The Human Rights Council this morning concluded its general debate on human rights situations that require its attention and its general debate on human rights bodies and mechanisms, under which it heard the President of…
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Several Updates on the Baha’is of Iran
The following news items appeared on June 4, 2009, on the Persian site of the Baha’i International Community and are provided below in translation by Iran Press Watch. The source of each story is cited…
Visit – Shiraz Plock 100
Editor’s Note: Iran Press Watch was pleased to receive the following moving essay, which describes the feelings of many Iranian Baha’is. It is presented below in translation; the original in Persian is attached. By a…
Baha’is of Semnan Prevented to Bury their Dead
The Persian site of the Baha’i International Community reported on June 4, 2009, the following which appears in translation: Mrs. Maryam Shiraliyan (Subhani), a Baha’i of Semnan, passed away on May 20, 2009. However, governmental…
Open Letter from Urumiyeh University to a Presidential Candidate
Editor’s Note: Below is a letter from a group of Urumiyeh University students to the Iranian Presidential candidate, Mr. Mir-Hossein Mousavi. This letter is being published solely because of its relevance to the Baha’i community…
Semnan: A microcosm of Iran
Without mincing words, the story of Semnan is a chilling tale of organized, religiously motivated action against Baha’is. There is a subset of the population which is different only in belief; well-wishers of the nation,…
Why Focus on Women's Rights?
The issue of women’s rights is a major issue in this election and this marks the first time that reform of women’s rights has been addressed so specifically and in such detail in an election.…
Report on Violations of the Human Rights of Baha’is – March 21 to May 21, 2009
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone…
Was Hoveida Ever a Baha’i?
The short answer is no. The late Amir-Abbas Hoveida, who served as the Prime Minister of Iran from 1965 to 1977, has often been called a Baha’i. Antagonists of the Baha’i Faith make this allegation…
A Gift from Evin
Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, six other former Baha’i leaders known as the Yaran, and some other Baha’is continue to languish in the notorious Evin prison of Tehran. While their bodies suffer incarceration and psychological torture, yet…
Education Rights Committee attends election campaign in Sari
The Committee on the Right to Education of the Human Rights Activists in Iran Association attended Mr. Karoubi’s campaign stop in the city of Sari to make use of the election environment as a venue…
Persecution of Baha’is and the Iranian Presidential Elections
In the run-up to to the so-called presidential elections in Iran, the persecution of Baha’is has become a political issue. Jamila Kadivar speaks of the rights that members of the religious community of Baha’i have…
Iran’s Islamic Theocracy and the Problem of Khashiyat (Fear of God): A Baha'i Perspective
Editor’s Note: Aram Anahid is the penname of a learned Baha’i intellectual in Iran, who has previously contributed to Iran Press Watch and other sites (e.g. Iranian.com). Iran Press Watch is pleased to publish this…
A Prayer by Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi
Iran Press Watch is pleased to share the following beautifully chanted prayer in Persian by Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, one of the seven Baha’i prisoners in Tehran who were responsible for the administration of the Baha’i…
Necessity of Change
These days, wherever you go, you hear about change. There was even a sign at the little café selling soup, which read, “Store is now operating under new management”. Everyone you see wants to bring…