Persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran

“We are deeply concerned at the detention of Mr. Soltani,” said Diane Ala’i, the Baha’i International Community’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva. “What precisely are the motives of the Iranian authorities for this arrest, just before his clients are expected to face trial?”

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 – [...]

The trial of seven Iranian Baha’i leaders, which began January 12,  has drawn widespread attention from the international community. According to a Baha’i World News Service article published today, public statements of concern on behalf of the seven have been issued by the governments of Brazil, Canada, India, the United States, and by the European [...]

GENEVA — The trial of seven Baha’i leaders imprisoned in Iran has been postponed until October 18, 2009, the Baha’i International Community learned today. According to Diane Ala’i, the Baha’i International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva, following a request for postponement of the trial from Mr. Hadi Elsmaielzadeh and Ms. Mahnaz Parakand [...]

The Baha’i World News Service has put out a statement about the arrest of six Baha’is in Iran: GENEVA, 15 January (BWNS) – At least six Baha’is were arrested in Iran yesterday, including a woman who worked at human rights organizations connected with Nobel prize winner Shirin Ebadi.

Agence France Presse (AFP) broke (yesterday) the news that Iranian authorities have closed down the offices of the 2003 Nobel Laureate human rights attorney Shirin Ebadi. Shirin Ebadi and her colleagues at the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran are defending the seven jailed national Baha’i leaders but have been denied access to the [...]