Welcome to the Baha'i International Community United Nations Office

Reports of a trial date for Bahá'í leaders falsely accused of espionage

24 June 2009 - According to information conveyed by the authorities in Evin prison to the family members of the seven Bahá'ís who have been imprisoned in Tehran, Iran, for over a year, their trial date has been set for 11 July 2009. This information has been provided to the family members only orally and, as information conveyed by officials concerning the judicial process has often proved unreliable, it is possible that the Iranian authorities may find some reason to change the trial date. more...

BIC delegates participate in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Musical performance during the Forum.

22 May 2009 - BIC delegates, Steven Gonzales (United States) and Azarnoush Dooki (Honduras) took part in the 8^th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), which deliberated on economic and social development, indigenous women, the 2^nd Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples and the Arctic region. View interview with BIC Steven Gonzales.” more...

Bahá'í delegates to the Commission on Sustainable Development focus on ethical dimensions, gender equality; Youth delegates play an active role

BIC delegates to the Commission

14 May 2009 - Twelve Bahá'í delegates from South Africa, US, Canada, Australia, and the UK (including 7 youth) participated actively at the 17th Session of the Commission, which focused on agriculture, rural development, land, drought, desertification and Africa. Among its contributions, BIC organized a ‘Learning Center’ workshop on climate ethics  [view videos]. View full coverage of BIC at the Commission.

BIC Representative speaks at International Forum on “Human Rights and Religions”

BIC Representative, Sarah Vader

5 May 2009 -BIC Representative, Sarah Vader, spoke at the 6th International Human Rights Forum – Luzern, which took place on 4-5 May and examined the theme of “Human Rights and Religions.” more…

BIC takes part in Durban Review Conference

Delegates (l-r): Diane Ala’i, Iradj Eghrari (Bahá'í, member of official Brazilian delegation), Sarah Vader

24 April 2009 – BIC delegates were present at the Durban Review Conference which took place in Geneva, Switzerland (20-24 April).  The Review Conference was a major and timely opportunity to revitalize the international community’s efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Read the BIC statement to the conference.

Bahá'ís and rights groups say Iranian president must address discrimination at home

19 April 2009 - BIC joined the Iranian League for the Defense of Human Rights and the International Federation of Human Rights in calling on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to address discrimination against ethnic minorities, women and religious minorities in his own country, in his remarks at Durban Review Conference. Read news release  issued by the three organizations. more...

Egyptian court removes final barrier to identity cards for Bahá’ís

16 March 2009 – A court in Egypt today removed any grounds for preventing Baha'is from receiving proper official identity documents.  more...

4 March 2009 – BIC sends a letter to Iran’s Chief Prosecutor, Ayatollah Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi, addressing his recent statements regarding the administrative affairs of the Bahá’ís of Iran. Read letter: English / Persian

Bahá'í delegates from 18 countries participate in the Commission on the Status of Women

Bahá'í delegates to the Commission on the Status of Women (click on photo to enlarge)

13 March 2009 - The theme of this year’s UN Commission on the Status of Women (28 February - 13 March, New York) is "The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care giving in the context of HIV/AIDS". Over 30 Bahá'í delegates from 18 countries as well as representatives from the European Bahá'í Business Forum participated in official meetings as observers, on panels as speakers, and as facilitators and reporters for caucuses. Read the BIC’s statement to the Commission.

The BIC at the UN Commission on Social Development

Tahirih Naylor presents oral statement on Social Integration. (YouTube Video)

4 February 2009 - The BIC submitted its official statement to the UN Commission on Social Development titled, Reclaiming Freedom of Conscience, Religion or Belief to Promote Social Integration. The theme for the 47th Session of the commission on Social Development is "Social Integration," taking into particular account the relationship of social integration to poverty eradication and full employment. To follow BIC's involvement in the Commission, please view our video and visit a blog authored by one of our youth delegates.