Source: www.hra-news.org
Translation by Iran Press Watch
According to HRANA news agency, the news organ of the Iranian Association of Human Rights Activists, on Saturday, June 1, 2020, Mitra Bandi Amir-Abadi and Hiva Yazdan Mehdi-Abadi, two Baha’is living in Yazd, were arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location.
HRANA News Agency – Mitra Bandi Amir-Abadi and Hiva Yazdan-Mehdi Abadi, Baha’is living in Yazd (a main city in Central Iran) were arrested by security forces on Saturday, June 1, 2020, and taken to an unknown location. During the arrest, the security forces searched the house of Ms. Yazdan-Mehdi Abadi and the house of her father-in-law in city of Taft- near Yazd- and confiscated some of her personal belongings. Earlier on Thursday, May 21, officers searched Mitra Bandi Amir-Abadi’s home and confiscated few of her personal belongings.
A source close to the families of the citizens told HRANA about the manner of their arrest: “During the arrest, Ms. Yazdan Mehdi-Abadi’s home was inspected and then she was taken to the house of her late father-in-law in Taft where they confiscated more of her belongings and took them away. “During the inspection, the officers kept insulting them.”
Earlier on Thursday, May 21, 2020, officers searched the home of Mitra Bandi Amir-Abadi (Baghi) and confiscated several her personal belongings. These Baha’i citizens had already been arrested and convicted (for their beliefs) previously in another incident.
Hiva Yazdan Mehdi-Abadi (Bahifar) was arrested by security forces in November 2017 for “teaching music to children” and was transferred to Yazd Prison. She was released on bail on December 25 of that year.
Regarding Ms. Yazdani’s previous sentence, an informed source, explained to HRANA: ” “Ms. Amir-Abadi and Ms. Yazdan Mehdi-Abadi were previously detained and eventually sentenced by a court to suspended sentences; however, the term expired some time ago.”
Baha’is in Iran are deprived of their liberties related to religious beliefs. This systematic deprivation happens while Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights entitle any person to choose his religion and belief, and, be able to Freely express it individually or collectively and in public or in private.
According to unofficial sources, there are more than 300,000 Baha’is in Iran, but Iranian Constitution only recognizes Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, and does not recognize the Baha’i faith. For this reason, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated over the years.
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