Persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran

Iran’s Prosecutor-General Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi declares that the government will not allow any group to threaten its national security.

Press TV, Iran, has posted the following story: Iran will not allow threats against security

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Iran Press Watch has posted a Radio Farda story reporting on Iran’s Prosecutor General’s statements about the imprisoned Baha’i leaders. Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi made these statements on Friday, February 27, 2009.

You can access the post here

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The U.S. Department of State released on February 25, 2009, its country reports on Human Rights Practices for 2008. The section on Iran has several references to the difficulties experienced by the Baha’i community in Iran.

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The London Times has published a letter by 15 British comedians calling for the imprisoned Baha’i leaders in Iran to receive a fair trial: Stand up for Iran’s Baha’is

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World Focus, a PBS program, ran a story about the Baha’i leaders in Iran facing trial.

You can watch the February 25 episode online.  The segment on the Baha’is starts at 20:37

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Voice of America ran the following editorial on February 22: Iran’s religious persecution

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Iran’s Prosecutor General, Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi, has said that the Bahais in Iran are using the same facilities as other Iranians.

Press TV, Iran, has put out the following story: Iran provides Bahais with all facilities

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The UK’s Channel 4 News interviewed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Shirin Ebadi on February 18, about the harassment she suffers in Iran partly because of her defence of the seven Baha’i leaders currently in jail and facing trial in Tehran.

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The Australian government has stated its concern for the Baha’i leaders in Iran.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said that the lack of due legal process ”makes it hard to believe there is any basis to the charges or that they will receive a fair trial.”

The Canberra Times has posted the following: DFAT ‘concerned’ over fate of Baha’i leaders

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The Grieboski Report aired an interview today between Joseph Grieboski, President of the Institute for Religion and Public Policy and Kit Bigelow, director of external affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S.

You can access the podcast here:

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A spokesman for Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her deep concern for the Iranian Baha’i leaders.

Reuters has put out a wire Germany says worried about trial of Baha’is in Iran

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CNN.com has just posted the following story about the charges laid against the Baha’i leaders in Iran: Religious leaders face spying charges in Iran

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The Washington Post has published the following article by its correspondent in Tehran, Thomas Erdbrink.

 Iran Accuses 7 Jailed Leaders of Bahai Faith of Espionage

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GENEVA, February 18, 2009 — BWNS – The European Union yesterday issued a statement expressing its “deep concern” over Iran’s plans to bring seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders to trial for espionage and other charges soon. The Baha’i International Community has called for their immediate release, maintaining their innocence and characterizing the regime’s claims as an “escalation of its systematic crackdown on the Baha’is.” Continue Reading »

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The official Islamic Republic News Agency site posted the following piece on February 17, 2009 about the seven Iranian Baha’i leaders facing trial : Seven charged with espionage

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CNN.com has just posted the following commentary by the actor Rainn Wilson: Stop religious persecution in Iran

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Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the trial with seven Baha’i leaders in Iran

You can access it here

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NEW YORK, February 15, 2009 — BWNS — The Baha’i International Community has issued a statement of gratitude to the Iranian intellectuals, scholars, writers, journalists, activists, and artists throughout the world who signed an open letter apologizing for their silence during Iran’s long-running persecution of the Baha’is. Continue Reading »

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NEW YORK, February 15, 2009 — 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 rights organizations expressed strong criticism of any such trial. Many called for the immediate release of the Baha’is. Continue Reading »

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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, Maurice Hinchey, Frank Wolf, and Jim Moran.

You can access the text of the resolution here

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