Baha’i Student Expelled

Source: bahaicamp.com

Translation by Iran Press Watch

According to a report from the “NO to the Harassment and Imprisonment of Baha’is in Iran” campaign; Elham Pakrou Miandoab was expelled from the Islamic Azad University, Malard Branch, because of her belief in the Baha’i Faith.

This Baha’i citizen, in an interview about her expulsion, explained that last month she was summoned to the security office of the University, where she was told that because she is a Baha’i she cannot continue her studies. When she asked for a formal warrant they told her they would not give her such a warrant; they threw her file on the ground in front of her and told her have a good day.

This Baha’i citizen further explained that after her expulsion she went to a private institute by the name of Asre Shabakeh to enroll herself there; they called the security office of the University and did not allow her to register there.

The Islamic Republic of Iran does not recognize the Baha’i Faith, nor does it recognize the rights of its followers.

Baha’is in Iran face many restrictions, including deprivation of the right to higher education and a ban on certain occupations.

In contrast, the first paragraph of Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that “Everyone has the right to education,” and that “Technical and professional education shall be made generally available, and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.” Also the first paragraph of the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education states that “For the purposes of this Convention, the term “discrimination” includes any distinction, exclusion, limitation or preference which, being based on race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, economic condition or birth, has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing equality of treatment in education”.