Baha’i Student Dismissed from Kerman Azad University on Grounds of Religion

Source: www.hra-news.org

Translation by Iran Press Watch

HRA News Agency: Hooman Imani, an undergraduate graphic design student, has been expelled from Kerman Azad University for being Baha’i.

According to the HRA (Human Rights Activists in Iran) News Agency, Hooman Imani, a 2nd semester student in graphic arts, has been expelled from Kerman Azad University because he is a Baha’i, and has been prevented from continuing his education.

Hooman Imani, a student of Kerman Azad University, who was accepted in 2017, is a student who was seeking an associate’s degree in graphic arts.

Despite their explicit right granted by law, according to the Supreme Council of the Iranian Cultural Revolution, in addition to being prevented from being employed in government organizations, Baha’is are banned from university studies.

Every year there are many reports of the expulsion and banning of Baha’i citizens from education at Iranian universities. This includes even those who are on the verge of graduation.

UN human rights reporters on Iran have repeatedly objected to the antagonism towards Baha’is throughout the existence of the Iranian Revolutionary regime, and in particular depriving Baha’i students of their right to education, which is a sign and clear indication of Iran’s neglect of human rights accords.

Baha’is in Iran are denied religious freedoms. This systematic deprivation is practiced, even though in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, every citizen has the right to freedom of religion, and the right to be converted from any religion in accordance with their personal convictions, as well as the freedom to express this individually or collectively, and publicly or privately.

According to unofficial sources in Iran, there are more than 300,000 Baha’is there, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only the religions of Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism, and does not recognize the Baha’i Faith; therefore over the past 39 years Baha’i rights have been systematically violated in Iran.