Persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran

Video: On May 12, 2011, Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois hosted a reception to raise awareness about the seven Baha’i leaders imprisoned in Iran. Actress Eva LaRue is among the notable figures offering their support. Also featured are U.S. Representative from New York, Michael Grimm; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Kathleen Fitzpatrick; Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S. Kenneth E. Bowers; and brother of one of the imprisoned leaders, Iraj Kamalabadi.

The UN General Assembly Third Committee today voted in favor of a resolution that condemned Iran for its “serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations.” The resolution – which is expected to be confirmed by the full Assembly in December – also requests that the UN Secretary General issue a report on human rights in Iran again next year.

Representatives of Coptic, Kurdish, Baha’i and Jewish communities discussed the plight of religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East, during a panel hosted by the New York City Bar Association on Nov. 8 at their Manhattan headquarters.

Listen to the recorded session: http://www.cfr.org/iran/iranian-crackdown-regime-against-baha/p26439

The children of Riaz Sobhani (top, third from the left) and Kamran Mortezaie (bottom, middle) spoke with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran about their fears for their fathers’ health and safety after the two men were sentenced by the Iranian Revolutionary Court in October 2011 to harsh prison terms for their involvement [...]