Human Rights

From 28 February - 1 March, the United Nations convened a global consultation on "Governance and the post-2015 development agenda" at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa. Pursuant to the Baha'i International Community’s involvement in the United Nations’ post-2015 development agenda, Mr. Daniel Perell attended the event alongside 250 attendees from a variety of agencies to discuss themes and offer recommendations on  governance and its role in the post-2015 agenda.

Oxford University Lecturer in International Human Rights Law, Dr. Nazila Ghanea, speaking at an event during the Commission on the Status of Women, challenged stereotypes that depict religious women as predominantly submissive, as victims in need of rescuing. Too often, she noted, the voice of religious women is not heard. She called for a richer discourse and understanding of women who hold religious beliefs—as women who are strong, women in leadership, dissenting women, and women championing a path that does justice to her gender and to her belief, while also giving due attention to concerns of women in religions where that is warranted.

The Baha'i International Community has expressed its condolences over the passing of noted human rights lawyer and Tunisian jurist Abdelfattah Amor.

Professor Amor – who has died at the age of 68 after suffering a heart attack – was best known internationally for his 11 years of service as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, from 1993 to 2004.

"As the Special Rapporteur, Professor Amor was among the world's foremost defenders of the right to freedom of religion or belief," said Diane Ala'i, the representative of the Baha'i International Community to the UN in Geneva.

In his first report, the newly appointed UN investigator into human rights in Iran has appealed to the Iranian government to create a culture in which the fundamental rights and freedoms of minorities and women are protected.

Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed also urged Iran to refrain from repressing dissent, expressed concern about the deteriorating health of some prisoners, and repeated an earlier request to be allowed to visit the country.

The interim report – submitted to the UN General Assembly at its 66th session now under way in New York – follows concerns about Iran expressed last week by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.