Continuous repression against the Baha'i community in the Islamic Republic of Iran
| Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
| Publication Date | 29 May 2008 |
| Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, Continuous repression against the Baha'i community in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 29 May 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4847ac7328.html [accessed 7 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. |
Thursday 29 May 2008
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Iranian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LDDHI) strongly condemn the continuous repression against the Baha'i community in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Six Baha'i leaders were arrested in Tehran on 14 May 2008, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and are currently detained at the Evin prison in Tehran.
The six men and women arrested are members of the national coordinating group of Baha'i in Iran. According to the Baha'i International Community (BIC), the arrests took place during a early morning raid on the residences of the persons concerned. Out of the six members, three of them have been previously arrested and were released after periods of detention ranging from five days to four months. Those arrested on 14 May 2008 are: Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm.
The seventh member of the national coordinating group, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet had been arrested in Mashhad in March 2008, after being summoned by the Ministry of Intelligence office.
The national-level coordinating group is an informal organ that was formed with the knowledge of the government to assist 300,000-member Baha'i community in Iran.
FIDH and LDDHI strongly urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately release the seven members of the Baha'i community, to stop persecution of the minority communities in Iran and to respect international human rights standards, in particular the freedom of religion and belief as guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
