Source: www.hra-news.org
Translation by Iran Press Watch
HRANA News Agency – On November 5th, the Business of Two Baha’is in Abadan, Aram Azadi and Arman Azadi, was shut down and sealed by order of Judiciary Authorities, for the second time this year. This action coincides with important Baha’i religious holidays, on which, based on their religious beliefs, Baha’is close their place of business. Earlier this year, the business of these two Baha’is was sealed for 15 days.
According to HRANA, the news arm of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the business of two Baha’i brothers in Abadan, Aram Azadi and Arman Azadi, was closed and sealed, by Intelligence and Security forces on November 5, 2018.
An informed source told the HRANA Reporter: “The business of these two Baha’i brothers was closed by Intelligence and Security forces on November 5, for the second time this year. This forced closure coincided with important Baha’i holidays, when, based on their religious beliefs, Baha’is shut their places of business. Intelligence and Security forces used this as a pretext to close and seal the place of business of these two Baha’is.”
The business of these two Baha’i brothers was previously closed and sealed by Intelligence and Security forces on July 12. On July 26 2018, after 14 days of continuous follow up with the Judiciary and the Office of Properties, and showing an order from the Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed by the head of the city’s Intelligence office, the seal on their place of business was finally broken.
Earlier, a source close to these individuals had told HRANA: “These citizens have been running this store for the last 38 years. Intelligence and Security officers seized their place of business and revoked their business license using unsubstantiated excuses.”
Based on their religious beliefs, Baha’is close their businesses on their religious holidays. However, Law Enforcement Forces and Intelligence and Security agencies close and seal their businesses in response. This contradicts the explicit legal and civil right of individuals to practice their religious beliefs and manage their own businesses as they see fit.
These actions to close and seal Baha’i businesses are carried out even though Article B, paragraph 28, of the Iranian trade union law states that owners of businesses may close their units without prior notice to the trade union for up to 15 days a year.
Shutting Baha’i businesses in Iran continues, although Shahindokht Molavardi, special assistant to the Iranian President on civil rights issues, in a statement to the media on December 3rd, said: “Regarding the forced closure of Baha’i businesses and the blocking of their activities: inquiries from the President’s Legal Assistant have been made, and an attempt is underway to move this debate forward through legislation until we find a solution to this issue.”
Leave a Reply