Persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran

On March 12, 2010, the U.S. State Department released the following statement expressing increasing concern about “Iran’s ongoing persecution of Baha’is and other religious minority communities.” In recent weeks, authorities detained at least 25 Baha’is. Reports indicate there have been more than 45 new detentions of Baha’is in the last four months alone, and currently [...]

On February 14, 2010, English-language news outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters and Voice of America, reported that at least five more Baha’is have been arrested in Iran. This follows the arrest of 13 Iranian Baha’is on January 3; ten of whom remain in prison. There are currently around 60 Baha’is in prison throughout Iran, [...]

The following is an update from the Baha’i World News Service regarding the trial of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran, which commenced on January 12, 2010. The trial of seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders began today in Iran. Initial reports indicate that the trial is marked by numerous violations of legal due process. “We understand that [...]

The Associated Press reported today that authorities have ordered Iran’s largest-circulation newspaper, Hamshahri, to close after it published an advertisement containing a photograph of a Baha’i temple. The AP wire story provided an overview of the ongoing persecution of Baha’is in Iran, including mention of the seven Baha’i leaders who have yet to face trial [...]

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 [...]

WASHINGTON — Today, August 15, Mr. Hassan Haddad of Tehran’s prosecutor office confirmed that the trial of seven Baha’i leaders falsely accused of “espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009. The Bahá’í International Community categorically denies all the charges, at least one of which [...]

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Western nations claimed a success on Friday when a U.N. General Assembly resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran passed through a key committee more easily than in the past.

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Seven detained Baha’i believers have confessed to setting up an illegal organisation in Iran that took orders from Israel and others to undermine the Islamic system, an Iranian newspaper reported on Sunday.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union called on Iran on Wednesday to release six members of the Baha’i faith imprisoned on security-related charges, urging Tehran to allow full freedom of religion.

TEHRAN, May 20 (Reuters) – Iran has imprisoned six members of the Baha’i faith on security-related charges, government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said on Tuesday.

LONDON (Reuters) – The Iranian authorities have detained six members of the Baha’i faith, an offshoot of Islam considered heretical by Iran’s Shi’ite Muslim establishment, members of the religious group said.