The United States House of Representatives has introduced a resolution, H.Res.175, on the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran. The resolution was sponsored by Representatives Mark Kirk, James McGovern, Brad Sherman, Dan Burton, Bill Foster,…
Tagged By human rights
Swift International Reaction to Pending Trial
NEW YORK, 15 February (BWNS) – International reaction to news that Iran may soon put on trial seven Baha’i leaders for espionage and other charges came swiftly last week as governments, parliamentary leaders and human…
Press Release by "We Are Ashamed" organizers
14 February 2009 A Press Release by the organizers of the open letter to the Baha’i community titled “A century and a half of oppression and silence is enough!” Human beings are members of a…
What is There to Celebrate?
By Shahrzad Arshadi Editor’s Note: Iran Press Watch is pleased to publish the following learned essay by one of its readers, Shahrzad Arshadi. This eloquent and informative essay was first disseminated on 11 February 2009…
Amnesty International Urgent Action
Amnesty International has launched an urgent action update exclusively devoted to the latest news about the Baha’i leaders in Iran. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Arabic, English…
U.S. State Department condemns charges
Following is a press release statement by Robert Wood, Acting Department Spokesman: The United States condemns the Iranian government’s decision to level baseless charges of espionage against seven leaders of the Iranian Baha’i community: Mrs.…
Final List of Signatories to "We Are Ashamed"
‘We Are Ashamed’ is an open letter from a group of academics, writers, artists, journalists and Iranian activists throughout the world to the Baha’i community. The original letter was published with 42 signatories, whereas more…
BIC's February 2009 Iran Update
This document from the Baha’i International Community’s United Nations Office presents only the latest developments in the ongoing oppression that targets Bahá’í citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It covers the months from October…
Feature: Trial of Seven Baha'i Leaders
Iran has announced the trial of seven Baha’i individuals, who acted as the Iranian Baha’i Community’s coordinating body since the execution of the last formal administrative body more than 30 years ago. The charges brought…
Lives of service: Profiles of seven imprisoned Baha’is
The following are a series of short biographical profiles of the seven Baha’i leaders currently being held in Evin prison in Iran. Six were arrested in their homes in Tehran on 14 May 2008. A…
The Baha'is categorically deny charges
Reports that seven imprisoned Baha’is have been accused of espionage and other crimes and that their case will be referred to the Revolutionary Court next week are deeply concerning, potentially marking a new and dangerous…
Trial of Seven Baha’i Leaders in Tehran
The deputy prosecutor-general of Tehran has said that the trial of seven individuals accused of participating in the outlawed activities of the Baha’i community would take place next week. He advised that the legal case…
"My esteemed fellow countrymen and women"
Almost 30 years ago, Manousheed Bagha’s mother was executed for the sole purpose of being an adherent of the Baha’i Faith. Upon hearing that the cemetery of Khavaran, where her mother was buried, faces the…
Case still open against Released Christians
Editor’s Note: The Iranian government is currently debating the adoption of a proposed penal code that would mandate the death penalty for apostates. This will have severe consequences not only for Baha’i prisoners, but also…
Institute commends apology of Iranian intellectuals to Baha’is
Washington, DC, Feb. 5, 2009—The Institute on Religion and Public Policy heartily commends the open letter signed by over 40 Iranian intellectuals apologizing to Bahai’s for remaining silent over their country’s ill-treatment of the community.…
Amnesty's Current Concerns in Iran
Editor’s Note: The following important statement was published by the prestigious Amnesty International on 5 February 2009. Since it directly bears on the purpose of this site, it is shared for our readers’ information. Iran: Human…