Bahai Citizen Barred from University Education for Tenth Consecutive Year
Maryam Farouhari, a Bahai citizen residing in Karaj, faced the message “file deficiency” for the tenth consecutive year after registering in the National Organization for Educational Testing system and was unable to gain admission to university and continue her education.
According to Hrana news agency, Ms. Farouhari has a high GPA above 19 and has made multiple attempts in recent years to continue her education, but the National Organization for Educational Testing has prevented her from continuing her studies under the pretext of file deficiency.
The “file deficiency” option is a tactic that the National Organization for Educational Testing, which is responsible for conducting university entrance exams in Iran, has been using for years to deprive Bahai citizens of the opportunity to continue their education.
Based on media reports, 21 Bahai citizens have so far announced that they encountered this message during the 2020 university entrance exam and were barred from continuing their education.
The Islamic Republic of Iran does not officially recognize the Bahai faith, and its officials have repeatedly called Bahais “spies and enemies” and have issued sentences of execution, detention, imprisonment, and deprivation of education and employment against them.
Human rights defenders and international organizations have consistently viewed the Iranian government’s treatment of Bahai citizens, citing widespread arrests and severe sentences against them, as “systematic violation” of their rights and a violation of human rights.
Source: Radio Farda
