Criticism of the persecution of Baha'is in Iran; Thousands of Baha'is Awaiting Sentence
On Wednesday, April 25, the Baha'i International Community issued a statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, reporting on the "increased pressures" on Baha'is in Iran and expressing deep concern about their "systematic harassment" by the Islamic Republic.
The statement states that more than 1,000 Baha'is in Iran currently have legal cases pending and are awaiting a court ruling.
The Baha'i International Community says that in some cases, Baha'i citizens have been in a state of limbo for years, from the time of initial arrest until the court convenes and the verdict is issued.
According to the Baha'i International Community, setting high bails and issuing suspended sentences has caused psychological pressure on them.
The confiscation of Baha'i property is another issue that the international Baha'i community has criticized.
On February 17, the Baha'i International Community also issued a statement expressing concern about the "increasing trend" of confiscation of Baha'i property in Iran.
Over the past 43 years, the Islamic Republic has arrested, imprisoned, and executed thousands of Baha'is.
Most of these Baha'is are sentenced to imprisonment or various social deprivations on charges such as "espionage," "acting against national security," and "propaganda against the system."
The Baha'i International Community has repeatedly called these accusations "baseless" and emphasized that Baha'is in Iran are arrested and imprisoned solely for their religious beliefs.
In addition, Baha'is are also prohibited from studying in Iranian universities, and in recent years, a number of their businesses 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 the authorities of the Islamic Republic to adhere to their international obligations regarding the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Javed Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, strongly criticized security pressures on Baha'is and "discrimination" against them in his speech at the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva last week.
Source: Voice of America
