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Iran Press Watch: The Baha'i Community

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Clear breach of human dignity in condemning the leaders of the Iranian Baha’i community Posted: 17 Aug 2010 01:58 PM PDT HRA News Agency Monday 25 Mordad 1389 [16 August 2010] at 7:49 AM HRANA News – This morning, the Secretariat of the Group of Human Rights Activists in Iran issued a press release asking for recognition of the human and citizenship rights of Iranian Baha’is, and immediate and unconditional release of the leaders of this religious minority. The text of the press release is as follows: Press Release Seven leaders of the Baha’i Community of Iran, after a two-year detainment, were condemned to 20 years of imprisonment in a questionable procedure, based on a collection of charges such as “espionage”, “insulting sanctities”, “propaganda against the regime” and “promoting corruption on earth”, by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court. At the same time, the accused had refused to attend the hearing (held on 22 Khordad [12 June] of this year) because it was a closed and illegal procedure. These sentences for Fariba Kamal-Abadi, Mahvash Sabet, Jamal’uddin Khanjani, Afif Na’imi, Saeed Reza’i, Behrooz Tavakkoli and Vahid Tizfahm were handed down after a history in which in the year 1362 [1983-4] all Baha’i elected and appointed institutions had been banned, and most of the members of the three National Spiritual Assemblies that managed the affairs of Baha’is had been executed. A temporary body called the “Yaran [Friends] of Iran” was then formed with the full knowledge of the Iranian government, and the seven above-named citizens very openly attended to the basic affairs of the three hundred thousand members of the Iranian Baha’is, the largest religious minority in the country. Aside from the fact that the charges were all baseless, the condemnation came following more than two years after the illegal arrest of the seven leaders who manage the affairs of the Baha’i community, the largest minority in the country; during their detention they were deprived of the most basic human and legal rights for two years. Apart form the length of the temporary detainment, all seven endured froms of torture, and were kept in enclosures such as individual or joint cells, separate from other prisoners, for the duration. These prisoners of conscience were also deprived of free access to their lawyers, though reports of inappropriate physical conditions of some of them also circulated. The Group of Human Rights Activists in Iran, along with other human rights activists, condemns the judicial-security process, and not only considers the arrest and the sentence for these citizens of Iran to be illegal, prejudiced and lacking in the most basic legal and human acceptability, but also believes them to be the embodiment of a breach of generosity, of human dignity and of the foundation of freedom of speech. This Group charges the government of Iran — and specifically the judicial and security elements — with doublespeak [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doublespeak]. It emphasizes the citizenship rights of Iranian Baha’is, recalling Mr Larijani’s acknowledgement of these rights for Iranian Baha’is at the United Nations Council of Human Rights meeting. The Group of Human Rights Activists in Iran believes that the issue of the seven leaders of Baha’i Community is not separate from the removal of human and citizenship rights from the believers of the Baha’i religion; rights that have been a steady factor in evaluating the condition of human rights in Iran. The religious government in Iran has executed dozens of Baha’i citizens in prisons, has participated in the destruction of their homes, and has taken steps to destroy their cemeteries. To the long list of the government’s steps to suppress Baha’i belief — and consequently the breach of freedom of thought, of speech and of religion — should be added prevention of expressing views and thoughts, making it difficult to bury deceased Baha’is, prevention from education, arrests and harassment, issuance of heavy sentences, insulting the sanctity of their religion… In this connection, the Group of Human Rights Activists in Iran demands recognition of the human and citizenship rights of Baha’is in Iran, immediate and unconditional release of the leaders of this religious community and the re-establishment of their dignity, and/or the holding of an open court in the context of legal procedures along with documents, as an inalienable right. This Group calls on the international community to show a united and persistent front on behalf of the restoration of these rights. Secretariat of the Group of Human Rights Activists in Iran — 25 Mordad 1389 [16 August 2010] Translation by Iran Press Watch Source: http://www.hra-news.org/51/1389-01-27-05-24-07/3395-1.html

German government criticizes 20 year prison sentence Posted: 13 Aug 2010 12:02 PM PDT the Foreign Office of the Federal Government of Germany The commissioner for human rights and humanitarian aid in the Foreign Office of the Federal Government of Germany, Markus Löning, has declared that the “prison sentences against the Baha’i leaders are a massive setback for all those who engage themselves for the promotion of human dignity and human rights in Iran. There are major doubts as to the compliance with the basic legal rights during the judicial proceedings. I therefore strongly appeal to the relevant authorities to annul yesterday’s judgment and to provide a fair and transparent court procedure.” (10 August 2010) See: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/de/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2010/100809__MRHH__kritisiert__Haftstrafen__Iran.html Source: http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html

Amnesty International: SENTENCES AGAINST JAILED IRANIAN RELIGIOUS MINORITY LEADERS CONDEMNED Posted: 13 Aug 2010 11:56 AM PDT Amnesty International Amnesty International has condemned the sentencing of seven members of Iran’s Baha’i religious minority to 20 years in jail on a series of politically motivated charges. The five men and two women, leaders of the Baha’i community in Iran who were arrested over two years ago, were convicted on Saturday 7 August of crimes including “espionage for Israel”, “insulting religious sanctities” and “propaganda against the system” by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm have denied all the charges against them and lawyers for the seven have indicated that they will appeal. “This verdict is a sad and damning manifestation of the deeply-rooted discrimination against Baha’is by the Iranian authorities,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa deputy director. “These seven Baha’i leaders, some of whom are elderly, are prisoners of conscience jailed solely on account of their beliefs or peaceful activities on behalf of the persecuted Baha’i minority.” “The seven were held for months without charge before being subjected to a parody of a trial.. They must be immediately released.” The seven Baha’is, who were arrested between March and May 2008, faced several postponements to their trial while they remained in detention. Their lawyers were rarely allowed to visit their clients and were initially denied access to the court room. One of their lawyers, Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, has been unable to return to Iran since June 2009. In February 2010, she told Amnesty International that the seven’s file was empty and the accusations baseless. The Iranian authorities blamed the Baha’is, among other groups, for orchestrating much of the unrest that took place on the Ashoura religious holiday in December 2009. The Iranian authorities blamed the Baha’is, among other groups, for orchestrating much of the unrest that took place on the Ashoura religious holiday in December 2009, the last mass demonstration that took in the aftermath of Iran’s disputed presidential election in June 2009. The Baha’i community denies any such involvement. “The authorities tried to make the Baha’i minority scapegoats for the unrest when there is no evidence that they were involved,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. The Baha’i religion is not recognized in Iran’s Constitution and Baha’is have no legal protection. The Iranian authorities also deny Baha’is equal rights to education, work and a decent standard of living by restricting their access to employment and benefits such as pensions. Iran’s 300,000-strong Baha’i community are not permitted to meet, hold religious ceremonies or practice their religion with other believers. Source: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/heavy-sentences-against-jailed-iranian-baha’i-religious-minority-leaders-condemned-

Buzek on the sentencing of Baha’i leaders in Iran Posted: 13 Aug 2010 11:50 AM PDT The President of the European Parliament Brussels – 11/08/2010 The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, is deeply troubled and concerned about the reports of the sentencing of seven religious leaders of the Baha’i faith in Iran. According to news reports, an Iranian court has sentenced seven leaders of the Baha’i faith to 20 years in prison. Jerzy Buzek, The President of European Parliament “I am very concerned at this news. The sentences against the representatives of the Baha’i faith are a shocking signal and an immense disappointment for all who have hoped for an improvement of the human rights situation in Iran. We have strong doubts about the fairness and transparency of the judicial procedure and I deeply deplore this. Therefore I call on the relevant authorities to allow a fair and open appeal procedure. Iran has committed itself to international standards and I underline that this includes also the respect and protection of religious freedom.” The European Parliament and President Buzek will continue to closely observe this issue. * * * For further information: Jens Pottharst Press Officer Mobile: +32 498 981 348 Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/president/view/en/press/press_release/2010/2010-August/press_release-2010-August-7.html

UK Foreign Secretary: Sentence of Baha’i leaders “completely unacceptable” Posted: 13 Aug 2010 11:42 AM PDT UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office 11 August 2010 Foreign Secretary William Hague has made a statement following the sentencing of 7 spiritual leaders of the Bahá’í faith to 20 years in prison. On hearing this news, the Foreign Secretary said: UK Foreign Secretary William Hague “I was appalled to hear of the 20 year prison sentence handed out to the seven spiritual leaders of the Bahá’í faith in Iran. This is a shocking example of the Iranian state’s continued discrimination against the Bahá’ís. It is completely unacceptable. The Iranian judiciary has repeatedly failed to allay international and domestic concerns that these seven men and women are guilty of anything other than practising their faith. It is clear that from arrest to sentencing, the Iranian authorities did not follow even their own due process, let alone the international standards to which Iran is committed. The accused were denied proper access to lawyers, and there is evidence that the trial was neither fair nor transparent. I call on the Iranian authorities urgently to consider any appeal against this decision, and to cease the harassment of the Bahá’í community. I further call on the Iranian Government to ensure that the rights of all individuals are fully protected, without discrimination, and that it fulfils its obligations to its own citizens as set out in the Iranian constitution.” Source: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=22683999&t=Latest+news

USCIRF Condemns 20-Year Sentence of Baha’i Prisoners Posted: 13 Aug 2010 11:32 AM PDT United States Commission on International Religious Freedom August 11, 2010 WASHINGTON, DC – Seven Baha’i leaders who have been in prison for two years were sentenced to 20 years in prison by an Iranian court, according to Baha’i activists who spoke with the media. The five Baha’i men and two women had been charged with several baseless and unsubstantiated crimes which carry the death penalty, including espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order, and spreading “corruption on earth.” Their attorneys are in the process of filing an appeal. “This is an outrageous miscarriage of justice and one more example of how the Iranian regime is a gross violator of human rights and religious freedoms,” said Leonard Leo, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) chair. “The prosecutions and sentences are, pure and simple, politically and religiously motivated acts, and the Commission calls for the unconditional release of these seven individuals.” The Iran Sanctions Act, signed into law by President Obama roughly a month ago, for the first time imposes sanctions on Iran because it continues to engage in serious, systematic, and ongoing violations of human rights, including suppression of freedom of expression and religious freedom. USCIRF urges the Obama Administration to immediately implement sanctions on human rights and religious freedom violators included in the Iran Sanctions Act and urge our European and other allies to do the same. The United States also should make use of another available and important tool, the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), to impose additional sanctions for the government of Iran’s violations of religious freedom or belief. Each year, since 1999, the State Department has designated Iran a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, due to its systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. As a CPC, Iran can be subjected to economic and other sanctions under the IRFA. Despite being designated a CPC for 10 years, no IRFA-related sanction has been imposed on Iran, with the U.S. government relying on existing sanctions already in place. USCIRF concludes that the rapidly deteriorating conditions for religious freedom justify specific, additional sanctions under IRFA. “Sanctions against religious freedom violators signals the United States’ solidarity with the Iranian people and sends a stark message to the Iranian regime that it should end more than 30 years of repression,” said Mr. Leo. In recent years, religious minorities, particularly Baha’is, as well as Christians and Sufi Muslims, have suffered intensified physical attacks, harassment, detention, arrests, and imprisonment. Heightened anti-Semitism and repeated Holocaust denial threats and activities by senior government officials have increased fear among Iran’s Jewish community. The government continues to impose lengthy prison sentences on prominent reformers from the Shia majority community, many of whom have been tried on charges of “insulting Islam,” criticizing the Islamic Republic, and publishing materials that allegedly deviate from Islamic standards. USCIRF highlighted these abuses in a National Press Club seminar in May and has worked on the Iranian persecution of Baha’is in the past. USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF’s principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress. To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at tcarter@uscirf.gov or (202) 523-3257. Source: http://www.uscirf.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3159&Itemid=1

Nederland bezorgd over lot Baha’i-leiders Iran Posted: 13 Aug 2010 11:27 AM PDT Nieuwsbericht | 12 augustus 2010 | Mensenrechten Nederland is zeer bezorgd over het lot van 7 leiders van de Baha’i-gemeenschap in Iran. De zeven worden ervan beschuldigd ‘vijanden van God’ te zijn en zouden volgens recente berichten tot 20 jaar gevangenisstraf zijn veroordeeld. Nederland is bezorgd over de gebrekkige uitvoering van de rechtsgang in de zaak van de 7 Baha’i-leiders en vreest dat de arrestatie en veroordeling voortkomt uit discriminatie op basis van geloofsovertuiging. De Baha’i zijn een religieuze minderheid in Iran die sedert de islamitische revolutie in 1979 vanwege de geloofsovertuiging wordt vervolgd. De afgelopen tijd is deze vervolging verder toegenomen. “Dat deze mensen veroordeeld lijken te zijn vanwege hun geloof is schokkend” aldus Minister Verhagen. “Ik roep de Iraanse autoriteiten op zich te houden aan hun internationale verplichtingen op mensenrechtengebied. De Baha’i-leiders hebben recht op een eerlijk proces en dienen zo snel mogelijk vrijgelaten te worden.” De zeven, Behrouz Tavakoli, Saeid Rezaie, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naemi en Mahvash Sabet, zitten al sinds mei 2008 gevangen. Ze zijn officieel aangeklaagd wegens spionage en activiteiten tegen de nationale veiligheid. Source: http://www.minbuza.nl/nl/Actueel/Nieuwsberichten/2010/08/Nederland_bezorgd_over_lot_Baha’i_leiders_Iran

EU Declaration by HR Ashton on sentencing of seven Baha’i leaders Posted: 13 Aug 2010 11:21 AM PDT European Union Summary: 12 August 2010, Brussels – Declaration by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton on behalf of the European Union on the sentencing of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran. The European Union expresses its serious concern about the sentencing of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran to 20 years imprisonment and calls for their immediate release. The verdict appears to be based on the defendants belonging to a religious minority and the judicial process was seriously flawed, respecting neither Iran’s international commitments under the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) nor its national legislation regarding fair trial rights. The EU recalls that freedom of thought, conscience and religion are fundamental rights which must be guaranteed under all circumstances according to article 18 of the ICCPR which the Islamic Republic of Iran has signed up to and ratified. The EU calls on Iran to put an end to the persecution of the Baha’i community. Ref: EU10-171EN EU source: European Union UN forum: Date: 12/8/2010 Source: http://www.europa-eu-un.org/articles/en/article_10020_en.htm

U.S.A. joins Netherlands, U.K. and European Union in chorus of condemnation at prison sentences Posted: 13 Aug 2010 10:48 AM PDT 13 August 2010 GENEVA — The United States of America has said it “strongly condemns” the sentencing of seven Iranian Baha’i leaders to 20 years imprisonment. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the act as a “violation of Iran’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” In a statement dated 12 August, Secretary Clinton said that the United States is “deeply concerned with the Iranian government’s continued persecution of Baha’is and other religious minority communities in Iran.” “Freedom of religion is the birthright of people of all faiths and beliefs in all places,” she said. “The United States is committed to defending religious freedom around the world, and we have not forgotten the Baha’i community in Iran.” “We will continue to speak out against injustice and call on the Iranian government to respect the Yaran: Seven Baha'i leaders who have been in prison in Tehran. fundamental rights of all its citizens in accordance with its international obligations,” said Secretary Clinton. The statement from the United States came as reports reached the Baha’i International Community that the seven Baha’i leaders have been transferred from Tehran’s Evin Prison, where they had been incarcerated for more than two years. They have been taken to Gohardasht Prison – also known as Rajaishahr Prison – in Karaj, some 20 kilometers west of the Iranian capital. Other support Support for the prisoners has also been expressed by the European Union, in a statement made by Baroness Catherine Ashton, the E.U.’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. “The European Union expresses its serious concern about the sentencing of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran to 20 years imprisonment and calls for their immediate release,” the declaration said. “The verdict appears to be based on the defendants belonging to a religious minority and the judicial process was seriously flawed, respecting neither Iran’s international commitments under the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) nor its national legislation regarding fair trial rights.” “The EU recalls that freedom of thought, conscience and religion are fundamental rights which must be guaranteed under all circumstances according to article 18 of the ICCPR which the Islamic Republic of Iran has signed up to and ratified.” “The EU calls on Iran to put an end to the persecution of the Baha’i community,” said Baroness Ashton. In the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was “appalled” to hear of the prison sentences, describing them as a “shocking example of the Iranian state’s continued discrimination against the Baha’is.” “It is completely unacceptable,” said Mr. Hague in a statement released on Wednesday. “The Iranian judiciary has repeatedly failed to allay international and domestic concerns that these seven men and women are guilty of anything other than practicing their faith. It is clear that from arrest to sentencing, the Iranian authorities did not follow even their own due process, let alone the international standards to which Iran is committed. The accused were denied proper access to lawyers, and there is evidence that the trial was neither fair nor transparent.” “I call on the Iranian authorities urgently to consider any appeal against this decision, and to cease the harassment of the Baha’i community. I further call on the Iranian Government to ensure that the rights of all individuals are fully protected, without discrimination, and that it fulfils its obligations to its own citizens as set out in the Iranian constitution,” said Mr. Hague. The Netherlands‘ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Verhagen, expressed his country’s concern at “the poor execution of the judicial process in the case of the seven Baha’i leaders” and its fears that the arrest and sentence is “based solely on discrimination of religious belief.” “That these people seem to be condemned because of their faith is shocking,” said Mr. Verhagen. “I urge the Iranian authorities to abide by their international human rights obligations. The Baha’i leaders have a right to a fair trial and they must be released as soon as possible.” Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the President of the European Parliament earlier expressed strong statements of concern at news that Iran’s seven Baha’i leaders have each received prison sentences of 20 years, as reported by the Baha’i World News Service on 11 August. Human rights organizations Human rights organizations – including Amnesty International, FIDH and Human Rights Watch – have issued calls for the prisoners to be released, for the judgment to be annulled, and for Iran to demonstrate that the trial was fair and in accordance with international standards. “This is an outrageous miscarriage of justice and one more example of how the Iranian regime is a gross violator of human rights and religious freedoms,” said Leonard Leo, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. “The prosecutions and sentences are, pure and simple, politically and religiously motivated acts, and the Commission calls for the unconditional release of these seven individuals.” Diane Ala’i, representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva said the actions of the Iranian authorities, against individuals who are innocent of any crime, represent an “outrageous travesty of justice that defies adequate description.” “At every stage of the case – from their illegal detention and the brutal conditions of their confinement, through the trial, and now to a completely unlawful imprisonment – not even the most basic and fundamental norms of justice were respected.” “We welcome the message coming loud and clear from governments and human rights organizations throughout the world. It is time for Iran to right the wrongs it has done.” (The International Reaction page of the Baha’i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals. The Media Reports page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world.) Source: http://news.bahai.org/story/788

U.S. Secretary of States: deeply concerned with the persecution of Baha’is in Iran Posted: 12 Aug 2010 11:52 PM PDT Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Washington, DC August 12, 2010 The United States is deeply concerned with the Iranian government’s continued persecution of Baha’is and other religious minority communities in Iran. This week, seven Baha’i leaders, who were incarcerated and held for nearly two years without due process, were each sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. The United States strongly condemns this sentencing as a violation of Iran’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Freedom of religion is the birthright of people of all faiths and beliefs in all places. The United States is committed to defending religious freedom around the world, and we have not forgotten the Baha’i community in Iran. We will continue to speak out against injustice and call on the Iranian government to respect the fundamental rights of all its citizens in accordance with its international obligations. Source: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/08/145953.htm

Transfer of the seven Baha’i leaders to Raja’i prison in Karaj (Gohardasht)

International outcry at prison sentences for Iranian Baha'i leaders


GENEVA, 11 August (BWNS) – Reports that seven Iranian Baha'i leaders have each received prison sentences of 20 years have been met with condemnation from governments and human rights organizations around the world.

Australia, Canada, France, Germany – and the President of the European Parliament – have all expressed strong statements of concern.

They are calling for the prisoners to be released on bail, for an annulment of the judgment, and for Iran to demonstrate that the trial was fair and in accordance with international standards.

Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Cannon, said that his country was "deeply disturbed" by the sentences that were "passed without either written judgments or due process." He urged Iran to grant bail to the prisoners.

Germany described the outcome of the trial as a "massive setback for all those who engage themselves for the promotion of human dignity and human rights in Iran."

Markus Loning, commissioner for human rights and humanitarian aid at Germany's Foreign Office, said Iran must annul the judgment and "provide a fair and transparent court procedure."

"There are major doubts as to the compliance with the basic legal rights during the judicial proceedings," he said.

France expressed its "consternation" at the 20-year jail term.

At a press briefing, Christine Fages, a French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, stated that Iranian authorities should stop persecuting Baha'is and other religious minorities and "respect the freedom of religion and conscience as defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran has freely signed up."

Australia has also shared its deep concern at the sentences. "We continue to call on Iran to ensure that all trials are fair and transparent and are conducted in accordance with Iran's international obligations," said a spokesman for the Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In a statement issued today, the President of the European Parliament – Jerzy Buzek – called the sentences "a shocking signal and an immense disappointment for all who have hoped for an improvement of the human rights situation in Iran."

"Iran has committed itself to international standards and I underline that this includes also the respect and protection of religious freedom," he said.

International human rights organizations have additionally joined the chorus of protest against the reported prison sentences.

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said the sentencing of the Baha'i leaders was "politically motivated, discriminatory, unjust, and illegal under Iranian and international law."

"They have been sentenced for being Baha'is, nothing else, and their incarceration thus expresses a policy of oppression of the Baha'i Faith and its members," said Aaron Rhodes, spokesperson for the Campaign.

Amnesty International described the Baha'i leaders as "prisoners of conscience jailed solely on account of their beliefs or peaceful activities on behalf of the persecuted Baha'i minority."

"The seven were held for months without charge before being subjected to a parody of a trial. They must be immediately released," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa deputy director.

In a statement, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Iranian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LDDHI) asked for the Iranian government to "act in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as international human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Human Rights Watch demanded the Iranian judiciary to release the seven immediately "given that no evidence appears to have ever been presented against them, and they have not been given a fair and public trial."

"For more than two years now the Iranian authorities have utterly failed to provide the slightest shred of evidence indicating any basis for detaining these seven Baha'i leaders, let alone sentencing them to 20 years in prison," said Joe Stork, deputy director of the Middle East division at Human Rights Watch.

Iran should take concrete steps that show it is committed to protecting the fundamental rights of Baha'is, said Mr. Stork

"The immediate and unconditional release of the seven Baha'i leaders would be a good start," he said.

Diane Ala'i, Baha'i representative to the United Nations in Geneva, said the Baha'i International Community deeply appreciates the committed support offered so far by governments and human rights organizations.

"These statements demonstrate that increasing numbers of people of all races and religions throughout the world want to see justice done in Iran – not just for the Baha'is but all of its citizens who face gross human rights violations," said Ms. Ala'i.

"For how much longer will the Iranian authorities remain oblivious to these upraised voices?" she said.



To read the article online and view pictures, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/story/787

For the Baha'i World News Service home page, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/

Iran Press Watch: The Baha'i Community

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Transfer of the seven Baha’i leaders to Raja’i prison in Karaj (Gohardasht) Posted: 09 Aug 2010 11:20 PM PDT After announcement of sentence of 20 years imprisonment each: Transfer of the seven Baha’i leaders to Raja’i prison in Karaj (Gohardasht) Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Yesterday afternoon, after the announcement of a sentence of 20 years imprisonment for each of them, the seven former leaders of the Baha’i community of Iran were transferred to Raja’i prison in the city of Karaj (Gohardasht) [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gohardasht_Prison]. The individuals are Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr.Vahid Tizfahm. There has not been any report about a transfer for Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi or Mrs. Mahvash Sabet; however, it appears that all seven have been transferred to this prison. After spending more than two years in temporary detention, yesterday the seven former leaders of the Baha’i community, who were known as “friends of Iran” [Yaran], were sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment. Six of the seven Baha’is have been in custody since May 14th 2008, when they were arrested in a raid of police forces on their homes; the seventh, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, was arrested on March 5th 2008 in Mashhad. It should be mentioned that Raja’i prison in Mashhad has frequently been criticized by human rights advocates for its unsanitary environment, lack of medical services, crowded prison cells and unfair treatment of inmates by guards. Before this but after the recent execution of five political prisoners in Iran, some political prisoners and journalists — such as Ahmad Zeyd Abadi, Esa Saharkhiz, Masood Bastani and Heshmat-Allah Tabarzadi — were also transferred from Evin prison to Raja’i prison in Karaj. Translation by Iran Press Watch Source: http://www.chrr.biz/spip.php?article10596, also see: http://www.iranpresswatch.org/fa/post/1042

eports say Iran's seven Baha'i leaders "sentenced"

 

 

NEW YORK, 8 August (BWNS) - The Baha'i International Community has received reports indicating that seven Iranian Baha'i leaders have each received jail sentences of 20 years.

 

The two women and five men have been held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since they were arrested in 2008 - six of them on 14 May and one of them two months earlier.

 

"If this news proves to be accurate, it represents a deeply shocking outcome to the case of these innocent and harmless people," said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.

 

"We understand that they have been informed of this sentence and that their lawyers are in the process of launching an appeal," said Ms. Dugal.

 

The prisoners - Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm - were all members of a national-level group that helped see to the minimum needs of Iran's 300,000-strong Baha'i community, the country's largest non-Muslim religious minority.

 

The trial of the seven consisted of six brief court appearances which began on 12 January this year after they had been incarcerated without charge for 20 months, during which time they were allowed barely one hour's access to their legal counsel. The trial ended on 14 June.

 

The defendants were accused of espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order, and the establishment of an illegal administration, among other allegations. All the charges are completely and categorically denied.

 

To read this article online and view the photograph, go to:

http://news.bahai.org/story/786

 

For the Baha'i World News Service home page, go to:

http://news.bahai.org/

 

 

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Copyright 2010 by the Baha'i World News Service. Stories and photographs produced by the Baha'i World News Service may be freely reprinted, re-emailed, re-posted to the World Wide Web and otherwise reproduced by any individual or organization as long as they are attributed to the Baha'i World News Service. For more information, go tohttp://news.bahai.org/terms-of-use/

 

 

Detention extended for seven Iranian Baha'i leaders


GENEVA, 5 August (BWNS)  – The imprisonment of seven Baha'i leaders in Iran has been extended for a further two months, the Baha'i International Community has learned.

The trial of the seven concluded on 14 June. No verdict has yet been given.

"These innocent Baha'is have now been held for more than two years under a series of successive orders for their 'temporary' detention, which by law must not exceed two months," said Diane Ala'i, representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.

On 24 July, two days after the most recent two-month prison term concluded, the defense attorneys for the seven once again issued a formal request that the prisoners be released on bail, as permitted under Iranian law.

Since then, the judge presiding over the case has told the prisoners that their detention had once again been extended for two months.

The attorneys have now submitted a written objection to the extension, said Ms. Alai.

"There is no legal basis whatsoever to refuse the request that the defendants be released on bail," she said.

The seven prisoners are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. They categorically deny charges of espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order, and "corruption on earth," among other allegations.

Before their incarceration, the seven attended to the spiritual and social needs of Iran's Baha'i community, which numbers more than 300,000. They have been held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since they were arrested in 2008 - six of them on 14 May and one of them two months earlier.

Their trial consisted of six brief court appearances which began on 12 January after they had been imprisoned without charge for 20 months, during which time they were allowed barely one hour's access to their legal counsel.

"That these people – held purely for their religious beliefs – have now entered the third year of their so-called 'temporary' incarceration under such inhumane conditions constitutes a deplorable violation of their human rights," said Ms. Ala'i.

"The Iranian government must know that its actions are under close international scrutiny and that it is held wholly responsible for this terrible injustice," she said "Once again, we call upon the authorities in Iran to take immediate action to release them."


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The Baha'is of Ivel: Undaunted Spirit


GENEVA, 11 July (BWNS) – Following the demolition of Baha'i homes in the Iranian village of Ivel – reported last week – there is another story that must also be told: that of sympathetic villagers who have commiserated with their Baha'i neighbors over the injustices they have been forced to endure.

It is also the story of an undaunted spirit and a commitment to social good that continues to enable the Baha'is to transcend their prolonged persecution and be active participants in the social and economic development of their village.


Service and persecution

In its earliest days, Ivel was the summer residence for sheep farmers from the surrounding region of Mazandaran. There have been Baha'is in the village for more than a century and a half. Indeed, since the years immediately following the establishment of their Faith in mid-19th century Iran, the Baha'is have comprised about half of Ivel's total population. All the while, they have lived side by side with their Muslim neighbors in comparative harmony.

Unfortunately, however, outside elements strongly inimical to the Faith have periodically sought to stir up the local population against the Baha'i community, resulting in intermittent persecution – ranging from life-threatening to less harsh forms of harassment.

In 1941, for example, lives were imperiled when gangs from outside roused local citizens to attack the Baha'is. The Baha'is were arrested, severely beaten and subjected to extortion; their houses and belongings were plundered. Finally, they were banished to a village seven kilometers away. When the situation eased some months later, the Baha'is returned to their homes and farms.

The lengths to which those holding enmity towards the Baha'is would go are perhaps best summed up in an incident that occurred in the mid-1950s when a member of the newly-established "Hojjatieh" society arrived in Ivel. Hojjatieh – a semi-clandestine traditionalist Shia organization – was founded on the premise that the most immediate threat to Islam was the "heresy" of the Baha'i Faith, which had to be eliminated.

When this individual proved unsuccessful in his attempts to drive a wedge between the Muslims and the Baha'is, he endeavoured to prevent their cows from grazing in the same pasture, on the basis that the Baha'i cows were "unclean".

For a few days, the cattle belonging to the Baha'is were confined to their barns while those of the Muslims went to graze. The Baha'is repeatedly referred the matter to the village head, appealing for compassion to be shown to the animals. Consequently, a decision was made to have the cows enter the pasture from opposite sides, so as to respect the decree. This did not accord with the natural instincts of the livestock, who continued to graze together.


Contribution to social progress

Throughout the years, notwithstanding the efforts to repress them, the Baha'is have actively contributed to the betterment of life in their village. In addition to the role they played in the area's agriculture, they established a school at which local children, regardless of their religion, were educated. By 1946, when the Iranian government had begun to organize rural schools and assumed responsibility for the one in the village, Ivel's school extended to six elementary level classes in which some 120 pupils from Ivel and seven other nearby villages were receiving general education.

In 1961, in another example of service to their community, the Baha'is completed a bath house for use by the villagers, which included modifications to the local reservoir and the introduction of modernizations to improve the facility's levels of hygiene and the general health of the people.


Escalation of attacks

Following Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979, the situation for Baha'is in Ivel deteriorated. Land was confiscated and attempts to regain it proved unsuccessful. Baha'is were denied access to health clinics and other institutions that they themselves had helped establish. Muslim children were encouraged by their teacher to harm their Baha'i classmates. When parents protested, the teacher found other means to persecute his Baha'i pupils, including failing them in their exams.

In June 1983, the Baha'is were forced out of their homes and transported by bus to the nearest major city, Sari. When they arrived, the authorities made them go back. Returning to Ivel, they were locked into a local mosque. More than 130 of them – including children and the elderly – were held captive for three days without food and water. When pressure to make them recant their faith failed, they were allowed to return home. However, that same night, they were attacked by villagers. A few were taken off by the mob, others were injured, and more were forced to hide in a nearby forest.

Since that time, many of the Ivel Baha'is have resided nearby and return to the village only in the summer to plant and harvest their crops and tend to their properties. According to Natoli Derakhshan, a Baha'i from Ivel who was interviewed recently by the Persian-language Radio Farda, "Each time or each year when they wanted to go there they had to obtain permits from the Justice Administration to be allowed to stay in their own homes for two or three days."

In the past three years, the Baha'i International Community has monitored an increase in efforts to put pressure on the Baha'is of Ivel to leave the region altogether. "Their empty homes have been burned, Baha'is have been subjected to verbal and physical attacks, and the 100-year old Baha'i cemetery was confiscated and sold for conversion into residential property," said Diane Ala'i, representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.

"Numerous complaints have been filed at all levels but, in general, the Baha'is are only met with indifference. The authorities say that there's little they can do in the face of the opposition Baha'is face from the local residents," she said. "In every case, knowledge of the demolitions or the motive behind them was denied by local government officials."

"What we are witnessing in Ivel, and the surrounding region of Mazandaran, is part of a wider campaign to humiliate and dishearten all the Baha'is and prevent them from practicing their faith in any way whatsoever," said Ms. Ala'i. "The government has certainly demonstrated thus far that if it is not behind it, it is either unwilling to stop it or incapable of doing so."

In recent weeks when Mr. Derakhshan heard stories about the imminent destruction of the Baha'i homes in the village, he went with other Baha'is to various officials to find out if the rumors were true. "We were told not to worry and that there was not such a possibility; we believed them," he told Radio Farda.

"We do not know and cannot say that it was ordered by someone," he said. "All we know is that unfortunately everything has been completely destroyed."


Local and international support

There are, however, many villagers in Ivel who are deeply troubled by these developments. In an interview with the Rooz Online website, Mr. Derakhshan paid tribute to those who have expressed dismay and concern at the ill-treatment of their Baha'i neighbors: "These days many of our Muslim folks sat together with us with tearful eyes, and apologized to us, and held our hands!  We are thankful to them all."

The news from Ivel has also received widespread attention from further afield – in the world's news media and online news services, including a host of Persian language outlets.

Among the English language reports, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty ran a story on 29 June with the headline, "Baha'i Houses Demolished In Iran". It also carried video of the incident which had been obtained by Human Rights Activists of Iran.

On 29 June, the National Review Online published an article under the headline "Regime Razes Bahai Homes in Iran."

A feature on the BBC website, titled "Iran's Bahai community fear rise in persecution", began: "First there are the images of wooden beams on fire. Then buildings come into view, some without windows and doors, others reduced to rubble. The shaky mobile phone footage posted on YouTube by Iranian human rights activists shows scenes of destruction filmed secretly from inside a car...The reports from Ivel residents say that by June 22, almost 50 houses belonging to Bahais had been flattened."

"Several of these websites have offered places for comments by readers," said Ms. Alai. "After enduring so much persecution for so long, we are certain that the Baha'is of Ivel appreciate the support of people from all over the world – including many sympathetic Iranian citizens – who have taken the time to express their outrage over this latest incident."

To read the article online and view photographs, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/story/782

For the Baha'i World News Service home page, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/


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