Human Rights -- Reports on human rights and religious tolerance
Trial of seven Bahá'í leaders in Iran begins; international condemnation follows
After several postponements last year, the trial of seven Iranian Bahá'í leaders began in January 2010 - an event that was immediately condemned by governments and human rights groups and activists outside Iran.
(December 2009-March 2010)
At the Human Rights Council, the world objects to Iran's record in a historic first review
At a historic first review of its record before the UN Human Rights Council, Iran found itself sharply criticized by other nations for a wide range of violations - not the least of which were its treatment of citizens in post-election protests and its ongoing persecution of Bahá'ís.
(December 2009-March 2010)
Bahá'ís express concern over turmoil in Iran as their co-religionists remain in prison
Against the backdrop of growing turmoil in Iran since the disputed national elections there in June, Bahá'ís around the world have sought to express their concern over reports of increasing human rights violations in that country.
Iranian government campaign to incite hatred against Bahá’ís shows new facets
The bulldozing of a Bahá’í cemetery in Iran in September is the latest in a series of incidents in a government-led campaign of hatred against Bahá’ís. (October-December 2007)
Iranian government campaign to incite hatred against Bahá’ís shows new facets
The bulldozing of a Bahá’í cemetery in Iran in September is the latest in a series of incidents in a government-led campaign of hatred against Bahá’ís. (October-December 2007)
In Iran, three are unjustly imprisoned for helping underprivileged children
The idea was to help poor children, not land in jail.
(January-March 2008)
Iranian government campaign to incite hatred against Bahá’ís shows new facets
The bulldozing of a Bahá’í cemetery in Iran in September is the latest in a series of incidents in a government-led campaign of hatred against Bahá’ís. (October-December 2007)
Confidential Iran memo exposes policy to deny Bahá’í students university education
NEW YORK — The Bahá’í International Community has obtained a copy of a confidential 2006 letter written by Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research and Technology instructing Iranian universities to expel any student who is discovered to be a Bahá’í. (October-December 2007)
In Iran, Bahá’í schoolchildren are now targets of persecution
NEW YORK — Bahá’í students in primary and secondary schools throughout Iran are increasingly being harassed, vilified, and held up to abuse, according to recent reports from inside the country. (January-March 2007)
Egypt court rules against Bahá'ís on ID cards, upholding policy of discrimination
CAIRO — In a closely watched case that became the focus of a national debate on religious freedom, Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court has ruled against the right of Bahá'ís to be properly identified on government documents. (October-December 2006)
UN Declaration on religious tolerance commemorated in Prague
PRAGUE — Although it was negotiated at the height of the Cold War, a 25-year-old international agreement on freedom of religion or belief remains as relevant today — and perhaps even more so — said speakers at a major United Nations-sanctioned observance here in late November. (October-December 2006)
UN General Assembly again expresses concern over human rights in Iran
UNITED NATIONS — For the 19th time since 1985, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution expressing concern over the human rights situation in Iran — and specifically mentioning violations against Iranian Bahá'ís.
UK Parliamentary seminar examines religious freedom
LONDON — Although recognized as a fundamental human right by nearly every nation, the freedom of religion or belief is woefully under-enforced by many governments and deserves more attention, said participants at a recent Parliamentary seminar here. (July-September 2006)
Egypt hearing highlights ID card discrimination for Bahá'ís
CAIRO — The Egyptian government's controversial policy that requires citizens to list their religion on national identification cards, while also limiting the choice to one of just three official religions, was the focus of a major symposium here in August. (July-September 2006)
Perspective: Freedom of religion and the battle against extremism
Although it has often been relegated to second-class status among human rights concerns, the issue of freedom of religion or belief today stands at the center of many of our most pressing global challenges. (July-September 2006)In Egypt, Bahá'ís face challenges over religious identity and belief
A court ruling on all-important state ID cards stirs a major controversy in Egypt and the Arab world, drawing attention to the plight of Bahá'ís and larger issues of religious freedom. (April-June 2006)
In Iran, pattern of arbitrary arrests of Bahá'ís continues; 129 await trial
NEW YORK — Iranian authorities have continued to arrest and detain Bahá'ís throughout Iran in recent months, subjecting them to a “revolving door” sequence of imprisonment and release that is apparently designed to harass and oppress the Bahá'í community. As of this writing, some 129 Bahá'ís have been arrested, released on bail, and are now awaiting trial. (April-June 2006)
Alarming new evidence that Iranian Bahá'ís are being secretly monitored
The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief releases a secret letter from the Iranian military command; human rights groups express grave concern. (January-March 2006)
UN creates new Human Rights Council
In outlining a plan for reform of the United Nations a year ago, Secretary General Kofi Annan made human rights a central component of his proposal. So it was viewed as an historic step when the UN General Assembly its creation. (January-March 2006)
In New York, panelists stress importance of interreligious dialogue
Governments should fight increased religious intolerance around the world by promoting dialogue both between and within religious groups — and by ensuring that women and political leaders are involved in such dialogues. (October-December 2005)
United Nations again expresses concern over human rights in Iran; a Bahá'í prisoner dies of unknown causes
For the 18th time since 1985, the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution expressing “serious concern” over the human rights situation in Iran, also making specific mention of the ongoing persecution of the Bahá'í community there. (October-December 2005)
In Iran, more arrests and another year without college for Bahá'í youth
Persecution against the Bahá'ís of Iran has continued to escalate in recent months, with fresh arrests in July, August, and September, and the arrival of another school year in which Bahá'í students are denied access to university. (July-September 2005)
Upsurge in arrests in Iran raises concern
In a striking upsurge in persecution, some 37 Bahá'ís were arrested and taken into custody in Iran during the months of March, April, and May 2005.
Bahá'í International Community dismayed at lack of human rights resolution on Iran as persecution worsens
The Bahá'í International Community has expressed its dismay and disappointment at the failure of the UN Commission on Human Rights even to consider a resolution on human rights in Iran this year.
UN again expresses concern about Iran's Bahá'ís
For the 17th time since 1985, the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution expressing “serious concern” over the human rights situation in Iran, making specific mention of the on-going persecution of the Bahá'í community there.
In Iran, a renewed persecution aims at "cultural cleansing"
In its ongoing persecution of the Bahá'í community, the Iranian government shifts to softer targets – destroying cultural landmarks and depriving youth of education – in an apparent effort to avoid international attention while smothering the country’s largest religious minority.
Bahá'í holy site destroyed in Iran
Government authorities in Iran have destroyed yet another Bahá'í holy site, the Bahá'í International Community learned in April. The gravesite of Quddús, a prominent figure in early Bahá'í history, has been razed to the ground, despite protests from Bahá'ís at the local, national, and international levels.
UN again expresses concern over human rights in Iran
For the 16th time in 19 years, the United Nations General Assembly expressed concern over continuing human rights violations in Iran, also making specific mention of the "continuing discrimination" faced by Bahá'ís and other religious minorities there. (October-December 2003)
In Finland, an emphasis on diversity leads to human rights award
Just after the birth of her fourth child, Melody Karvonen made a somewhat unusual career change. While still on maternity leave, Ms. Karvonen decided to end her 10-year career in architectural drafting and instead moved into human rights. (October-December 2003)
Review: A case study on religion and human rights
Human Rights, the UN and the Bahá'ís in Iran -- by Nazila Ghanea -- The coming of the new millennium has also brought a surprising upsurge in religious feeling around the world. Secularism, once thought to be the rising tide of modernism, seems to have been only a cresting wave. One side effect of the surge in religiosity has been an accompanying magnification of religious intolerance and even violence. (October-December 2003)
The Bahá'í International Community expresses concern about the human rights of Iranian Bahá'ís
GENEVA - The Bahá'í International Community has expressed deep disappointment that the UN Commission on Human Rights failed this year to put forward or adopt any kind of resolution on the human rights situation in Iran. (April-June 2003)
Worldwide, the Baha'i community issues an appeal for religious tolerance
In a letter to "the world's religious leaders," the Universal House of Justice warns of the danger posed by "the rising fires of religious prejudice" and calls for decisive action against fanaticism and intolerance.
UN General Assembly again expresses concern over treatment of Bahá'ís in Iran
UNITED NATIONS - For the 15th time in 16 years, the United Nations General Assembly has expressed "concern" over human rights violations in Iran, once again specifically mentioning the "unabated pattern of persecution" against the Bahá'í community of Iran, that country's largest religious minority, and calling for its complete emancipation. (OC12.3 / October-December 2000)
UN General Assembly expresses concern over human rights in Iran
UNITED NATIONS - For the 14th time in 15 years, the United Nations General Assembly has expressed "concern" over human rights violations in Iran, specifically mentioning the "unabated pattern of persecution" against Iran's Bahá'í community. (October-December 1999 / OC 11.3)
UN Commission on Human Rights again expresses concern for Iran's Bahá'ís
For the eighteenth time in eighteen years, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights has expressed its concern over human rights violations against the Bahá'ís of Iran, noting a "worsened pattern of persecution, including death sentences, executions, arrests and the closure of the Bahá'í Institute of Higher Education." (April-June 1999 / OC 11.1)
In Iran, Bahá’ís engage in "an elaborate act of communal self-preservation"
Government raids on 500 private homes and the arrest of some 30 faculty members seek to close the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education, a decentralized university that aimed to give Bahá’í students access to the education they have been otherwise denied. (October-December 1998 / OC 10.3)
NGOs and governments form a new coalition to promote religious tolerance
Some 200 representatives from various governments, non-governmental organizations and religious communities call for greater efforts to promote freedom of religion and belief, urging specifically that the UN office charged with monitoring religious intolerance be strengthened. (July-September 1998 / OC 10.2)