World calls for unconditional release of Baha'i leaders and other Iranian prisoners of conscience

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In New Delhi, campaigners from United4Iran, the Trans Asia Alliance and the Asian Center for Human Rights joined Baha'is in a peaceful march on Sunday 1 April across the city, calling for the release of Iran's jailed seven Baha'i leaders. Following the march, the group gathered at the city's famous Red Fort.
In New Delhi, campaigners from United4Iran, the Trans Asia Alliance and the Asian Center for Human Rights joined Baha'is in a peaceful march on Sunday 1 April across the city, calling for the release of Iran's jailed seven Baha'i leaders. Following the march, the group gathered at the city's famous Red Fort.

[BWNS 3 April 2012] NEW YORK — The plight of Iran’s seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders has been capturing the public’s attention in 12 of the world’s major cities, where a day of action marked the combined total of 10,000 days that the seven have so far spent in prison.

In an initiative coordinated by human rights organization United4Iran, the image of the seven was widely displayed on Sunday 1 April – on mobile billboards, buses, bicycles, a canal boat, and T-shirts.

The billboard image of the Baha’i leaders was a mosaic of smaller photographs of hundreds of people currently jailed in Iran including journalists, trade unionists, politicians, student and women’s activists, and religious leaders.

“The plight of these seven is representative of the countless Iranian men and women who have been jailed for defending their freedom and human rights,” said Firuzeh Mahmoudi, United4Iran’s director and founder.

“Our message to the seven is this: The world has not forgotten you, and we will continue to fight for your freedom and that of other Iranian prisoners of conscience.”

904_01 In New Delhi, India, around 200 campaigners carrying banners marched across the city in an action that was co-supported by the Trans Asia Alliance and the Asian Center for Human Rights. The Center’s director Suhas Chakma said, “Iran has failed to respect international human rights standards on fair trial and therefore must release the seven unconditionally.”

In South Africa, buses displaying the image of the seven prisoners are following routes in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria.

A large truck bearing the same image toured Brazil’s federal capital, Brasilia. Brazilian supporters wore T-shirts that spelled out “Libertem Baha’is Irã” (“Free Baha’is Iran”).

In Berlin, Germany, the picture of the seven was displayed around the city on special bicycles. The initiative was launched by German Member of Parliament Serkan Tören, who is a Muslim of Turkish origin. “I urge the Iranian Government to grant the Baha’i Faith community the right of religious freedom to which Iran has an obligation under international law. I urge the international community to maintain pressure on Iran in order to fulfill its international obligation,” said Mr. Tören.

In the Netherlands, the poster of the prisoners travelled by barge on Amsterdam’s canals while mobile billboards also generated interest as they toured Sydney (Australia), Paris (France), Wellington (New Zealand), London (U.K.) and Washington D.C. (U.S.A).

The seven Baha’i prisoners are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. Prior to their arrests in 2008, they were members of an ad-hoc national-level group which attended to the spiritual and social needs of Iran’s Baha’i community. They are each serving 20-year jail terms handed down after six brief court sessions characterized by a lack of due legal process. The seven categorically denied such charges as espionage, propaganda against the Islamic republic and the establishment of an illegal administration.

“The seven were, and remain, totally innocent of any wrongdoing,” said Bani Dugal, the Baha’i International Community’s principal representative to the United Nations.

“Ten thousand days of their lives have literally been stolen from them forever – days which they would have dedicated to the service of their fellow countrymen,” she said. “The day is long overdue when these prisoners are freed to be able to make their contribution to the country they love.”

Source: http://news.bahai.org/story/904

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5 Responses

  1. César

    April 5, 2012 2:30 am

    It is a very shameful act by the government of a county that claims to be advanced and progressive. In the 21 century!!
    Until when such barbaric acts will be committed? It is time to liberate such citizens.

  2. Nasser

    April 6, 2012 3:24 am

    The reason for the imprisonment of these seven innocent souls, the academics / administrators of online Baha’i university, the BIHE, and all other Baha’i prisoners which is purely because of their religious belief; by itself is an interesting Case Study. It is also interesting to know the way these souls conduct themselves, the way their family members handle their own frustration with dignity, tolerance and patience , should be highlighted and the wider international community exemplify such a unique and dignified behaviour.

  3. Dr. samuel Johnson

    April 9, 2012 8:36 pm

    There is NO conspiracy. It’s all in your head (you are crazy)

  4. Vafa-Canada

    April 10, 2012 4:32 pm

    THANK YOU to all those who fight for Human Rights and bring these atrocities to the public attention.
    SHAME on those who promote injustice and protect Human rights abusers (i.e Islamic Republic of Iran & their agents).

  5. Steven Speilberg

    April 10, 2012 5:49 pm

    Ok, Vafa, come to the front. Cesar, go to the back. Be more realistic. Nasser: I want more drama. “The reason for the imprisonment of these seven innocent soul” sounds too dovish to me. Americans will never buy that. You have to sound more neutral.

    say “the reason for the emprisonment of the 7 Baha’is” instead. We need a photo montage of Ahmadinejad cuting the hand of one of the 7 prisonners. We will have human rights watch testify they saw it with their own eyes.

    ACTION!

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