HRC 42 BIC Oral Statement - Item 4

Statements

HRC 42 BIC Oral Statement - Item 4

General debate Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention - 19th Plenary Meeting  42nd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council.

Geneva—18 September 2019

Mr. President,

In his report to the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Javaid Rehman, the Special Rapporteur on Iran, has indicated that “Over the past 40 years, the Bahá’ís, considered to be the largest non-Muslim and unrecognized religious minority in the Islamic Republic of Iran … have suffered from the most egregious forms of repression, persecution and victimization.”

Moreover, he referred to the 1991 Secret Memorandum, which includes directives to deny Bahá’ís the right to earn a livelihood or have access to university and complete their degree. Further, he reported on the interference of the Iranian authorities on Bahá’í burial practices. Mr. Rehman also stated that Bahá’ís are “Regarded by the Iranian authorities and by the Iranian criminal justice system as “unprotected infidels”” and that “Bahá’ís have been murdered with impunity and violations of their human rights have not been investigated.” The Special Rapporteur also received information on hateful speeches inciting them to hatred, school textbooks vilifying the Bahá’í faith and statements made against the Bahá’ís, including by officials.

Mr. President,

The 1991 Memorandum, which is incompatible even with Iranian law, has unleashed a program of persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran as well as outside of its borders, the latest instance taking place in Yemen. It is therefore high time that the International community give Iran the clear message that this persecution cannot be tolerated and the 1991 Memorandum should be entirely revoked.