Human Rights

Human rights work at the Bahá'í International Community's United Nations Office.

Human Rights

Overview

BIC Representative Sarah Vader reads statement at the Durban Review Conference.

Guided by a belief in the noble nature of the individual and the equality of all human beings as the prerequisite for a just, prosperous and sustainable world, the promotion of human rights has been a key element of the work of the Bahá’í International Community’s United Nations Office. Throughout the last 62 years, our Office has worked to uphold the rights of women, children, minorities and indigenous populations and has been active in UN debates and efforts to strengthen mechanisms to uphold economic, social and cultural rights. Today, the Bahá'í International Community plays a leadership role in a number of NGO committees focused on human rights and participates actively in efforts to strengthen the UN’s capacity to realize the ideals set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Recent Activities

Panel on "The Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief"

November (New York): A committee of the UN General Assembly today sharply criticized Iran for its continued and increasing violations of human rights. By a vote of 80 to 44, the Assembly's Third Committee approved a resolution that "expresses deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations" in Iran. There were 57 abstentions. more...
October (New York): Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, spoke at an introductory briefing organized by the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief at the Bahá'í International Community’s UN Office. more...
March (New York): At the opening session of the 101st Human Rights Committee meeting, Daniel Perell, Alternate Representative to the United Nations, made a statement on the situation of the Baha'is in the Iran. On March 31st, the Committee’s country report task force for Iran will consider and adopt a list of issues in light of the ICCPR report Iran submitted. The Bahá'í International Community spoke at this meeting to apprise the Committee of the situation of the Iranian Bahá'í community which is suffering numerous violations at the hands of the government in contravention of Iran's obligations under the ICCPR. The Islamic Republic of Iran is scheduled for consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 102nd session.
January 2011 (Geneva): Responding to a call by the Human Rights Committee to comment on its draft General Comment 34 on article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which addresses freedom of expression, the Bahá’í International Community sent in a submission.

Activity Archive (2006-2010)

Contributions to the discourse on Human Rights

Statement to the 2009 Durban Review Conference (2009) Statement submitted to the Durban Review Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (2008) Statement on the occasion of the 60^thAnniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights

Integrating gender perspectives into the work of the Human Rights Council (2007) Oral Intervention of the Bahá’í International Community to the Human Rights Council, 6^thsession

Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights (2007) Comment on the United Nations’ “Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights” Submitted to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Freedom to Believe: Upholding the Standard of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (2005) Statement on the Freedom of Conscience, Religion or Belief

Baha'i International Community Response to the Secretary General's Report, 'In Larger Freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all' (2005) Submitted to the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service

Filed under: Human Rights

Activity Archive

Ambassadorial retreat invites NGO input into UN Human Rights Council review process
Dec 10, 2010
New Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief stresses human dignity, the right to change religious affiliation
Oct 22, 2010
UN Human Rights Council appoints monitor for Iran
Apr 12, 2011
Secretary general of UN releases report criticizing human rights abuses in Iran
Oct 15, 2009
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday expressed strong criticism of Iran's human rights record, voicing concern about the use of excessive force after the recent presidential election, the harassment of women's rights activists, the ongoing execution of juveniles, and the continued persecution of minorities, including Baha'is.
Importance of water links concepts of spirituality, justice and human rights
Nov 15, 2011
Bahá'í International Community’s Representative, Mr. Ming Hwee Chong, spoke about the role of water in human development and well-being on a panel exploring ‘Spirituality, Environmental Justice and Human Rights.’
Baha'i International Community mourns passing of human rights expert
Jan 09, 2012
The Baha'i International Community has expressed its condolences over the passing of noted human rights lawyer and Tunisian jurist Abdelfattah Amor.
UN investigator who revealed Iran's "Baha'i Question" memorandum dies aged 93
Jan 10, 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.
Lawyer for jailed Baha'i leaders speaks out at European Parliament
Jul 29, 2011
One of the lawyers who defended Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders has made an impassioned plea for justice during an extraordinary meeting held at the European Parliament.
Academic conference explores "othering" of Iranian Baha'is
Jul 29, 2011
TORONTO — Iranian scholars, many from globally prominent universities, gathered here for a groundbreaking academic conference on the persecution of Iran's Baha'is. Titled "Intellectual Othering and the Baha'i Question in Iran," the conference examined how Iranian authorities have sought to exclude Baha'is from social, political, cultural, and intellectual life by portraying them as outsiders in their own land – a process known as "othering."
British legal bodies highlight "dire situation" of human rights in Iran
Jul 08, 2011
Two prominent legal associations are calling upon the United Nations' new special investigator for Iran to examine the "dire situation" of human rights defenders and alleged "dissidents" in the country.
Iran's human rights violations: international condemnation spreads
Jun 26, 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.
Rally in Rio calls for Iran to respect human rights
Jun 20, 2011
Representatives from government, religious communities and civil society organizations were among the 800 human rights supporters who gathered to call upon Iran to cease its persecution of Baha'is and other religious minorities.
Panel explores crisis of human rights in Iran
Aug 01, 2010
Iran's human rights record has come under scrutiny at a seminar held in the United Kingdom's Houses of Parliament
"Baha'i Question" cited at European Parliament human rights hearing
May 31, 2011
Victims of religious intolerance are not just people deprived of the right to practice their faith – they suffer abuses in every aspect of their daily lives.
Three years on, Iran's imprisoned Baha'i leaders symbolize the oppression of a nation
May 16, 2011
The injustice being faced by countless citizens of Iran has been highlighted around the world, as supporters marked three years since the arrest of the country's imprisoned Baha'i leaders.
Human rights groups renew support for Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders
Mar 09, 2011
The global support for Iran's seven jailed Baha'i leaders is continuing as one of the prisoners begins her fourth year in detention.
Iran's human rights record condemned by United Nations
Dec 21, 2010
In a vote today, the United Nations once again strongly condemned Iran for failing to live up to international human rights standards.
Open letter speaks out for the rights of all Iranians
Dec 07, 2010
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.
UN resolution sharply critical of Iran for continuing human rights violations
Nov 18, 2010
A committee of the UN General Assembly today sharply criticized Iran for its continued and increasing violations of human rights.
UN Secretary General voices concern over human rights abuses in Iran
Oct 18, 2010
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, has once again expressed strong concern over Iran's ongoing human rights violations, including its persecution of Iranian Baha'is.
UN panel criticizes Iran’s repression of minorities
Aug 30, 2010
A United Nations panel of experts has expressed concern over Iran’s continued repression of ethnic and religious minorities, including members of the Baha'i Faith.
Human Rights Day in Germany puts spotlight on Iran
Dec 09, 2009
Youth from a drama troupe joined with local dignitaries this week to address themes of exclusion and prejudice as they commemorated Human Rights Day with the Baha'i community of Germany.
UN resolution on Iran sends powerful message on human rights
Nov 20, 2009
The approval today of a strongly worded resolution on human rights in Iran sends a powerful signal to the Iranian government that the world is gravely concerned about how Iran treats its citizens, said the Baha'i International Community.
Prominent Iranians call for religious liberty
Sep 30, 2009
A best-selling author and an Oscar-nominated actress are among those who have called for religious freedom in Iran, including an end to the persecution of Baha'is in that country.
Baha'is and rights groups say Iranian president must address discrimination at home
Apr 19, 2009
The Baha’i International Community joined two human rights organizations in calling on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to address discrimination in his own country when he speaks this week at the conference known as Durban II.
Baha’is call for reopening of human rights center in Iran
Dec 23, 2008
The Baha'i International Community today expressed grave concern over the closing by the Iranian government of Shirin Ebadi’s Defenders of Human Rights Center in Tehran and called for its reopening.
UN General Assembly expresses “deep concern” about human rights in Iran
Dec 18, 2008
The United Nations General Assembly today adopted a resolution expressing “deep concern at serious human rights violations” in Iran.
Faith groups sign human rights statement
Dec 15, 2008
Netherlands — Groups and individuals around the world this month have been commemorating the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which occurred on 10 December 1948. The United Nations has designated the anniversary each year as Human Rights Day.
Baha'is mark 60th anniversary of Human Rights Declaration
Dec 07, 2008
Many Baha'i communities around the world are observing Human Rights Day this week - which this year has special significance because it marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
UK Foreign Policy Centre challenges Iran on human rights
Nov 30, 2008
The Foreign Policy Centre, a leading foreign affairs think tank in Britain, has published a new report on Iran titled “A Revolution Without Rights: Women, Kurds and Baha’is Searching for Equality in Iran.”
UN rejection of Iranian ‘no-action motion’ is victory for human rights, say Baha’is
Nov 21, 2008
The Baha’i International Community praised the United Nations General Assembly for today rejecting a so-called “no-action motion” on human rights in Iran.
Young Baha'is address UK parliamentarians on human rights
Apr 24, 2008
Four young people offered their view of human rights at a reception this week in the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament.
Draft Iranian law threatens gross human rights violations
Feb 22, 2008
The Iranian Parliament is considering legislation that would institutionalize a series of gross human rights violations, affecting not only Baha'is but many others, even outside of Iran, the Baha'i International Community said today.
U.N. General Assembly expresses "deep concern" about human rights in Iran
Dec 19, 2007
The United Nations General Assembly yesterday adopted a resolution expressing "deep concern" about "ongoing systematic violations of human rights" in Iran.
U.N. committee approves resolution about rights violations in Iran
Nov 20, 2007
A committee of the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution today expressing "deep concern" about "ongoing systematic violations of human rights" in Iran.
UN expresses "serious concern" over human rights in Iran, including the situation of Baha'is
Nov 22, 2006
A committee of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday passed a resolution expressing "serious concern" over the human rights situation in Iran, including the escalation of violations against Iranian Baha'is.
Panel urges talks on religious intolerance
Nov 17, 2005
Governments should tackle increased religious intolerance by promoting discussion both within and between religious groups and by ensuring that women and political leaders are involved in the talks.
Baha'i International Community lauds passage of UN Resolution on Human Rights in Iran
Nov 21, 2003
Noting that the Baha'is of Iran face continuing religious persecution, the Baha'i International Community today expressed appreciation for the support of those countries that co-sponsored and voted for a new resolution in the United Nations General Assembly about ongoing human rights violations in Iran.
Baha'is issue statement on education and freedom of belief
Nov 25, 2001
The Baha'i International Community presented a statement, entitled "Belief and Tolerance: Lights Amidst the Darkness," for the International Consultative Conference on School Education in relation with Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-discrimination, a United Nations conference held in Madrid on 23-25 November 2001. The full text of the statement follows below:
Human Rights Day program at the United Nations focuses on upcoming World Conference Against Racism
Jan 01, 2001
Featuring a nine-city videoconference that gave it global reach, a commemoration of Human Rights Day held here on 7 December focused on preparations for next year's World Conference Against Racism, with speakers stressing the worldwide nature of racism and intolerance and the need to find new approaches that will promote the acceptance of human diversity.
Nations rally to defend human rights in Iran
Feb 16, 2010
Countries from around the world have voiced strong concern at the United Nations Human Rights Council over Iran's deteriorating human rights record.
Baha'i International Community calls for release of Christian pastor facing death sentence
Oct 04, 2011
The Baha'i International Community has joined the call for the release of Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian pastor from Rasht, Iran.
New reports of human rights violations highlight situation of Iran's Baha'is
Aug 23, 2011
Brazilians march together to demand justice
Sep 19, 2011
The ongoing persecution of Iran's Baha'i community featured prominently as 25,000 people from Brazil's diverse traditions marched to defend the right to religious freedom and call for justice.

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