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
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Oxford lecturer challenges stereotypes of religious women:
3 March 2012 (New York):
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
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Amnesty International report condemns Iran's human rights abuses:
2 March 2012 (Geneva):
The Baha'i International Community has noted with alarm a new Amnesty International report that highlights the widening crackdown on dissent in Iran.
The document, titled 'We are ordered to crush you': Expanding Repression of Dissent in Iran, cites a wave of recent
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Baha'i International Community mourns passing of human rights expert :
8 January 2012 (Geneva):
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
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Iran's human rights record condemned by United Nations :
18 December 2011 (United Nations):
In a vote today, the United Nations once again strongly condemned Iran for failing to live up to international human rights standards.
By a vote of 78 to 45, with 59 abstentions, the UN General Assembly confirmed a resolution that expressed “deep concern at
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UN monitor for Iran presents first findings on human rights abuses :
16 October 2011 (United Nations):
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
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