Persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran

Amidst a series of public statements by human rights groups supporting the seven imprisoned members of the former Iranian Baha’i leadership group, Amnesty International USA has rallied its members to send greetings cards to the prisoners for the forthcoming Persian new year.

 

According to the Baha’i World News Service, the global support continues as Mahvash Sabet – schoolteacher, mother of two and the first member of the group to be arrested – enters her fourth year of unlawful detention. She was arrested on March 5, 2008 and held in solitary confinement for the first 175 days of her imprisonment.

Mrs. Mahvash Sabet

Individuals and groups leading the effort to exert international pressure on the Iranian government to free Sabet and her six colleagues include International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Iranian League for Human Rights (LDDHI), the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), [Read their joint statement], Minority Rights Group International (Read MRGI’s report), Human Rights Watch (Read HRW’s World Report 2011: Iran), Amnesty International and US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

Baha’i International Community: International pressure “remains the main source of protection and comfort for these innocent prisoners”

Referring to Amnesty International’s Persian new year greeting cards campaign, the Baha’is World News Service writes:

The action call notes that “Nowruz,” which means “new day,” is an ancient Persian holiday celebrating the first day of spring and the coming of the new year.

“On this Nowruz we want to remember several courageous prisoners of conscience in Iran with Nowruz greetings,” said the organization.

Referring to the seven Baha’i leaders, Amnesty International wrote, “Although they have done nothing more than peacefully practice their religion, they were convicted on serious, but baseless, charges including ‘espionage for Israel,’ ‘insulting religious sanctities’ and ‘propaganda against the system.’”

The group also suggests sending cards to seven other Iranian prisoners of conscience, depicting scenes “in keeping with the spirit of the holiday and the message of hope and renewal.”

“The support of Amnesty International USA is greatly appreciated,” said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations.

“The awareness generated by Amnesty and other groups – along with expressions of concern by governments and international organizations – remains the main source of protection and comfort for these innocent prisoners and others who are deprived of their rights in Iran,” she said.

Tags: Amnesty International, Baha'i International Community, Bani Dugal, Defenders of Human Rights Center, Human Rights Watch World Report, International Federation for Human Rights, Iran, Iranian Baha'is, Iranian League for Human Rights, Mahvash Sabet, Minority Rights Group International, Persian new year, religious freedom, Secretary of State Clinton