“The systematic expropriation of Baha’is in Iran is part of a strategy to impoverish Baha’is and try to banish them from the country", said Member of the European Parliament Evin Incir in her opening remarks at a webinar she hosted on 4 February 2021. The webinar was held in the context of recent increases in home raids and property confiscations of Baha’is across Iran and focused on the village of Ivel, where a ruling to allow Iranian authorities to confiscate properties, clearly motivated by religious prejudice, was recently upheld in an appeals court.

Member of the European Parliament Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White, one of the panelists, highlighted that “the Baha’is in Iran is unfortunately one of the most persecuted prominent targets of the most prominent oppressor of the regime in Iran." 

Former UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing Miloon Kothari, who made a trip to Iran in 2005 in his official capacity, remarked in the webinar that "it is quite clear that this form of land confiscation and other repressive measures are in direct contravention of Iran’s freely accepted international obligations.”

Member of the Swedish Parliament Anders Österberg added that "when it comes to the situation in Ivel, I think we need to raise the international pressure. I hope that my comrades in the European Parliament also will raise the question about the situation in Ivel."

Among other Members of the European Parliament who subsequently expressed concern was Cornelia Ernst, the Chair of the European Delegation for Relations with Iran. 

Highlights of the webinar can be found in this short video. A full recording of the webinar can be found here.