Baha'is as a Middle East Controversy

[IMSassafras]

Thank you, 9Harmony, for sharing this letter with us. It is so beautiful to see "action" take place by those people not even in the middle of the situation -- these people are true humanitarians. The support the Baha'i community is getting from these blessed humanitarians should serve to be such an eye opener for the rest of the world.

My prayers and support to all.

Sassafras

[smkolins]

Things are heating up in Egypt again.

You might recall that Egypt is in a modernization movement, where for example all citizens are to get identification papers. These papers are to list religious affiliation but the religious/cultural norms of the society allow for recognition only of Islam, Christianity, Judaism. Baha'is therefore would enter a legal no-man's land if they insist on recognition of their religion - and the thousands of Baha'is in Egypt, and the history entertwining Egypt and the Baha'i Faith would certainly enter a new era.

A couple seeking a marriage license had to get such identity papers and wanted their religion noted as Baha'i but were refused. They went to court and they agreed and it was appealed by the government. The matter became a subject of public debate in their Parliment, of a series of TV talk shows and newspaper coverages, and commentary among the blogs (both in arabic and english.)

There had been a scheduled hearing in Sept for the Supreme Court but it was postponed for a report reviewing the facts of the case to be made for consideration. The Court is scheduled to reconvene on the matter Nov 20th.

That report was released in 12 October.

It was entirely against the Bahá'ís as far as I can find...

A blog has covered the topic in depth. Baha'i Faith in Egypt but here's a summary:

it concluded that since the Baha'i Faith is not recognized in Egypt as a "divine religion," therefore its followers in that land have no rights whatsoever and that they simply do not exist! Consequently, they concluded that Egypt's Constitutional guarantees of freedom of belief and religion do not apply to the Baha'is. That Egypt is not bound to its commitment as a cosignatory to the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and that the Baha'is, in Egypt, should not be under its protection--since, as far as they are concerned, Egypt should have no obligations towards them! That the Baha'i are apostates (whether or not they descended from an Islamic background). That they are a threat to the "general [public] order" of the State, and that all their marriages are null and void.... That "methods must be defined that would insure that Baha'is are identified, confronted and singled out so that they could be watched carefully, isolated and monitored in order to protect the rest of the population as well as Islam from their danger, influence and their teachings." The report also calls for the original plaintiffs (the Baha'i family that won the case) to be charged for all court costs!

- note the language reminiscent of the Iranian secret plan to track Bahá'ís (but also understand that Egypt is a Sunni-Moslem country while Iran is a Shi'a-Moslem one and they have little tolerance even for eachother.)

Oct 19th President Mubarak made a speech about religious diverisity on the anniversary of the first night of the Revelation of God to Muhammad mentioned here with an open-ended call for core values of Islam for tolerance but did not mention any specifics:"Isn't it the time for a new religious discourse, that teaches people the correct things in their religion ... and promotes the values of tolerance against those of extremism and radicalism?"

Since then leading religious figures have continued to speak out against and for the Bahá'ís. Here's a report of an interview with a tolerant Muslim but also mentioning his extremist older brother.

[smkolins]

Things are heating up in Egypt again.

You might recall that Egypt is in a modernization movement, where for example all citizens are to get identification papers. These papers are to list religious affiliation but the religious/cultural norms of the society allow for recognition only of Islam, Christianity, Judaism. Baha'is therefore would enter a legal no-man's land if they insist on recognition of their religion - and the thousands of Baha'is in Egypt, and the history entertwining Egypt and the Baha'i Faith would certainly enter a new era.

A couple seeking a marriage license had to get such identity papers and wanted their religion noted as Baha'i but were refused. They went to court and they agreed and it was appealed by the government. The matter became a subject of public debate in their Parliment, of a series of TV talk shows and newspaper coverages, and commentary among the blogs (both in arabic and english.)

There had been a scheduled hearing in Sept for the Supreme Court but it was postponed for a report reviewing the facts of the case to be made for consideration. The Court is scheduled to reconvene on the matter Nov 20th.

That report was released in 12 October.

It was entirely against the Bahá'ís as far as I can find...

A blog has covered the topic in depth. Baha'i Faith in Egypt but here's a summary:

it concluded that since the Baha'i Faith is not recognized in Egypt as a "divine religion," therefore its followers in that land have no rights whatsoever and that they simply do not exist! Consequently, they concluded that Egypt's Constitutional guarantees of freedom of belief and religion do not apply to the Baha'is. That Egypt is not bound to its commitment as a cosignatory to the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and that the Baha'is, in Egypt, should not be under its protection--since, as far as they are concerned, Egypt should have no obligations towards them! That the Baha'i are apostates (whether or not they descended from an Islamic background). That they are a threat to the "general [public] order" of the State, and that all their marriages are null and void.... That "methods must be defined that would insure that Baha'is are identified, confronted and singled out so that they could be watched carefully, isolated and monitored in order to protect the rest of the population as well as Islam from their danger, influence and their teachings." The report also calls for the original plaintiffs (the Baha'i family that won the case) to be charged for all court costs!

- note the language reminiscent of the Iranian secret plan to track Bahá'ís (but also understand that Egypt is a Sunni-Moslem country while Iran is a Shi'a-Moslem one and they have little tolerance even for eachother.)

Oct 19th President Mubarak made a speech about religious diverisity on the anniversary of the first night of the Revelation of God to Muhammad mentioned here with an open-ended call for core values of Islam for tolerance but did not mention any specifics:"Isn't it the time for a new religious discourse, that teaches people the correct things in their religion ... and promotes the values of tolerance against those of extremism and radicalism?"

Since then leading religious figures have continued to speak out against and for the Bahá'ís. Here's a report of an interview with a tolerant Muslim but also mentioning his extremist older brother.

[arthra]

Thanks very much for keeping us abreast with developements in Egypt....It does appear ominous that some leaders of the country may be trying to rationalize some way of escaping their obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which protects freedom of belief...very chilling indeed!

- Art

[smkolins]

Originally Posted by smkolins

Things are heating up in Egypt again.

You might recall that Egypt is in a modernization movement, where for example all citizens are to get identification papers. These papers are to list religious affiliation but the religious/cultural norms of the society allow for recognition only of Islam, Christianity, Judaism. Baha'is therefore would enter a legal no-man's land if they insist on recognition of their religion - and the thousands of Baha'is in Egypt, and the history entertwining Egypt and the Baha'i Faith would certainly enter a new era.

Indeed and it would approach how bad it is now in Iran...

You might recall that the religious leadership in Iran, with formal authority within the government of Iran, had sent out a secret letter detailing that Baha'is should be kept track of in October 2005. This letter had been discovered by a UN official March 2006. The Anti-Defamation League said the orders issued in the 29 October letter were “reminiscent of the steps taken against Jews in Europe ".

Well there's a new letter. Dated August 16th, another secret letter was sent and leaked by November. It's far more detailed about what the Iranian government is to do with the "the perverse sect of Bahaism" - a copy of the cover letter can be read here.

This letter and it's survey asks provincial deputies of the Department of Politics and Security in Offices of the Governors’ General to order “relevant offices to cautiously and sensitively monitor and supervise” all Baha'i social activities about the circumstances and activities of local Baha'is, including their “financial status,” “social interactions,” and “association with foreign assemblies,” and asks for information on the ‘socio-political activities’ of Baha'is – even though it is well known to authorities that Baha'is are entirely non-political in their activities in every country, inasmuch as the Baha'i sacred writings stress the importance of non-involvement in partisan politics, as well as non-violence. The news is covered by the Baha'i UN representatives to the UN (who are one of many NGOs represented there.)

[arthra]

European Union passes resolution calling on Iran to lift bans on Baha'is:



Freedom of religion

I. whereas, apart from Islam, only Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Judaism are recognised as religions by law, while those who practise unrecognised religions, such as Baha'is and Sufis, are discriminated against and violently repressed; whereas notably the Baha'is cannot exercise their religion and are moreover consequently deprived of all civil rights, such as their rights to property and access to higher education,



Freedom of religion

13. Calls on the Iranian authorities to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on religious grounds; notably calls for the de facto ban on practising the Baha'i faith to be lifted;...



Source:



Ahwazi: European Parliament Adopts Resolution

[arthra]

Duplicate post...

[arthra]

A few days ago I posted an entry about a resolution of the Europian Paliament and now a committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations has passed a similar resolution:

UN EXPRESSES "SERIOUS CONCERN" OVER HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN, INCLUDING
THE
SITUATION OF BAHA'IS

UNITED NATIONS, 22 November 2006 (BWNS) -- A committee of the United
Nations General Assembly yesterday passed a resolution expressing
"serious concern" over the human rights situation in Iran, including
the
escalation of violations against Iranian Baha'is.

The resolution passed the Assembly's Third Committee by a vote of 70
to
48 on 21 November 2006. It will now go to the General Assembly
plenary
for vote, in December. The Third Committee considers human rights
issues for the Assembly.

Put forward by Canada and co-sponsored by 43 countries, the
resolution
calls on Iran to "eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of
discrimination based on religious, ethnic or linguistic grounds, and
other
human rights violations against persons belonging to minorities,
including Arabs, Azeris, Baha'is, Baluchis, Kurds, Christians, Jews,
Sufis,
and Sunni Muslims."

The resolution takes particular note of the worsening situation
facing
Iran's 300,000-member Baha'i community, noting "reports of plans by
the
state to identify and monitor Baha'is," "an increase in cases of
arbitrary arrest and detention," and "the denial of freedom of
religion or of
publicly carrying out communal affairs."

The resolution also expresses concern over the "destruction of sites
of
religious importance" to Baha'is and "the suspension of social,
educational and community-related activities and the denial of
access to
higher education, employment, pensions, adequate housing and other
benefits"
for Baha'is.

"We are extremely grateful to the international community for this
significant show of support for the Baha'is of Iran," said Bani
Dugal, the
principal representative of the Community to the United Nations.

"The level of persecution and discrimination facing the Baha'i
community of Iran has steadily worsened over the past year. The
Government has
stepped up its covert monitoring of Baha'is, and at present more
than
129 Baha'is are awaiting trial on false charges, targeted solely
because
of their religion.

"The General Assembly and its Third Committee deserve special praise
for stepping into the gap created by the slow start of the new UN
Human
Rights Council, which has not yet made fully operational its mission
of
upholding the international human rights regime," said Ms. Dugal.

If approved by the General Assembly, which is likely given
yesterday's
vote, the resolution will be the nineteenth expressing concern over
human rights in Iran since 1985. All of these resolutions have taken
particular note of Iran's systematic persecution of the Baha'i
community.

Over the last two years, Baha'is have been arrested, released on
bail,
and are now awaiting trial throughout the country. The bail demands
have been high, in most cases requiring the Baha'is to hand over
considerable sums of money, deeds to property, business or work
licenses.

As well, evidence has emerged over the last year that the Government
has established a program to monitor and identify Baha'is. That
program,
documented in secret government memoranda that have been made public
by
human rights defenders, has been the focus of considerable outcry.

Earlier this month, for example, the Baha'i International Community
obtained a letter from Iran's Ministry of Interior that ordered
officials
throughout the country to step up the surveillance of Iranian
Baha'is.

The 19 August 2006 letter requested provincial officials to complete
a
detailed questionnaire about the circumstances and activities of
local
Baha'is, including their "financial status," "social interactions,"
and
"association with foreign assemblies," among other things. It
specifically asked "relevant offices to cautiously and sensitively
monitor and
supervise" all Baha'i social activities.


To view the photos and additional features click here:
Baha'i World News Service - Front Page

For more information,
visit
Baha'i World News Service - Front Page.

[arthra]

Baha'is in Egypt may face serious issues:

Egypt court sets date for full hearing on Baha'i case

CAIRO, 25 November 2006 (BWNS) --

The date for a full hearing on a closely watched court case over the right of a Baha'i couple here to have their religion properly identified on state identification cards has now been set.

At a procedural hearing on 20 November, Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court continued the case to 2 December 2006, when it is now scheduled to be heard by the entire three-member court in a plenary session.

The decision comes a few days after the United States Committee on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) issued a press release urging the Egyptian government to end its current policy on identification cards, which requires citizens to list one of three officially recognized religions, even if they are members of a minority religion like the Baha'i Faith or another belief system.

"Current Egyptian policy essentially turns Baha'is into non-citizens because without an identity card they cannot gain access to government services like education and employment, or engage in basic financial transactions, such as opening a bank account or obtaining a driver's license," said Commission Chair Felice D. Gaer in a press release issued on 16 November. "It is even illegal to be in public without a card.

"This policy is highly discriminatory and is incompatible with international standards. The current court case provides the Egyptian government with an opportunity to change its policy and omit mention of religious affiliation from identity documents or to make optional any mention of religious affiliation," said Ms. Gaer.

In April, a lower administrative court ruled that the Baha'i couple should be identified as Baha'is on official documents, a decision that if upheld will essentially overturn the government's policy of allowing people to choose from only from Islam, Christianity or Judaism on state documents.

The lower court's ruling provoked an outcry among fundamentalist elements in Egyptian society and the case has since gained international attention in the news media and from human rights groups.

Because they are unwilling to lie about their religion on government documents, Baha'is in Egypt are increasingly unable to gain legal access to basic citizenship rights, including employment, education, medical and financial services.

The government appealed the lower court's ruling in early May, and a court hearing was set for 19 June. Subsequent postponements were made to 16 September, 20 November, and now to 2 December.


uno-bp-06 11 25 -1-EGYPTSETDEC-492-N

Source:

Baha'i World News Service - Egypt court sets date for full hearing on Baha'i case

[smkolins]

Current events are coming along quickly in Egypt.

Go to Google or you own choice of search engine and put in "blogs egyptian Baha'is" and the number one site will be a personal blig by a Baha'i from Egypt (but I think not actually in Egypt.) There you can get a personal point of view on ongoing events. There is a great deal of background information - like there are many other blogs by Egyptian nationals that are supporting, generally, the right of Baha'is to have some kind of entry allowed on the National ID cards. Reading back through the stories will give you some information on the lawyers for the Baha'is, some history on the Baha'is in Egypt, arguments on Egyptian TV and Newspapers as well as coverage of some of their congressional and other national speeches.

Due to the world date system, they're Saturday, Dec 16th, the date of the Supreme Court of Egypt's decision, will be late today for us. I believe they are 7 or so timezones ahead of us so for them their Friday evening has begun and by our Friday evening, their Saturday morning will have begun.

[arthra]

Report from Egypt:

EGYPTIAN COURT RULES AGAINST BAHA'IS, UPHOLDING GOVERNMENT POLICY OF
DISCRIMINATION

CAIRO, 16 December 2006 (BWNS) --

In a closely watched case that has
become the focus of a national debate on religious freedom, Egypt's
Supreme Administrative Court today ruled against the right of
Baha'is to be
properly identified on government documents.

The decision upholds current government policy, a policy which
forces
the Baha'is either to lie about their religious beliefs or give up
their
state identification cards. The policy effectively deprives Egyptian
Baha'is of access to most rights of citizenship, including
education,
financial services, and even medical care.

"We deplore the Court's ruling in this case, which violates an
extensive body of international law on human rights and religious
freedom to
which Egypt has long been a party," said Bani Dugal, the principal
representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United
Nations.

"Since this was the last avenue of appeal in this particular case,
the
Court's decision threatens to make non-citizens of an entire
religious
community, solely on the basis of religious belief," said Ms. Dugal.

"Our hope now is that the public debate over this issue will cause
the
Egyptian government to rectify its discriminatory policies," said
Ms.
Dugal. "This could be accomplished either by allowing Baha'is to be
listed on government documents, by abolishing the religious
affiliation
listing entirely or, simply, by allowing the word 'other' to be
legally
included on state identification forms."

The case stems from a lawsuit filed against the government by a
married
couple, Husam Izzat Musa and Ranya Enayat Rushdy, who had their
identification cards and passports confiscated after they applied to
have
their daughters added to their passports, which listed the Baha'i
Faith as
their religion.

In Egypt, all citizens must list their religious affiliation on
state
ID cards and other documents, and current policy requires that they
choose from one of the three officially recognized religions -
Islam,
Christianity or Judaism.

In April, a lower administrative court ruled in favor of the couple,
saying the state must issue them ID cards that properly identified
their
religion. The ruling said that even if the government did not
recognize
the Baha'i Faith, adherents should still have their religious status
properly stated on official documents.

That ruling provoked an outcry among extremist elements in Egyptian
society, who objected to any official mention of a religion other
than the
three mentioned in the Qur'an, opening a vigorous debate over issues
of
religious freedom and tolerance here.

Since April, more than 400 articles, stories, commentaries and
programs
have appeared in the Egyptian and Arabic news media about the case
or
its fallout. As well, independent human rights organizations here
and
abroad have closely followed the issue.

In May, the government appealed the lower court's ruling, which
brought
the case before the Supreme Administrative Court.

On 2 December, a final hearing was held on the case, at which Baha'i
lawyers argued for rejection of the government's appeal, on the
basis
that the lower court's ruling is fully supported by Egyptian law.
The
Court said at that time that it would release its final ruling today.


To view the photos and additional features click here:
Baha'i World News Service - Front Page


For more information,
visit
Baha'i World News Service - Front Page.

[arthra]

"Baha'is in Egypt fight for recognition as people"

by Cynthia Johnston (Reuters, February 20, 2007)

Cairo, Egypt - If Egyptian dentist Raouf Hindy would only deny his Baha'i faith, he could get his children the identity documents they need to enrol in Egyptian schools and later to marry, drive a car or open a bank account.

But Hindy has insisted on telling the truth.

His decision has thrust him to the forefront of a legal battle over Egypt's identity politics by Baha'is, who are seen as heretics by many Muslims and whose faith is not recognized by the state.

Hindy is suing the government for the right to omit religion from his children's official documents -- a bold act in this deeply religious, majority-Muslim country where the tiny Baha'i community is said to number between 500 and 2,000.

If he wins, lawyers say the case may set a precedent that would help other Baha'is get identity papers largely denied them since 2004. Discrimination against Baha'is is entrenched in Egyptian bureaucracy, they say.

"I don't like any person to force me to write a religion I don't believe in. You know why? Religion is between your heart and God," Hindy told Reuters.

The Egyptian constitution guarantees religious freedom but in practice officials are reluctant to recognize religions other than Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

Rights activists say Baha'is face systematic persecution in Egypt. Rules, rigidly enforced since Egypt computerized its identity card system, require that people's official documents show a religious affiliation, and it must be chosen from among the three recognized faiths.

To read more go to

WorldWide Religious News-Baha'is in Egypt fight for recognition as people

[arthra]

OFFICIAL CHARACTER OF BAHA'I EXPULSIONS IN IRANIAN UNIVERSITY REVEALED

NEW YORK, 7 March 2007 (BWNS) -- The Baha'i International Community has
obtained a document that appears to confirm double-dealing by Iran in
its policy towards Baha'i students seeking higher education.

The document, a 2 November 2006 letter from the headquarters of Payame
Noor University to its regional branches, states that it is government
policy that Baha'i students "cannot enroll" in Iranian universities and
that if they are already enrolled, "they should be expelled."

"This document provides proof of Iran's duplicitous behavior regarding
Iranian Baha'i students," said Bani Dugal, the Baha'i International
Community's principal representative to the United Nations.

"In its public face, Iran claims that it has finally opened the doors
to Baha'i students, after some 25 years of keeping them out of public
and private universities in Iran," said Ms. Dugal.

"But, as evidenced by this confidential memorandum from the Payame Noor
central office, the real policy is apparently to simply expel Baha'is
as soon as they can be identified."

Indeed, the content of the letter sharply contradicts denials issued
last week by an Iranian government spokesperson when asked to comment on
figures released by the Baha'i International Community showing that a
large number of Baha'i university students have been expelled so far
this year, solely because of religious discrimination.

According to a report by Reuters on 28 February 2007, a spokesperson
for the Iranian mission to the United Nations, who had requested his name
not be used, was asked about the high percentage of expelled students
and replied: "No one in Iran because of their religion has been expelled
from studying."

Until two years ago, all Baha'i students were kept out of universities
by the requirement that everyone list their religion on entrance
examination forms. Baha'is were automatically rejected.

After pressure from the international community and human rights
organizations, Iran changed its policy and dropped the religious affiliation
requirement.

Last autumn, hundreds of Baha'is passed the examination and some 178
were admitted into the university of their choice. So far this school
year, however, at least 70 Baha'i students have been expelled as
universities have learned that they were Baha'is.

The 2 November letter was issued on the letterhead of Iran's Ministry
of Science, Research and Technology, and goes out from Payame Noor's
"Central Protection Office" to directors of the university's regional
centers.

"With respect, according to the ruling of the Cultural Revolutionary
Council and the instructions of the Ministry of Information and the Head
Protection Office of the Central Organization of Payame Noor
University, Baha'is cannot enroll in universities and higher education centers,"
states the letter.

"Therefore, such cases if encountered should be reported, their
enrollment should be strictly avoided, and if they are already enrolled they
should be expelled."

Payame Noor University is "the largest state university in terms of
student numbers and coverage," according to the university's website, with
some 467,000 students in 74 degree programs at 257 study centers and
units throughout the country.

So far this year, at least 30 Baha'i students have been expelled from
Payame Noor.

To view view the document in English, go to:

http://info.bahai.org/pdf/payame_noo...mo_english.pdf


To view the document in Arabic, go to:

http://info.bahai.org/pdf/payame_noo...memo_farsi.pdf


For more information about the expulsion of Baha'is from universities
in Iran, go to Baha'i World News Service - Iranian Baha'is face continuing discrimination in higher education


To view the photos and additional features click here:
Baha'i World News Service - Front Page

--
8-bp-070307-1-PAYAMENOOR-510-S

[Mick]

I am posting excerpts from the United States State Departments report on human rights practices in Iran. If anybody would like to read the complete report they may go to US State Department's 2006 Report on Human Rights Practices in Iran


3/7/07 US State Department's 2006 Report on Human Rights Practices in Iran


The Islamic Republic of Iran, with a population of approximately 68 million, is a constitutional, theocratic republic in which Shi'a Muslim clergy dominate the key power structures. Article Four of the constitution states that "All laws and regulations…shall be based on Islamic principles." Government legitimacy is based on the twin pillars of popular sovereignty (Article Six) and the rule of the Supreme Jurisconsulate, or Supreme Leader (Article Five).

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dominated the tricameral structure of government (legislative, executive, and judicial branches). He was not directly elected but chosen by an elected body of religious leaders, the Assembly of Experts. Khamenei directly controlled the armed forces and exercised indirect control over the internal security forces, the judiciary, and other key institutions. Hardline conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the presidency in June 2005 in an election widely viewed as neither free nor fair.

...

Numerous publishers, editors, and journalists (including those working on Internet sites) were detained, jailed, tortured, and fined, or they were prohibited from publishing their writings during the year (see sections 1.e. and 2.a.).
Adherents of the Baha'i faith continued to face arbitrary arrest and detention (see section 2.c.)....


Property Restitution
The constitution allows the government to confiscate property acquired either illicitly or in a manner not in conformance with Islamic law. The UN Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on Adequate Housing noted religious minorities, including members of the Baha'i faith, were particularly affected. The UNSR's June report noted the "abusive use of [the law] is seen as an instrument for confiscating property of individuals as a form of retribution for their political and/or religious beliefs." The report noted documentation of approximately 640 Baha'i properties confiscated since 1980, instances of numerous undocumented cases, and court verdicts declaring confiscation of property from the "evil sect of the Baha'i" legally and religiously justifiable. Rights of members of the Baha'i faith were not recognized under the constitution, and they have no avenue to seek restitution of or compensation for confiscated property.


...
In April the Minister of Communications and Information Technology announced the government's intention to establish a "national Internet," which would improve on the costly monitoring process that required Web site information to exit the country and then return. A study published by HRW in October 2005 listed Internet sites that had been blocked in the country, including women's rights sites, several foreign-based, Farsi-language news sites, some popular sites of Internet writers, the Freedom Movement Party Web site, a Web site promoting the views of Ayatollah Montazeri, several Kurdish Web sites, Web sites dedicated to political prisoners, and a Baha'i Web site. In October 2005 government authorities also blocked access to the Baztab news Web site. The Web site manager said they received a judicial order saying the temporary ban was based on a complaint related to the nuclear issue. In December 2005 13 Majles deputies protested Internet censorship in a letter to President Ahmadinejad and urged him to end the ban on these three sites...



c. Freedom of Religion
The constitution declares that the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism." The constitution also states that "other Islamic denominations are to be accorded full respect" and recognizes the country's pre-Islamic religions--Zoroastrians, Christians, and Jews--as "protected" religious minorities; however, in practice the government restricted freedom of religion. Religions not specifically protected under the constitution, particularly the Baha'i Faith, did not enjoy freedom.


The central feature of the country's Islamic republican system is rule by the "religious jurisconsult." Its senior leadership consisted principally of Shi'a clergymen, including the supreme leader of the revolution, the president, the head of the judiciary, and the speaker of parliament.


During the year, for the first time, approximately 200 Baha'i students were admitted to universities. However, it was not known if their admission resulted from changed government policy or a change in the use of university application forms.


On May 19, officials arrested 54 Baha'is in Shiraz. No charges were made, and all but three were released on bail within a week. The remaining three Baha'is were released on June 14.


On June 28, authorities re-arrested Baha'i member Pooya Mavahhed, who was first arrested in August 2005 on a charge of opposition to the government but was released 10 days later on bail.



On August 17, according to press reports, authorities arrested Babak Rouhi in Mashad on counts of having made copies of a Baha'i book for a Baha'i function.
Societal Abuses and Discrimination


The population is approximately 99 percent Muslim; 89 percent of the population is Shi'a, and 10 percent is Sunni. Baha'i, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Jewish communities constitute less than 1 percent of the population.


The legal system previously discriminated against recognized religious minorities in relation to blood money; however, in 2004 the Expediency Council authorized collection of equal blood money for the death of Muslim and non-Muslim men. Women and Baha'i men remained excluded from the revised ruling.


Inheritance rules favored Muslim family members over non-Muslims. For example, under existing inheritance laws, if a non-Muslim converted to Islam, that person would inherit all family holdings while non-Muslim relatives would receive nothing.


Furthermore, proselytizing of Muslims by non-Muslims is illegal. The government did not ensure the right of citizens to change or recant their religion. Apostasy, specifically conversion from Islam, was punishable by death, although there were no reported instances of the death penalty being applied for apostasy during the year. There was no further information on the Internet report of a Christian killed in November 2005 who had converted from Islam 10 years earlier.Baha'is are considered apostates because of their claim to a religious revelation subsequent to that of the Prophet Mohammed. The government defined the Baha'i faith as a political "sect" linked to the Pahlavi monarchy and Israel and, therefore, counterrevolutionary.


Baha'i organizations outside the country warned that the government intensified a strategy of intimidation against Baha'is.The country's estimated 300,000 to 350,000 Baha'is were not allowed to teach or practice their faith or to maintain links with co-religionists abroad. The government continued to imprison and detain Baha'is based on their religious beliefs. A 2001 Justice Ministry report indicated the existence of a government policy to eliminate the Baha'i community eventually.


In March the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief expressed concern about allegations that security forces were monitoring and gathering information about the Baha'i community. Baha'i groups reported the government was collecting names of Baha'is across the country, and there was an increase of anti-Baha'i editorials in progovernment newspapers.


In December 2005 the longest held Baha'i prisoner, Zabihullah Mahrami, died in prison of unknown causes. Mahrami was arrested in 1995 and faced a life sentence for apostasy. Another Baha'i, Mehran Kawsari, who was sentenced to three years in prison in November 2004 after writing a letter to then-president Khatami on the situation of Baha'is, was released on bail on March 18.


On May 19, 54 Baha'is were arrested in the city of Shiraz. Those arrested were primarily Baha'i youths participating in a student volunteer program to tutor underprivileged children. All were released by mid-June.


Throughout 2005 the government arrested 65 other Baha'is, detained them, and later released them on high bails, often in the form of property deeds. While they were imprisoned, their families often were not informed of their location, and authorities denied any record of their arrests or did not indicate charges against them. Some were not allowed to work for several months after their release. Government agents also searched numerous Baha'i homes and seized possessions.


In October the National Spiritual Assembly of Baha'is of the United Statesreported that more than 300 Baha'i students passed the university entrance exam in the country and were admitted. The Baha'i group reported 201 students were allowed to register for university, but 14 were identified as Baha'is by their professors, dismissed from classes, and told they would need a Ministry of Education certificate to resume studies. At year's end they had reportedly not received responses from the ministry.


The December 19 UNGA resolution on the country's human rightsexpressed serious concerns about increasing discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities, citing the escalation and increased frequency of violations against Baha'is. It called on the government to implement the 1996 UNSR report of the Commission on Human Rights on religious tolerance, particularly in regard to the Baha'i community.

[arthra]

This video which is over twenty years old still has a powewrful impact and shows a little of the background of the present persecutions:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5189195269738007110&q=20+20+bahai