U.S. calls on Iran to free jailed Baha'i leaders
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 14 May 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. calls on Iran to free jailed Baha'i leaders, 14 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59818d7c4.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 14, 2017 17:11 GMT
By RFE/RL
Jamaleddin Khanjani is one of the Iranian Baha'i leaders imprisoned since spring 2008.
The United States has condemned Iran's imprisonment of leaders of the Baha'i religious minority and called on Tehran to release them and other prisoners of conscience.
Seven Baha'i leaders were arrested by Iranian authorities nine years ago and convicted of espionage and spreading propaganda against the clerical establishment.
They were reportedly sentenced to 20 years in prison. Their sentences were later reduced to 10 years.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a May 14 statement that their cases "are further evidence of Iran's continued disregard for and violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms."
"We condemn their continued imprisonment, as well as reported abuses against them while incarcerated, and call upon Iran to release them immediately, along with all other prisoners of conscience in Iran," Nauert said.
The Baha'i faith is not recognized in the constitution of Iran, which has been ruled by a conservative Muslim establishment since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Asma Jahangir, the UN special rapporteur for Iran, said in a March report that members of the community in Iran "continue to be systematically discriminated, targeted, and deprived them of the right to a livelihood."
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
