Baha'is in Iran 'face new wave of arrests,' says Baha'i International Community
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 25 May 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Baha'is in Iran 'face new wave of arrests,' says Baha'i International Community, 25 May 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5b20de686.html [accessed 20 May 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 25, 2018 13:46 GMT
By RFE/RL
The Baha'i International Community (BIC) says Baha'is in Iran are facing a new wave of arrests and raids on their homes across different cities in the country.
The community said in a May 25 statement that the "systematic nature" of the arrests in a number of provinces including Isfahan, Alborz and Razavi Khorasan, suggests "a coordinated strategy on the part of government authorities."
"In many cases, detentions have been accompanied by raids on personal homes and the seizure of religious books and writings," the statement said.
Baha'is in Iran face state harassment and discrimination and their faith is not officially recognized.
In past years, many Baha'is have been banned from higher education and their businesses have been shut down.
Many have been persecuted for their religious beliefs.
The Baha'i International Community called on Iran to ensure the immediate release of all these detained individuals and to end the four-decade long discrimination of its Baha'i citizens.
