Source: www.hra-news.org
May 8, 2018
Translation by Iran Press Watch
Kaviz Noozdahi, a Baha’i citizen has been arrested in the city of Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province.
According to the HRANA news agency, Kaviz Noozdahi was arrested at his home during a raid conducted by authorities, in which his residence was searched and personal belongings, including Mr. Noozdehi’s computer, books and laptops, were confiscated.
In 2010 Mr. Noozdahi was sentenced to two years imprisonment on charges related to is membership in the Baha’i Faith. He served his sentence at Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad.
Bahá’í citizens in Iran are denied the freedom of religious beliefs. This systematic deprivation continues despite Iran having been a signatory of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
According to Articles 18 and 19 of the Declaration of Universal Human Rights, everyone has the right to freely choose his religion and express his belief. This right, “Insures that no one shall be harassed for his beliefs and that everyone is free to receive and disseminate information and ideas, with all possible means, and without any border considerations.”
Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
According to unofficial sources, there are more than 300,000 Baha’is in Iran. However, Iran’s Constitution only recognizes Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism. The regime and authorities has used this exclusion as the basis on which the Baha’is are denied their civil rights and religious freedom.
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