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Professor Reynaldo Galindo Pohl, 1918-2012. UN Photo by Yutaka Nagata. San Salvador, El Salvador—11 Jan 2012— Reynaldo Galindo Pohl, a noted legal scholar who uncovered significant evidence of human rights violations in Iran in the late 1980s and early 1990s, passed away here last Thursday. A prominent diplomat and professor of law, Prof. Galindo Pohl was well known internationally even before his 1987 appointment as the United Nations Commission on Human... Read more . . . |
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United Nations United Nations—19 Dec 2011— Reflecting the international community's increasing intolerance for human rights violations, the UN General Assembly today condemned Iran for oppressing its citizens. By a vote of 89 to 30 with 64 abstentions, the Assembly approved a resolution that expressed "deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations" in the country. The vote... Read more . . . |
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The open letter from the Baha'i International Community to the head of Iran's judiciary catalogs in detail the "many reprehensible measures" resorted to by officials during the detention, trial, sentencing and appeal, of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders. Respecting the rights of Iranian Baha'is, the letter says, would "signal a willingness to respect the rights of all the citizens of your country." New York—7 Dec 2011— In an open letter to the head of Iran's Judiciary, the Baha'i International Community today contrasted the country's persecution of Baha'is with Iran's own call for Muslim minorities to be treated fairly in other countries. "We...request that the Baha'is in that country be granted their full rights of citizenship, in order that they may be able to fulfill their... Read more . . . |
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The United Nations Headquarters buildings in New York City. UN Photo/Mark Garten. United Nations—21 Nov 2011— Using some of its strongest language to date, the United Nations General Assembly has roundly condemned Iran for its "serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations." By a vote of 86 to 32, with 59 abstentions, the Assembly's Third Committee today approved a six-page resolution that catalogs a wide range of abuses in Iran, including "a dramatic increase"... Read more . . . |
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The Chilean Senate has called upon President Sebastián Piñera to "strongly condemn" Iran for its "rigorous and systematic persecution of Baha'is." In Canada, Senator Mobina Jaffer – the country's first Muslim Senator – has asked for "new steps" to "call Iran to account for its unacceptable treatment of the Baha'is." Geneva—21 Nov 2011— The worldwide outcry against the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community has been joined by the Chilean Senate, a Muslim Senator in Canada, and prominent Indian organizations. The latest calls – for an end to both the imprisonment of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders and the continuing detention of 12 staff and faculty members of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE... Read more . . . |
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The seven imprisoned Baha'i educators are (top row, left to right): Mahmoud Badavam, Ramin Zibaie, Riaz Sobhani, Farhad Sedghi; (bottom row, left to right) Noushin Khadem, Kamran Mortezaie, and Vahid Mahmoudi. Geneva—7 Nov 2011— As more information has emerged regarding the trial of seven Baha'i educators, the worldwide outcry at the persecution of Iranian Baha'i students and teachers continues to spread. In recent days, politicians in Brazil, academics in Germany and Ireland, and an international group of distinguished filmmakers, have condemned the systematic barring of Baha'is from higher... Read more . . . |
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The Geneva headquarters of the UN Geneva—4 Nov 2011— As a United Nations body concluded that Iran's persecution of Baha'is is clearly violating one of the world's major human rights treaties, the Baha'i International Community has learned of a recent wave of attacks on Baha'is and their property. In Rasht, three women were arrested on charges of activity against national security following terrifying raids on 16 Baha'i... Read more . . . |
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Heiner Bielefeldt – the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras United Nations—23 Oct 2011— Iran's persecution of Baha'is is among the most "extreme manifestations of religious intolerance and persecution" in the world today, according to a UN expert. (See video of press conference.) The remarks of Heiner Bielefeldt – Special Rapporteur on Freedom... Read more . . . |
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The report – titled "Inciting Hatred: Iran's Media Campaign to Demonize Baha'is" – documents and analyzes more than 400 press and media items between late 2009 and early 2011. New York—21 Oct 2011— In a wide-ranging media campaign that has gone largely unnoticed outside of Iran, hatred and discrimination are being systematically stirred up against the country's 300,000-member Baha'i minority. In a report released today, the Baha'i International Community documents and analyzes more than 400 press and media items over a 16-month period, that typify an insidious... Read more . . . |
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The seven Baha'i educators sentenced to prison are (top row, left to right): Mahmoud Badavam, Ramin Zibaie, Riaz Sobhani, Farhad Sedghi; (bottom row, left to right) Noushin Khadem, Kamran Mortezaie, and Vahid Mahmoudi. New York—18 Oct 2011— Seven Baha'i educators in Iran have each received four- or five-year prison sentences, according to reports received by the Baha'i International Community. Verdicts against the seven were reportedly handed down by a judge at Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. The educators have been detained for almost five months in connection with... Read more . . . |
