Recent Stories
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Semnan, Iran Subject: Persecution of the Baha'i Community
New York—8 August 2012—A dramatic intensification of persecution of Baha'is in the Iranian city of Semnan has been described as "distinctive and alarming" by the Baha'i International Community.
Dozens of attacks since 2009 against a large number of Semnan's Baha'is have been carried out by officials, semi-official groups, and plainclothes agents. At least 30 Baha'is have been arrested, with several now serving long prison sentences; homes and shops have been targeted by arsonists; and numerous Baha'i-owned businesses have been shut down by authorities.
Baha'is in the city are also facing ongoing harassment, marked... Read more . . . |
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Reflections on Rio+20 Subject: Social and Sustainable Development
New York—29 June 2012—The Baha'i International Community speaks with Daniel Perell who, with May Akale, co-led the 13-person delegation to this historic conference.
Selected related articles:
Baha'i delegates prepare for engagement at Rio+20
Sustainable development focus for Rio Conference
Extremes of wealth and poverty are focus of side event... Read more . . . |
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Subject: Persecution of the Baha'i Community
Geneva—28 June 2012—In its statement to the 19th session of the Human Rights Council, the Baha'i International Community focused on the economic strangulation of Baha'is in Iran and the recent intensification of pressure on Baha'i businesses and business owners. On 28 May, Intelligence Ministry agents raided and sealed two factories, fully or partially owned by Baha’is, in the city of Semnan. One of the factories, which manufactured vertical blinds, employed 51 staff, 36 of whom were not Baha'is. The other, a lens grinding factory, employed two Baha'i and six other individuals. The Baha'i International Community’s ... Read more . . . |
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Recording of oral statement Subject: Persecution of the Baha'i Community
Geneva—28 June 2012—At the 20th session of the Human Rights Council, following the presentation of a report by the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, the Bahá'í International Community raised a question concerning the persistent denial of higher education to the Baha’is in Iran. The Baha'i International Community noted that the persecution against the Baha’is in Iran—the largest religious minority in that country—extends to children and youth. “Thousands of young people who are amongst the brightest students in the country have been unjustly barred from university for over 30 years. And this, only... Read more . . . |
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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon officially opening the UN's Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development, 20 June 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UN Photo/Mark Garten. Subject: Social and Sustainable Development
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—21 June 2012—World leaders seeking to promote sustainable development should embrace the principle "that each one of us enters the world as a trust of the whole and, in turn, bears a measure of responsibility for the welfare of all."
This concept is among several being explored by the Baha'i International Community (BIC) in its participation at "Rio+20" – the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development – which ends here tomorrow.
In its statement to the Conference, the BIC says the idea of a "world-encompassing trusteeship" challenges the "ethical basis of loyalties that do not extend... Read more . . . |
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Members of the Baha'i International Community’s delegation to Rio+20 (L-R): Duncan Hanks, Daniel Perell, May Akale, Ming Hwee Chong, Peter Adriance. Subject: Social and Sustainable Development
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—19 June 2012—Over 100 people gathered to mark the re-dedication of the “Peace Monument,” which contains soil brought from nearly 150 countries and is a symbolic representation of the oneness of humanity and the global cooperation needed to achieve lasting peace. The monument was built by the Baha’i International Community and the Baha'i Community of Brazil in 1992 for the 1992 Earth Summit.
UN Secretary-General for Rio+20, Mr. Sha Zukang and Rio de Janeiro mayor, Mr. Eduardo Paes plant a Brazil Wood tree at the site.
Among those... Read more . . . |
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Side event at Rio+20: Elimination of the Extremes of Wealth and Poverty in a Green Economy Context, organized by the Bahá'í International Community Subject: Social and Sustainable Development
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—14 June 2012—While poverty eradication is widely acknowledged as a priority by the international community, the related challenge of extreme wealth is rarely discussed. The Baha'i International Community organized a panel to address the need for the elimination of the extremes of both wealth and poverty in the context of the green economy and sustainable development. Panelists included: Ms. Daniela Hiche, Representative of the Baha’i Community of Brazil, Mr. Farooq Ullah, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Stakeholder Forum... Read more . . . |
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Persecution of the Baha'is of Semnan has included the fire-bombing and vandalization of homes and Baha'i-owned businesses. Subject: Persecution of the Baha'i Community
Geneva—14 June 2012—A recent intensification of attacks on Baha'i-owned businesses in Iran further demonstrates the Iranian authorities' determination to suffocate the economic prospects of the Baha'is of that country, solely on account of their religious beliefs.
The Baha'i International Community has learned that on 28 May, Intelligence Ministry agents raided and sealed two factories, with full or partial Baha'i ownership, in the central northern city of Semnan. One of the factories – which manufactured vertical blinds – employed 51 staff, 36 of whom were not Baha'is. The other, a lens grinding factory, had two... Read more . . . |
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A brochure cover for the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. Subject: Social and Sustainable Development
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—11 June 2012—In 1992, the Rio Earth Summit was one of the largest events ever organized by the United Nations. Now, world leaders are preparing to return to the city to consult about the global path to sustainable development – an idea that was first broadly raised here two decades ago.
Representatives from governments, the private sector, and civil society – including members of the worldwide Baha'i community – are joining the deliberations on how to reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection.
While the Rio+20 Conference, officially known as the UN Conference on... Read more . . . |
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Subject: Social and Sustainable Development
New York—8 June 2012—Thirteen delegates of the Baha'i International Community, representing Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, France, Singapore, USA, and including Representatives, Daniel Perell, May Akale, and Ming Chong will take part in the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to be held 20-22 June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In its statement to the Conference, the Baha'i International Community focuses on the concept of a world-... Read more . . . |
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