Editor’s Note: The story of Minoo’s expulsion from Semnan University was previously reported by Iran Press Watch. We’re now pleased to share in translation the following account by her. It should be recalled that Minoo…
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Imprisoned Baha'is Barred from Release despite Prosecutor's Ruling
The following report was received on Thursday, April 16, 2009 and is offered below in translation (sources cited at the end): Four Baha’is, namely, Mrs. Haleh Houshmandi, Mr. Kayvan Karami, Mr. Farhad Ma’sumi, and Mr.…
On Minorities and Education, Iran omits Baha'is
Editor’s Note: The following is an invited editorial on the Iran’s controversial statement on “Minorities and the Right to Education”. We refer our readers to IPN’s annual report on violations of the right of Baha’is…
A Letter to My Brother Sasan
A Letter to My Brother Sasan
By Roya Taqva
Editor’s Note: In May 2006, a group of over 80 individuals was arrested in and around the city of Shiraz, Iran. They were involved in a teaching program benefitting underprivileged children. The group had been granted permission for their activities by the Islamic authorities of the city. Muslim members of the group were immediately released. However, 54 Baha’is were detained for a few days, and afterwards released on bail. In August 2007, they were tried by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court. They were charged with “offences against state security”. Three of them were sentenced to four years imprisonment for “organizing illegal groups” and “propaganda on behalf of groups that are opposed to the Islamic system”. The other Baha’is in the group received a one year suspended sentence provided that they participated in a three year Islamic indoctrination course.
Below is a summary of a letter written by Roya, the sister of Sasan Taqva, one of the three individuals now serving a four year sentence. Haleh Houshmandi, whose name is mentioned in the letter, is among those with a suspended sentence. On March 15, 2009, while Haleh and her husband were on a trip, their home was raided by officers of the Ministry of Intelligence. She was summoned to appear at a detention facility run by the Ministry of Intelligence upon her return to Shiraz. She has been detained since March 18, (see http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/03/arrested-shiraz/). When Babak, her husband, inquired about the charges against Haleh, he was told: “Your wife is a Baha’i and for now that is sufficient reason for her arrest”.
Messages of the Universal House of Justice
Iran Press Watch is pleased to commence publishing authorized translations of letters of the Universal House of Justice to the Iranian Baha’i community. These letters contain various directions enunciated by the world governing body of…
Don't Let Any Nations Derail UN Racism Conference
Editor’s Note: Human Rights Watch published the following article yesterday, reporting on UN’s upcoming conference on racism. They call on President Ahmadinejad to ‘use his presence at the conference to announce an end to repression…
Questioning and Interrogation of Baha'is in Mashhad
On Thursday, April 16, 2009, Iran Press News reported the following in Persian (http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/057579.htm) and a translation is provided by Iran Press Watch: Despite dissolution of the unofficial Baha’i organization in Iran, the Ministry of…
A Note from the Editorial Board on “Comments”
Iran Press Watch deeply appreciates the thousands of visitors from across the globe who visit this site every day. These visitors include many governmental officials, diplomats, human rights organizations, journalists, media representatives, members of Baha’i…
Update on Arrested Baha’is in Hamadan
Further to Iran Press Watch’s recent reports on additional pressures brought upon the Baha’is of Hamadan, it has been learned that Sahba Khademi-Delju was incarcerated incommunicado for one week and released on bail and surety…
A Baha’i Arrested in Babol
Iran Press Watch has learned that a Baha’i resident of the town of Babol in the province of Mazandaran was arrested on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. Agents of the Ministry of Intelligence went to the…
UK university’s support for Iran’s Baha’i students
Editor’s Note: While Iranian Baha’is are denied access to higher education, their fellow Baha’i students outside Iran aim to raise awareness and organize support through local university campaigns. This report was published recently about the…
Summary Report | January – March 2009
Iran Press Watch is pleased to announce its second quarterly Summary Report for 2009. These reports cover arrests, incarcerations, and raids on homes; destruction of Bahá’í properties; denial of education; and deprivation of livelihood. Translations…
Release of Several Baha’i Youth
Iran Press Watch was pleased to learn that several Baha’i youth were released from custody by the authorities in Hamadan. First, we first excerpt from a letter (slightly edited) from one of the Baha’is discussing…
Alarming Developments – April 11 Roundup
Today’s series of news reports paint a troubling pattern of increased harassment in recent days for the Baha’i of communities of Hamadan, Semnan, Shiraz, Tehran and Yazd. A short overview: Mr. Afshin Ahsanian is arrested…
Baha’is under Attack in Yazd and Semnan
On Thursday, April 9, 2009, Khabar Navard reported that during the nationwide Naw-Ruz festivities, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence raided the home of Mr. Bahnam Rouhani, one of the Baha’is of Yazd, on March…
Serious Health Condition of an Imprisoned Baha’i
As previously reported by Iran Press Watch (http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/03/arrested-shiraz/), a young Baha’i of Shiraz was arrested on March 18, 2009, under inexplicable circumstances. The following report was filed by Human Rights Activists of Iran in Persian…
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