Criticism of Persecution of Baháʼís in Iran; Thousand Baháʼís Await Court Verdicts

The Baháʼí International Community issued a statement on Wednesday, the third day of Farvardin, addressed to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, reporting “doubled pressures” on Baháʼís in Iran and expressing grave concern about “systematic harassment and persecution” of them by the Islamic Republic.

The statement indicates that more than one thousand Baháʼís in Iran currently have legal cases pending and are awaiting court verdicts.

The Baháʼí International Community states that in some cases, Baháʼí citizens have spent years in an uncertain legal situation from their initial arrest until trial and sentencing.

According to the Baháʼí International Community, the imposition of heavy bail amounts and the issuance of suspended sentences have created psychological pressure on them.

Confiscation of Baháʼís’ property is another matter that the Baháʼí International Community has criticized.

On the 27th of Bahman, the Baháʼí International Community also issued a statement expressing concern about the “increasing trend” of confiscating Baháʼís’ property in Iran.

The Islamic Republic has arrested, imprisoned, and executed thousands of Baháʼís over the past 43 years.

Most of these Baháʼís are convicted of charges such as “espionage,” “action against national security,” and “propaganda against the system,” facing imprisonment or numerous social deprivations.

The Baháʼí International Community has repeatedly called these charges “baseless” and emphasized that Baháʼís in Iran are arrested and imprisoned solely because of their religious beliefs.

In addition, Baháʼís are also banned from attending universities in Iran, and in recent years, the businesses of several of them have been closed and sealed.

The United Nations and human rights defenders have repeatedly criticized the “violation” of the rights of religious minorities in Iran and have called on Islamic Republic officials to uphold their international commitments regarding the right to freedom of thought and expression.

Javaid Rehman, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, strongly criticized security pressures on Baháʼís and “discrimination” against them in his speech last week at the Human Rights Council session in Geneva.

Source: Voice of America