(BNUK) The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has described the prejudice and discrimination faced by Bahá’ís around the world as “tragic”. Mr Brown made his remarks in a special message sent to the UK Bahá’í community…
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Update on Baha'i Prisoners in Shiraz
Iran Press Watch has learned through reliable contacts in Iran that Raha Sabet and Haleh Ruhi have been granted a temporary leave from prison for 5 days, and there is a possibility that this family-visit…
A Short Note on Yahya Hedayati
On April 21, 2009, Iran Press Watch reported on recent attacks on the home of Mr. Yahya Hedayati (see, http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/04/semnan-residence/). One of the kind readers has provided some background information on this Baha’i resident of…
Attacks on Baha’i Residence in Semnan
As reported many times by Iran Press Watch, the Baha’is of Semnan live under harsh and oppressive conditions instigated by the clerical establishment of that town. The latest incident against the Baha’is is reported by…
Baha’is Continue to be Harassed in Mashhad
Further to Iran Press Watch report of April 16, 2009, http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/04/qibm/, on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, Human Rights Activists of Iran posted the following report, which appears below in translation: In continuation of widespread harassment…
Iranian regime cracks down on internet groups
(EFD – Iran Monitor) In an open letter to the “revolutionary Iranian people”, the Pasdaran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, announced their fight against the “activities of organised destructive networks in cyberspace”. The Pasdaran also claimed…
Urgent Appeal by the Baha'is of Shiraz
Editor’s Note: Iran Press Watch has received the following urgent request from the Baha’is of Shiraz. It is requested that this note be posted on as many other sites as possible. By the Baha’is of…
Rights groups challenge Iran leader at racism meeting
On Sunday, April 19, 2009, AFP reported the following development: Human rights groups on Sunday challenged President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to eliminate severe discrimination in Iran, ahead of his arrival at a UN conference against racism…
Two Songs from the Baha’i Youth of Iran
Iran Press Watch is pleased to publish the following two songs just released by Baha’i youth in Iran. It is deeply gratifying to see that despite all pressures and limitations imposed on the beleaguered Baha’i…
Minoo Shahriyari: The Story of my Expulsion from University
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…
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…
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