposed the theocratic concept of rule or “guardianship” by Islamic clerics/jurists. Boroujerdi and many of his followers were arrested in Tehran in October 2006 following a clash between police and hundreds of his followers. On Monday, May 25, 2009, supporters of the imprisoned Ayatollah Boroujerdi condemned the ongoing suppression and violation of the rights of the Baha’i community in Iran. The following is a translation of a statement posted on their website: With escalation in detentions, arrests, and threats of execution towards our Iranian Baha’i countrymen in recent times, supporters of Mr. Boroujerdi demand an investigation and greater attention by the international community to the ongoing violation of the basic rights of the Baha’is in Iran. However, supporters of Mr. Boroujerdi believe that unfortunately, in dealings and the behind-the-scenes relations between nations, the issue of human rights is often sacrificed for temporary interests and political pragmatism. As such, raising awareness of this important issue falls on the shoulders of opposition groups, who, faced with great tyranny, have reechoed the suffocated cries of the shattered Iranian community. Since the beginning of Ahmadinejad’s administration, the systematic suppression of civil movements, heterodox intellectuals, and members of other religions has accelerated. Among these groups, the suppression of our Baha’i countrymen has been especially intense and malicious. The denial of the right to education for Baha’i students, the denial of basic civil rights, the repeated violation of their rights as citizens in the guise of “legal encounters,” and the issuance of excessively harsh sentences and baseless allegations such as bombings or engaging in terrorist acts in an environment of opacity devoid of proper legal recourse have all painted a bleak picture for the future of our fellow Baha’i countrymen in Iran. In addition to believing in freedom of religious expression and the freedom of worship by other religions, the supporters of Mr. Boroujerdi express their sympathy for the Baha’i community, and urge full implementation of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and full observance of those provisions in Iran. [Source: http://bameazadi19.blogspot.com/2009/05/blog-post_25.html. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]

32 Questions Posted: 02 Jun 2009 12:54 PM PDT Iran Press Watch has recently received the attached document which lists 32 questions that the celebrated Haji Mirza Haydar-Ali Isfahani, a prominent Baha’i during the time of Baha’u'llah and Abdu’l-Baha, had composed. These questions were intended to engaged the thinking Muslims in better appreciating issues raised by the Baha’i faith. Iran Press Watch hopes to be able to publish a translation of these questions in a near future (but should one of our esteemed readers wish to offer a summary translation, that would be most welcome). 32 Questions (Persian) [PDF]

Iran’s Official Propaganda about the Baha’is Posted: 02 Jun 2009 09:29 AM PDT Like all other embassies, the Iranian embassy in Greece also publishes information for the benefit of those wishing to visit Iran or learn about Iran. This document is available at: http://www.iranembassy.gr/eng/files/HumanRightsinIran.pdf. A copy of this pdf file is attached for ease of reference. Interestingly enough, on pages 38 and 39 there is a section on the Baha’i community. Judge for yourself if anything written in this official document of the Iranian government is true about the Baha’is of that country: Bahá’ís in Iran Just like other countries, only a limited number of religions have been announced as official Religions in Iran. Although Bahaism is not considered an official religion, its followers enjoy social, civic and citizenship rights. Bahaism has not been identified by any Islamic country and the Organization of Islamic Countries. Some aspects relating to the citizenship rights of Bahais are as follows: The followers of this cult have their own cemeteries throughout the country and their dead are buries according to their customs and traditions. They can enroll in schools just like others. They can travel inside and outside Iran just like other citizens and their visa are issued freely. Bahais teachings start at the age of four. For this purpose, an institute has been formed teaching all Bahá’ís of all ages. Geriatric hospitals have been created for elderly Bahá’ís. Economically speaking, they can get work and profession permits and there are no poor Bahá’ís in Iran. They may travel abroad to do business and they are provided with equal banking and commerce facilities. They may very well go to universities to continue their education. Contrary to what the fans of this cult claim overseas, every year tens of Bahá’ís graduate from universities. Download: Official Document

3 Baha’i Prisoners Released in Shiraz Posted: 02 Jun 2009 12:43 AM PDT Editor’s Note: Due to recent modifications to the site design, our editorial staff overlooked posting of the following report. Our apologies. Several days ago, Iran Press Watch learned that the authorities in Shiraz had agreed to release three Baha’i prisoners, namely, Keyvan Karami, Farham Masumi and Vahdat Dana on condition of bail of about $100,000 for each. Due to delicate and complex situation in Shiraz, Iran Press Watch decided against sharing that news, but our editorial staff was thrilled to learn that today, May 22, the three aforementioned Baha’is have been released and reunited with their families. The attached picture was taken upon the release of the three Baha’is. More details will be shared in a near future.

Three Baha’is Summoned to Intelligence Ministry in Urumiyeh Posted: 02 Jun 2009 12:35 AM PDT On Monday, May 25, 2009, the usually reliable HRA site reported: Three Baha’is who reside in Urumiyeh [northwest of Iran] have been summoned to the Information Bureau of the Ministry of Intelligence. Mr. Faraez Reza’i, Akbar Aghdasi, and Ahdollah Fazli, are three former members of the local administrative body of the Baha’is in Urumiyeh and have been summoned to appear in the above Bureau today, May 25, 2009. It is not clear what has prompted the authorities to call them in for questioning, but it is likely that this event is a continuation of pressures applied to Baha’is of Semnan and Mashhad to provide a statement that they would not participate in Baha’i activities. [Source: http://hra-iran.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1137:45435&catid=84:502&Itemid=219. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]