Experts speak they are deeply concerned about the increasing number of arbitrary arrests and forced disappearances of members of the Baha’i faith, as well as the destruction or confiscation of their property, “which brings all all the signs of a systematic repressive policy”.
They added, these behaviors are not isolated, but form part of a broader policy to target any dissident beliefs or religious practicesincluding Catholic converts, Gonabadi and atheists.
Call to action
“International community can’t keep silent while the Iranian authorities use excessive and vague national security and espionage allegations to silence religious minorities or dissidents, remove them from their homes and force them to effectively internally relocated,” their statement said.
According to experts, the Baha’i community is one of the most severely persecuted religious minorities in Iran. The faith was founded in the 19th century by a nobleman named Baháʼu I’lláh, whom followers consider a prophet.
UN experts say this year has seen a A marked increase in Baha’is arrests, as well as targeting. By April, they had received reports that more than 1,000 members are waiting to be jailedafter their arrest and initial hearing.
Raids and arrests
Since July, security forces have raided the homes of more than 35 Bahas in different cities all over Iran. Several people were also arrested, including three former leaders, who were later charged with “illegal management of [Bahá’í] administrative”, carries a sentence of 10 years.
One of the leaders, Afif Naimi, was forcibly disappeared for more than a monthuntil his fate and whereabouts are revealed.
This month, violent intelligence and security agents demolish at least eight houses belonging to Baha’i families in Mazandaran province and had 20 hectares of their land confiscated. Those who attempted to challenge the operation were arrested.
Experts have previously written to the Iranian authorities about the situation of the Baha’i minority, reiterating February 2021 media concerns about systematic violations of property and housing rights.
‘Intolerance is punishable by the state’
They added that more than 90 Baha’i students have been banned from enrolling in universities up to the present this year. Last month, the Ministry of Education accused community members of being involved in espionage, propagating Baha’i teachings and infiltrating educational institutions.
Independent rights experts are seriously concerned that the provisions of the Penal Code are being used to prosecute individuals for religious reasons and based on allegations that they have expressed views that are considered critical or offensive to Islam.
Experts have also repeatedly raised concerns about blasphemy crime under the Penal Code, which imposes severe penalties such as life imprisonment and the death penalty, contrary to international human rights law.
Such state-sanctioned intolerance fuels extremism and violence, they said. “We appeal to the Iranian authorities eliminate blasphemy and take meaningful steps to ensure freedom of religion or belief and freedom of opinion and expression without discrimination. ”
About UN experts
The experts who made the claim were Javaid Rehman, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran; Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on Minority Affairsand members of Working Group on Compulsory or Involuntary Disappearance.
Experts receive their assignments from the UN Dong Nhan Quyen Association in Geneva, and works on a voluntary basis.
They are not employees of the United Nations, nor are they paid for their work.
