[BWNS 28 Sep. 2011] GENEVA — Like many young people the world over, Shohreh Rowhani grew up with high hopes of a good university education. But now she has run up against a system which…
Monthly Archives For September 2011
Iran tries seven Bahais for ‘proselytising’
[It is surprising that AhramOnline news agency is still using condescending terms such as “Haifa-based sect” to refer to the Baha’i Faith when all news agencies, all NGO’s, Governments and Individuals use the proper reference,…
Desmond Tutu and Jose Ramos-Horta join calls for release of Baha'i educator
[BWNS 26 Sep 2011] NEW YORK — As a number of Baha’i educators appear in court in Iran, two Nobel Peace Prize winners have sharply criticized the Iranian government, comparing its actions to “the Dark Ages…
IRAN MUST FREE DETAINED HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER
[Amnesty International, 12 Sep.2011] The Iranian authorities must immediately release one of Iran’s most prominent human rights lawyers, Abdolfattah Soltani, who was arrested on Saturday, Amnesty International said today. Soltani, a co-founder of the Centre…
‘Courageous’ Iranian attorney Abdolfattah Soltani arrested ahead of trial of Baha’i educators
[bahai.us, 16, Sep 2011] The lawyer preparing to defend Baha’is facing trial in Iran’s Revolutionary Court has been detained again. Mr. Abdolfattah Soltani was a senior member of the legal team representing the prisoners who…
The Trials of an Educator in Iran
Anthony Vance, Director of External Affairs, Baha’is of the United States “If your tea is too sweet, you can stir it the other way.” This kind of quip was typical of Mahmoud Badavam and of Persian…
Baha’i student Expelled from University
[RAHANA 18 Sep. 2011] Ava Tavakoli, a student of Hormozgan University, has been expelled due to her Baha’i faith after 4 semesters.
Baha’i Citizen Afshin Ighani Began Serving Prison Sentence
[RAHANA 14 Sep. 2011] The prison sentence has been upheld for the Freedom Movement of Iran member Mehdi Gholizadeh.
Faculty of Baha’i Distant Education University Arrested
[RAHANA 14 Sep. 2011] Four instructors of the Baha’i Distant Education University have been arrested after being summoned.
Jagland urges Europe to 'practice what it preaches' in the Mediterranean region
[Human Rights Europe, 12 Sep. 2011] Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has challenged Europe to practice what it preaches in its relations with neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean region. In his 9 September speech to the…
Open letter of Natoli Derakhshan to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
[EDU RIGHT, 18 Sep 2011] 18 September 2011 ( 27 Shahrivar 1390 ) Association for Freedom of Education – Natoli Derakhshan, a poet and a Baha’i, in an open letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme…
13th Annual Report on International Religious Freedom from the U.S. Department of State
The 13tAnnual Report on International Religious Freedomfrom the U.S. Department of State names Iran “Country of Particular Concern” for religious repression. The report is extensive and covers some 204 countries. See here for the section…
Canada: Minister Baird Expresses Concern over Situation for Religious Minorities in Iran
(No. 253 – September 2, 2011 – 11:30 a.m. ET) Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement regarding reports that religious minorities in Iran continue to face persecution: “I note with regret…
Brazilians march together to demand justice
(BWNS 19 Sep 2011) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — The ongoing persecution of Iran’s Baha’i community featured prominently as 25,000 people from Brazil’s diverse traditions marched to defend the right to religious freedom and call…
EU Condemns Persecution Of Baha’i Community in Iran
[Radio Free Europe, 6 Sep 2011] EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has condemned the persecution of the Baha’i community in Iran. In a statement issued, Ashton expressed “serious concerns about the recent wave of…
Baha'i Scholars Await Trial in Iran
Eight members of the Bahai’i religious minority are awaiting trial in Iran, after organizing the Baha’i Institute for Education, a place where dismissed professors teach Baha’i youth as volunteers. The Iranian government recognizes the Baha’i community…