Justice must ultimately conquer oppression in Egypt, Iran of Baha'is

An excellent article analysing the situation of the Bahá'ís in Egypt and Iran.
(Excerpt:)

With a firm belief in Divine Justice, I not only grieve for the plight of the Baha'is in Iran but also that of the Iranian people. The Germans paid a heavy price for the attrocities that the Nazis committed, and Iranians will not be exempt from the consequences of their inaction in the face of this now not-so-secret pogrom against the Baha'is.

Media + Islam + Ignorance = Baha'i homes in flames

by alborz
24-Apr-2009

This crisis began with a television program, named al-Haqiqah [The Truth], which aired on Egypt's Dream-2 channel on March 28th. A mob went to the homes of the Baha'is in the village of Showraniyah, and began by shouting insults at the Baha'is, who were in their homes at the time, and chanted "No God but Allah" and "Baha'is are enemies of Allah," and began throwing bricks and rocks at five homes.

Some of these Baha'is were able to contact the police and reported the attack. The police then intervened and provided protective custody for the Baha'is. On March 31st, another inflammatory article (see link below) appeared which stirred the emotions of the masses by calling for the killing of Baha'is, and also praised the villagers for their attacks on the Baha'is.

That same day, when night fell, a mob attacked the homes of the Baha'is in Showraniyah (see video), threw homemade Molotov cocktail bottles and fire bombs at the homes.

They vandalized the homes and looted their property. Baha'i families and their children were desperate for a place to hide and some were able to escape the fire and hide in alley corners in the dark.

In order to spread the fire, the mob cut-off the water supply to the homes and blocked access to the village so that fire trucks would be delayed in their response. At last, the police intervened again and this time arrested six villagers from the mob, and took the Baha'i families into protective custody again.

The Baha'i families with their children and babies were sumggled out of the village in the early dawn, Wednesday morning-only with their clothes on their backs to several undisclosed distant locations in Egypt.

Six Egyptian Human Rights Organizations in support of the Baha'is have met with Egypt's Attorney General and filed formal complaints against the author of the article and the mob in the village of Showraniyah.

The media in Egypt and international news agencies have provided extensived coverage of this most recent act of violence against the Bahai's of Egypt.

While we as the bloggers and commentators on this site engage in informative discussions, destructive accusations, and theological pronouncements, we need to occassionally be reminded that we do so from the safety of a keyboard and monitor.

The plans are now set into motion for a more wide-scale assault on the Baha'is in Iran and we can be assured the coverage will be shrowded in layers of conspiracy and espionage theories intended to mask the true nature of these attacks.

It is only then that the people of Iran will seal their fate by either arising to denounce these barbaric acts or remain silent. With a firm belief in Divine Justice, I not only grieve for the plight of the Baha'is in Iran but also that of the Iranian people. The Germans paid a heavy price for the attrocities that the Nazis committed, and Iranians will not be exempt from the consequences of their inaction in the face of this now not-so-secret pogrom against the Baha'is.

Ignorance will not serve as a defence for any exemption from the toll that will be exacted on the Iranian nation, and one that we all desparately wish to avoid.

With deepest regrets,

Alborz

Local and national authorities cooperate in hunting down Bahá'ís - update on prisoners, further pressures

Seven stories, including the month's summary of events. From iranpresswatch.org.

Increased Pressures on the Baha'is of Tonekabon

Posted: 23 Apr 2009

In the days leading up to Naw-Ruz, March 21, agents of Ministry of Intelligence raided and searched the home of Mr. Mishel Ismaelpour, one of the Baha'is of Tonekabon (see attached map). A few days later, he was summoned to the Information Office of the same Ministry and interrogated, but was allowed to leave.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2009, a certain Mr. Ghulami of the above-mentioned Information Office summoned this Baha'i again, and from 8:30 in the morning until 12:30 in the afternoon he was questioned. Afterwards, he was sent to court under guard, where the prosecutor issued a temporary arrest order. He was then brought back again to the same Information Office.

When Mr. Ismaelpour's family inquired of his whereabouts and condition, the Information Office refused to give a satisfactory response. That same afternoon, around 5 PM, he was sent to the prison facility of the Central Information Office in Sari.

According to the prosecutor in this case and contradictory statements by officials at the Information and Intelligence Office, Mr. Ismaelpour had not fully cooperated with officials in providing information about his beliefs. It was for this reason, and to complete his file, that he was sent to Sari.

Current Baha'i Prisoners in Iran

Posted: 24 Apr 2009

Periodically, Iran Press Watch publishes a list of Baha'i prisoners in Iran who remain incarcerated because of their religious belief. At the present time, there are 49 Baha'i prisoners throughout Iran. The Date of incarceration and the url of report for each prisoner is provided next to each name

Babol

• Mushafeq Samandari (Apr 14, 2009) here

Mashhad

• Jalayer Vahdad (Jan 26, 2009) here
• Sima Eshraghi (Jan 26, 2009) here

Qa'emshahr

• Masoud Atayian (Nov 17, 2008) here
• Taraneh Sanai, (Jan 18, 2009) here
• Shahnaz Sa'adati, (Jan 18, 2009) here
• Amelia Fanaian, (Jan 18, 2009) here
• Anisa Fanaian (Jan 18, 2009) here
• Farzaneh Ahmadzadegan (Jan 18, 2009) here

Sari

• Simin Garaji, (2008), here
• 'Ali Ahmadi, (2008) here
• Changiz Derakhshnian, (2008) here
• Masoud Ataian, (2008) here
• Siyamak Ibrahimi-Nia, (2008) here
• Fayzu'llah Rushan (Apr 2008) here
• Fuad Naeimi (Apr 2008) here
• Zia Allah-Vardi (Oct 18, 2008) here
• Sonya Allah-Vardi (Oct 18, 2008) here
• Anvar Moslemi (Nov 22, 2008) here
• Soheila Motllebi (Nov 22, 2008) here
• Firouzeh Yegan (Jan 10, 2009) here
• Pegah Sanai, (Jan 10, 2009) here
• Torreh Taqi-Zadeh (Feb 15, 2009) here

Semnan

• Mr. Adel Fanaian (Jan 4, 2009) here
• Mr. Taher Eskandarian (Jan 4, 2009) here
• Mr. Abbas Nurani (Jan 4, 2009) here
• Mrs. Sahba Rezvani (Dec 15, 2009) here
• Pooya Tebyanian (Mar 9, 2009) here
• Ali Ehsani (Apr 6, 2009) here

Shiraz

• Sasan Taqva (Nov 2007) here
• Raha Sabet (Nov 2007) here
• Haleh Rouhi (Nov 2007) here
• Mehran Karami (Feb 2009) here
• Haleh Houshmani (Mar 18, 2009) here
• Farham Masumi (Mar 18, 2009) here
• Afshin Ahsanian (Apr 8, 2009) here

Tehran

• Vahid Tizfahm, (May 2008) here
• Mahvash Sabet, (Mar 2008) here
• Jamaleddin Khanjani, (May 2008) here
• Saeid Rezai, (May 2008) here
• Fariba Kamalabadi, (May 2008) here
• Afif Naimi, (May 2008) here
• Behrouz Tavakkoli, (May 2008) here

Tonekabon

• Badi'u'llah Fazli
• Mishel Ismaelpour (Apr 21, 2009) here

Yasuj

• Ali-Askar Ravanbakhsh, (Oct 28, 2008) here
• Zulaykha Musavi, (Oct 28, 2008) here
• Ruhiyyih Yazdani, (Oct 28, 2008) here

Yazd

Mehran Bandi, (Aug 28, 2008) here

Coordinated Efforts to Suppress the Baha'is in Northern Iran

Posted: 24 Apr 2009

The following report was posted in Persian by Iran Press News on Friday, April 24, 2009, and appears below in translation. The original media outlet for this news was Shumal News, which reports on events in the northern Iran.

A gathering of seminarians and religious leaders took place yesterday in Chalus in the Office of Islamic Propaganda, which operates under the auspices of Qom's seminaries.

Hujjatu'l-Islam Hakim spoke at this gathering and said, "Faulty management principles in certain organizations must be repaired."

The chief of the Ministry of Intelligence in Mazandaran province spoke about the danger of the spread of Baha'ism and Christianity. He said, "Officials and eminent figures in each town must become completely unified in extinguishing such threats [posed by the Baha'is and Christians], and hand in hand must educate the people about the danger in these groups and in this regard must become fully united."

Hujjatu'l-Islam Hakim added, "Almost all the Baha'i leaders in the town of Chalus have been arrested, imprisoned or exiled. However, there is no clear [legislated] law for confronting the Baha'is."

The chief of the Ministry of Intelligence in Mazandaran province referred to the role of the seminarians and stated, "Seminary students must guide the people through propaganda and cultural activities, and prevent them from being attracted to Ahl-e Haqq, Baha'ism and Christianity."

[Source: http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/057915.htm. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]

Recent Atrocities against the Baha'is of Shiraz

Posted: 24 Apr 2009

Editor's Note: The Baha'is of Shiraz have kindly shared a report with Iran Press Watch about recent attacks perpetrated against them, which appears below in translation. Most of these events have previously been reported on the pages of Iran Press Watch, but publication of the following summary was deemed beneficial. Media outlets are encouraged to republish this report.

February 20

• Agents of the Ministry of Intelligence went to the home of Mr. Kayvan Karami; after a search of the residence and confiscation of some personal property, they arrested Mr. Karami. After his family contacted the authorities, they were told, "The reason for his arrest is his contact with someone who recently became a Baha'i; in this regard, Mr. Karami is expected to answer certain questions."

• The person accused of converting to the Baha'i Faith had also been arrested some time earlier, but was released on March 18. Mr. Karami continues to remain incarcerated, even though his family was told that he would be released on bail prior to year-end [March 21].

March 14

• Authorities went to the home of Mr. Farham Masumi and searched his residence.
• On the same day, the authorities went to the home of Haleh Houshmandi, but behaved very differently. They knew that she was away from Shiraz, and so approached the home of a neighbor who lived on the floor below the Houshmandis. The authorities presented themselves as postmen, but when an elderly woman opened the door, they pushed inside. While shouting abuse and insults, they entered the residence en masse. They disconnected the phone line, and by threatening the household they managed to get the key for the Houshmandi's residence, which had been entrusted to that family. The authorities completely disregarded the repeated request of the family to show legal authorization to enter the Houshmandis' home - confining themselves to spouting abuse and insults. The agents gathered the entire household in one place and locked them in that room. They searched the residence, and without anyone being allowed to raise an objection, confiscated a large quantity of personal effects. They forced the family to sign an inventory of what they had taken, but the inventory list only showed a small fraction of items taken from the residence.
• Farham Masumi was arrested the same morning, but was released by the afternoon.

March 16

• The agents had left a message for Mrs. Houshmandi to present herself to Pelak 100 (Ministry of Intelligence) upon her return. She went to that office on March 16, but was dismissed.

March 17

• Both Haleh Houshmandi and Kayvan Karami were asked to present themselves at the Ministry of Intelligence at 8 AM on the following day, March 18.

March 18

• The above-named Baha'is continue to be imprisoned to this date. They are kept in isolation and under extremely harsh conditions. No information has been given to their families about the duration of their arrest. When Haleh Houshmandi's mother inquired about the charges against her daughter, the authorities stated the charges consisted of: (1) propagation of the Baha'i religion, and (2) activities pertaining to her previous arrest. It should be noted that these two Baha'is are among the 54 Baha'i youth arrested two years ago because of their humanitarian activities promoting hygiene and literacy among deprived young population of Shiraz. As result of that arrest, they received one-year suspended sentences and forced participation in Islamic training classes.
• Authorities had indicated that Mr. Karami would be released prior to Naw-Ruz (March 21), but he continues to this date to be imprisoned in solitary confinement.

April 4

• The Prosecutor General of Fars province wrote a letter to the investigator in charge of the above-mentioned cases and instructed that they should be released on bail. Nevertheless, from that date the families have been confronted by inhumane and cruel attacks by the same investigator, who absolutely refuses to comply with the instruction of the Prosecutor General.
• Since April 4, the families of the imprisoned Baha'is continue to receive threatening phone calls by the Ministry of Intelligence, and in many instances these calls include obscene and insulting language.
• The authorities refuse to allow the prisoners to have visitors.
• During the 3 phone calls that the Baha'i prisoners have been allowed, it has been clear that they are under great physical and emotional stress. The worrisome point is the condition of Haleh Houshmandi, who suffers from a serious heart ailment, but no medical personnel have been allowed to visit her.

Update on Baha'i Prisoners in Shiraz

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 02:51 PM PDT

Iran Press Watch has learned through reliable contacts in Iran that Raha Sabet and Haleh Ruhi have been granted a temporary leave from prison for 5 days, and there is a possibility that this family-visit might be renewed for another 5 days. (For background on their situation see, http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2008/09/latest-status-of-3-imprisoned-youth/, and search for names in the site's archives.)

During these few days that Raha Sabet and Haleh Ruhi are on family-visit leave (customary for long-term prisoners in Iran), they have transferred Haleh Houshmandi-Salehi to their room, which is a little better than her own extremely small cell.

Yesterday, April 21, 2009, the family of Haleh Houshmandi was able to meet with her in prison for 4 minutes from behind the glass and by phone. She looked pale and was breathing with difficulty due to the continuation of her heart aliment.

The authorities have not granted a leave to Sasan Taqva. Sources in Iran report that Sasan suffers from pain in his leg and has a severe toothache. It is not clear if he has received the necessary medical attention.

Iran Press Watch has also learned that potentially there will be some positive developments to report by tomorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of these innocent Baha'i prisoners and we call on all the people of good will to whisper a pray that the anticipated positive news would be realized by tomorrow.

A Short Note on Yahya Hedayati

Posted: 22 Apr 2009

On April 21, 2009, Iran Press Watch reported on recent attacks on the home of Mr. Yahya Hedayati (see, http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/04/semnan-residence/). One of the kind readers has provided some background information on this Baha'i resident of Semnan, which appears below in translation.

Yahya is originally from Sangsar and a son of Ismael Hedayati. Ismael had another younger son, who was killed in an accident. Yahya was an active and energetic Baha'i and a member of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Sangsar when the authorities decided to arrest him for his Baha'i activities. Since they were unable to find Yahya, they seized his father, Ismael, and incarcerated him in Semnan. By exerting such inhumane pressure on the family, they were able to locate Yahya within a short period of time and arrest him in Tehran.

In the early part of this decade, Yayha was imprisoned for four and a half years, first in Semnan and then in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran. One of his cellmates in Evin was Adel Fanaian who is currently imprisoned in Semnan.

It should be mentioned that when Yahya Hedayati was arrested, he was engaged to Johar, but because of his sentence was unable to marry her until his release.

A Disturbing Month

Posted: 25 Apr 2009

Iran's New Year commenced on March 21, and it is off to a disturbing start for the Baha'is of that land. During this month, considerable hardships, harassment and violations of human and civil rights were brought against the beleaguered Baha'is of Iran.

The following is a summary report of the events occurring in the month just concluded, based on a report published in Persian and translated by Iran Press Watch:

March 23

• On condition of surety and bail, Adel Fanaian, Taher Eskandarian and Abbas Nurani were permitted a 4-day leave from Semnan's prison, where they are completing their 6-month sentence.
• Because of this leave, the judge has now ordered that until further notice, these three Baha'is have been deprived of the privilege of meeting with their family face-to-face, and may only visit with them from behind the prison windows.
• Mrs. Sahba Rezvani, who is another Baha'i prisoner in Semnan, remains barred from customary leave.

March 30

• In Yazd, three agents of the Ministry of Intelligence raided the home of Behnam Rouhanifar' after a thorough search of the residence, they confiscated his personal computer and a number of CDs.
• Mr. Rouhanifar is completing a 4-year suspended sentence.

March 31

• While parked, Payman Shadman's automobile in Semnan was severely damaged by paint, and the word "Baha'i" was painted on its side.

April 24

• The place of work of Payman Shadman was vandalized by painting insults and threats against the Baha'is on its walls. These graffiti were reported to the police, who so far have taken no action whatsoever.

April 4

• After 70 days of solitary confinement during which he was held incommunicado, Jalayer Vahdat was given a 5-minute meeting with his mother at the prison of the Ministry of Intelligence.
• While coming out of her car near her sister's residence, Miss Sahba Khademi was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in Hamadan. She was released on bail 10 days later, on April 14.

April 5

Three Baha'i residents of Mashhad, namely Nasrin Qadiri, Nahid Qadiri and Sima Rajabian, were summoned and interrogated by the Revolutionary Branch of the Ministry of Intelligence. They were released afterwards.

April 6

Ali Ehsani, a Baha'i resident of Semnan, was summoned for interrogation by the Ministry of Intelligence and then arrested.

April 7

Three Baha'i residents of Mashhad by the names of Kaviz Nuzdahi, Human Bakhtavar and Davar Nabilzadeh were called in by the Information Office of the town's Revolutionary Court; after interrogation they were allowed to leave.

April 8

Afshin Ahsanian, a resident of Shiraz, along with his father, was summoned to the Information Office of Shiraz, where the father was allowed to leave, but Afshin Ahsanian was arrested and remains incarcerated to this date.

April 9

In the middle of night, windows at the home of Yahya Hedayati, a Baha'i resident of Semnan, were broken while the family was sleeping within. It appears this attack was made by unknown assailants on motorbikes. The same attack took place on two more occasions up to April 16. Police and security agencies have taken no action to respond to these attacks or search for the perpetrators.

April 11

• The homes of Sorour Sorourian, Samira Ayubi and Payman Aqdasi in Hamadan were searched by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence, and the above-mentioned Baha'is were arrested. Three days later, these Baha'is were released on condition of bail.
• Three Baha'i residents of Mashhad, namely Ruzita Vaseqi, Nura Nabilzadeh, and Mahsa Aqdasizadeh were called in by the Revolutionary Court, which were questioned and released them.

April 13

Some Baha'i websites were infiltrated by Iranian authorities.

April 14

• Agents of the Information Office of Babol raided the home of Mushafeq Samandari; after a search of the residence, they confiscated his computer, printer, scanner, CDs and some of his books. Mr. Samandari was arrested as well.
• Haleh Houshmandi, a Baha'i resident of Shiraz, who has been incarcerated since March 18, experienced an acute heart condition as a result of being deprived of her medications. Prison officials continue to prevent her from obtaining the necessary medications. Because of her health situation, the Prosecutor General of Shiraz issued an order for her release on condition of bail, but the Ministry of Intelligence has overruled this order and keeps Mrs. Houshmandi imprisoned.
• Three more Baha'is of Mashhad, namely Babak Ruhi, Suhayl Nasirzadeh and Ezzatu'llah Ahmadian, were summoned to the Information Office of the Revolutionary Court; after interrogation they were released.

List of Baha'is Currently in Prison

In addition to the above-mentioned imprisoned Baha'is, the following Baha'is have been incarcerated solely because of their religious faith since last year:

Mehran Bandi in Yazd

Puya Tebyanian, Semnan

Sasan Taqva, Shiraz

Vahid Tizfahm, Tehran (one of the Yaran)

Raha Sabet, Shiraz

Mahvash Sabet, Tehran (one of the Yaran)

Jamal Khanjani, Tehran (one of the Yaran)

Said Rezai, Tehran (one of the Yaran)

Fariba Kamalabadi, Tehran (one of the Yaran)

Ali-Askar Ravanbakhsh, Yasuj

Haleh Ruhi, Shiraz

Fayzu'llah Rushan, Sari

Zulaykha Musavi, Yasuj

Fuad Naeimi, Sari

Afif Naeimi, Tehran (one of the Yaran)

Ruhiyyih Yazdani, Yasuj

Behrouz Tavakkoli, Tehran (one of the Yaran)

Sima Eshraqi, Mashhad

Badi'u'llah Fazli, Tonekabon

Mehran Karami, Shiraz

[Source: http://www.negah64.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1046&Itemid=21. Translation by Iran press Watch

UK Prime Minister, Spain's Parliament issue statements in defense of Bahá'is in Iran

From Bahá'í News UK and iranpresswatch.org respectively. Further news on the UK PM's statement is available here.

Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell reads the message from Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the Ridvan reception hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha'is on 22 April.

Bahar Tahzib, whose father was killed in Iran in the 1980s and whose uncle is currently imprisoned, speaks at the Ridvan reception.

Enlarge images

PM describes prejudice and discrimination against Bahá'ís as "tragic"

Posted: 22 Apr 2009

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has described the prejudice and discrimination faced by Bahá'ís around the world as "tragic".

Mr Brown made his remarks in a special message sent to the UK Bahá'í community on the holiest day of the Bahá'í year. In a letter addressed to the annual reception hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Friends of the Bahá'ís, Mr Brown expressed his "respect and admiration" for the British Bahá'í community which, he said, "makes a contribution to British life out of all proportion to its size."

"The principles of the Bahá'í Faith are rightly shared and appreciated by many in our different communities. It is therefore all the more tragic that Bahá'ís around the world face prejudice and discrimination," wrote Mr Brown.

"At the forefront of all of our minds this Ridvan is the fate of the seven Bahá'í leaders awaiting trial in Iran," the letter continued. "We have raised our concerns with the Iranian Government and I urge the authorities to ensure that these individuals receive a fair trial and ask them to put an end to discrimination against the wider Bahá'í community within Iran."

Mr Brown's message concluded, "I very much welcome your increased participation in public life and hope you will build on this in the future. I am sure this year's Festival of Ridván will give joy and inspiration to everyone attending and I would like to send my very best wishes to everyone in the British Bahá'í community for a happy Ridván."

Mr Brown's message was read by Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who joined some 80 other guests including leading figures from non-governmental organisations and the UK's religious communities. The uncertain situation faced by seven Bahá'í leaders who have been held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, without charges or access to legal counsel, since May last year was mentioned by all the speakers including Dr Kishan Manocha, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the UK, and Lembit Opik MP, Chair of the All-Party group. Mrs Bahar Tahzib, whose father was executed in Iran in the early 1980s for his Bahá'í beliefs and who is also a niece of one of those currently being held, addressed the gathering and spoke movingly about the strength her family members have demonstrated in the face of persecution.

The Prime Minister's sentiments were also echoed by the leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, who also sent messages to the reception.

David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party wrote, "Ridván is an important time for reflection and celebration of the Bahá'í Faith. It is also a time to focus on the importance of community, including the wider Bahá'í community worldwide - some of whom may face persecution of their beliefs."

"The Bahá'í emphasis on equality, unity, social justice, and human rights does credit to your faith, and I would like to send my good wishes to you and your families at this time," said Mr Cameron.

"This festival is not only an opportunity to celebrate the Bahá'í religion and the principles of peace, social justice and equality which are at the heart of Bahá'í traditions," wrote Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrat party. "Ridván is also a time to acknowledge and reflect on the valuable social and cultural contribution made by the thousands of Baháis living in the UK."

"The Bahá'í community can be very proud of its active role in promoting religious tolerance, peace and unity across the world," said Mr Clegg.

In a message written on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, the leader of the Church of England expressed his solidarity with the Bahá'í leadership imprisoned in Iran. The message said that the Archbishop "has made clear to the Iranian authorities his profound disapproval of the way in which the leadership has been treated since their arrest and detention in harsh conditions and without charge last year. The charges now brought go against all the experience of Baha'is as peaceful people and loyal citizens of their countries."

The Archbishop assured those present at the parliamentary reception - "and especially those who have experienced persecution" - his warm greetings and his commitment to justice and to religious freedom for all.

The Ridván festival marks the first public announcement in 1863 by the Bahá'í Faith's Prophet-Founder Bahá'u'lláh of his mission.

Spain's Parliament calls for Immediate Release of the Baha'i Leaders

Posted: 24 Apr 2009

Iran Press Watch has learned that an article was published earlier this week stating that the Spanish House of Representatives has asked the Spanish government to call for the release of the seven (7) Baha'i leaders [formerly known as the Yaran, or "Friends"] in Iran and to condemn the systematic persecution of the Baha'is. It also condemns the human rights violations committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

According to this report, this motion was introduced by a member of the conservative Popular Party, Juan Carlos Grau, within the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee, and was unanimously approved by all parties represented in that Committee.

According to the article, Juan Carlos Grau stated that the 350,000 Baha'is living in Iran have been persecuted since the inception of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that Asma Jahangir, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief since 2004 and a Pakistani Muslim woman, had already referred specifically in a press release dated 20 March, 2006, to this campaign of persecution confidentially ordered by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A similar motion was passed three years ago after the mass arrests in Shiraz, calling on the Spanish government to convey their concern to Iran over the recrudescence of the difficult situation of the Baha'is in the previous months. Grau said that their situation has worsened over the years, particularly with the arrest of the seven Baha'i leaders, who are being held with no regard for the minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners. He also mentioned the three charges against them, namely, espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic, and the fact that they have been denied access to legal counsel.

Iran Press Watch also wishes to note that this news was first published by an Arab-owned press agency, Emirates News Agency out of the UAE, even before the Spanish media! This demonstrates the tremendous repercussions of and interest in the trial of the Baha'i leaders in the Arab and Muslim world as well as across the globe. Iran Press Watch is pleased to point out that rather than editorialize with negative statements about the Baha'i Faith, as has often happened in other Arab press coverage of the Faith, the UAE article was factual reportage of the Spanish parliamentary action, which is a welcome approach.

Filmmaker's open letter re imprisoned fiancé; not only Bahá'ís accused of spying - a respected US-Iranian journalist is as well

Two soul-stirring articles: one from the attentive blog of David Henderson - consultant, author, journalist; the other a post to the intelligent blog Kids Side by Side by Keyvan.

Iran … Where Americans are Imprisoned

In January, a journalist named Roxana Saberi - who grew up in Fargo, North Dakota; was crowned Miss North Dakota; attended Northwestern University in Chicago; and, holds dual U.S.-Iran citizenship - was arrested in Iran, accused of spying for the U.S....

Ms. Saberi's financee - Bahman Ghobadi - is an Iranian filmmaker who has released the following open letter to the woman he loves in an attempt to get world attention on her plight.

(Excerpt:)

It is with tears in my eyes that I say she is innocent and guiltless. It is me, who has known her for years, and shared every moment with her, who declares it. She was always busy reading and doing her research. Nothing else. During all these years I've known her, she wouldn't go anywhere without letting me know... To her friends, her family, everyone that surrounded her, she had given no signs of unreasonable behavior. How come someone who would spend days without going out of her apartment, except to see me; ...had sometimes trouble making a living; someone who was looking for a sponsor to get in contact with a local publisher so her book would be printed here (in Iran); could now be charged with a spying accusation?! We all know – no, we have all seen in movies – that spies are malicious and sneaky... and that they are very well paid. And now my heart is full of sorrow.

My letter is a desperate call to all statesmen and politics, and to all those who can do something to help. From the other side of the ocean, the Americans have protested against her imprisonment, because she is an American citizen. But I say no, she is Iranian, and she loves Iran. I beg you, let her go! I beg you not to throw her in the midst of you political games! ... Let me be present at her trial...and testify she is without guilt or reproach.

However, I am optimistic about her release, and I firmly hope the verdict will be cancelled in the next stage of the trial.

My Iranian girl with Japanese eyes and an American ID, is in jail. Shame on me! Shame on us!

Bahman Ghobadi

Read the whole story here.

8 year old Bahá'í boy misses his imprisoned mom! Can any one help?

Yesterday I was watching KCET T.V. news and was quite saddened to hear about the situation of the NPR reporter Roxana Saberi who is now in the notorious Evin Prison of the Islamic Republic Regime of Iran. Because of what? Because the Islamic Republic Regime of Iran has its own agenda that no other International body or authority seems to respect or understand. Because of the same reasons, the 7 members of the ad-hock committee of the Bahaís of Iran are in the Evin prison. What a shame that Roxana, a dedicated journalist, a talented musician, a loving and young servant of humanity who is respected by all who know her and work with her, be put behind the bars of the notorious Evin prison, and subjected to hours of psychological torture and interrogation. I said a prayer for her protection.

Seeing her parents siting next to each other on a couch and with great concern for her safety and life, pleading for the supreme leaders compassion and reason swelled my eyes with tears! I felt their agony, watching what her poor mother and father, so helpless, so worried, so desperate, yet hopeful for a glimmer of sense from the senseless!! It also reminded me of Fariba Kamal-Abadi and the other Bahaís prisoners in that prison, interrogated for hours and subjected to inhumane treatment for over a year now.

It is the period of Ridvan and the Bahaís from all religious, racial and national background, all over the world are celebrating the Festival of Ridvan when Bahaú'llah declared His message of oneness, unity and peace for all. But these innocent human beings whose only crime is their beautiful and humane belief are withering in the Evin prison. May God watch over them and protect them from the claws of their enemies because human beings appear helpless to do so.

From a different corner, the beleaguered Baha'is of Shiraz are crying out to us for help [more on this here - Editor], and all humanity is feeling helpless!! They are writing; "The Imprisoned Bahais in Shiraz are being kept under inhumane conditions. They are held in small cells, in solitary confinement. These cells are about 2.2 meters x 2.2 meters wide, with an open washroom at the corner, and without any sort of windows, openings or ventilation system. Their bedding consists merely of two blankets on the cement prison floor. At present, there are seven Bahai detained in the city of Shiraz. The Baha'i way of thinking and believing, about religion is threatening to the Islamic Republic Regeme, you can see.

Among them, the situation of Haleh Houshamandi-Salehi (arrested March 18, 2009), is the gravest. She has a heart ailment and her physician has stated that any stress or trauma will have an extremely serious impact on her health. Under the intense psychological and physical pressures of solitary confinement and ongoing interrogations, she developed numbness on the left side of her body to the point that she could not get herself up from the floor. After 22 days in solitary confinement, authorities transferred Halah Ruhi (detained since October 2007), to Halehs cell. Although Haleh Houshamandi-Salehi is being given some medication in the prison, she is in urgent need of proper medical care and the attention of a heart specialist. Her family has taken her medical records to the detention center, hoping for compassion and understanding.

However, in response to her family's ongoing inquiries into Halehs condition, the judiciary investigator recently said: Who cares about what happens if one of you dies, one less the better!! I say woe, for the cause of justice, the Luke Sky Walkers of humanity that have become the prisoners of the dark forces, the Dart-waders of history of humanity.

Haleh Houshmadi-Salehis 8-year old son, Sooren, traumatized by the raid of his home and the detainment of his mother, often bursts into tears. The mothers of his classmates help their children with their homework, drop them off and pick them up from school, but the authorities have left Sooren without his mother. He says, I feel like crying, but I try very hard and stop myself. I worry that my classmates will make fun of me. He often asks when his mother will be home, but no one has any answers to comfort this broken-hearted child." Is this the religion of peace that the Prophet of Islam suffered to bring? Who is responsible for the protection of the human rights of innocent children in Iran today?

"Iran Watch reports that on April 4, a bail was set by the Prosecutor General of Fars province for the release of four of the prisoners arrested in the last two months. However, the judiciary investigator stated that under no condition would he accept the instructions of the Prosecutor General and allow these Bahais to be discharged on bail.

A few days ago, an arrest order was briefly shown to a Bahai that was being questioned by Islamic authorities. The arrest order was entitled: Arrest Warrant of all Connected Individuals. This revelation is very alarming as it indicates the authorities intentions to use such broad reaching statements to justify numerous arrests. With such a vague and ambiguous warrant, any and all family members of the detained Bahais can be considered connected individuals and any Bahai can be considered a connected individual by virtue of their faith and their common beliefs. Their use of elusive terminology on warrants allows them to detain, question and arrest any individual for any period of time, at will, and without any further justification or clarification.

It is the urgent hope of the detainees families that the ongoing atrocities against Bahais are stopped, and that their loved ones, detained solely because of their beliefs, are released."
It looks like all humanity who has humanity is feeling helpless in releasing these birds of God's love from the claws of the inhumanity of those who are thirsty for their blood and hungry for their flesh.
let us ask for help from the Supreme Protector of all.
Please join me in crying out for justice and compassion for all children:

O Lord! Draw up the people from the abyss of the ocean of hatred and enmity, and
deliver them from this impenetrable darkness. Unite their hearts, and brighten
their eyes with the light of peace and reconciliation. Deliver them from the
depths of war and bloodshed, and free them from the darkness of error. Remove
the veil from their eyes, and enlighten their hearts with the light of guidance.
Treat them with Thy tender mercy and compassion, and deal not with them
according to Thy justice and wrath which cause the limbs of the mighty to quake.

O Lord! Wars have persisted. Distress and anxiety have waxed great and every
flourishing region is laid waste.
O Lord! Hearts are heavy, and souls are in
anguish. Have mercy on these poor souls and do not leave them to the excesses of
their own desires.
O Lord! Make manifest in Thy lands humble and submissive
souls, their faces illumined with the rays of guidance, severed from the world,
extolling Thy Name, uttering Thy praise, and diffusing the fragrance of Thy
holiness amongst mankind. 58
O Lord! Strengthen their backs, gird up their
loins, and enrapture their hearts with the most mighty signs of Thy love.
O
Lord! Verily, they are weak, and Thou art the Powerful and the Mighty; they are
impotent, and Thou art the Helper and the Merciful.
O Lord! The ocean of
rebellion is surging, and these tempests will not be stilled save through Thy
boundless grace which hath embraced all regions.
O Lord! Verily, the people
are in the abyss of passion, and naught can save them but Thine infinite
bounties.

('Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 57)

Keyvan

Source is here.

Worsening situation in Shiraz: Severe neglect, continued harrassment

Two articles on the deteriorating circumstances surrounding Bahá'ís of Shiraz.
Excerpt:

...in response to her family's ongoing inquiries into Haleh's condition, the judiciary investigator recently said: "What happens if one of you dies, one less the better".
From iranpresswatch.org.

Imprisoned Baha'is Barred from Release despite Prosecutor's Ruling

Posted: 18 Apr 2009

Photo of Afshin Ehsanian

The following report was received on Thursday, April 16, 2009 and is offered below in translation (sources cited at the end):

Four Baha'is, namely, Mrs. Haleh Houshmandi, Mr. Kayvan Karami, Mr. Farhad Ma'sumi, and Mr. Afshin Ehsanian, who were arrested in the last two months, continue to languish in prison of the Ministry of Intelligence in Shiraz, known as Pelak 100.

According to a letter of the Prosecutor General of Fars province, they were scheduled to be releases from incarceration on April 4 on condition of bail and surety. However, the judiciary official investigating their case has so far refused to issue their discharge order and for this reason the four Baha'i continue to remain imprisoned.

After repeated visit by their families to various governmental offices requesting their release, it was announced that they would be allowed to go home after Naw-Ruz festivities [which were concluded on April 2].

On April 4, the Prosecutor General of Fars province issued a letter to the judicial investigator of these cases, indicating that bail was set for these individuals and they should be allowed to leave prison immediately. However, when the family followed up on this instruction, they were confronted with angry and inhumane response of the judiciary investigator stating that under no conditions would he accept the instructions of the Prosecutor General and allow these Baha'is to be discharged on bail.

During the last two weeks, many times the families of these imprisoned Baha'is have received threatening phone calls from the Ministry of Intelligence and in a number of instances these threats were accompanied with insults and accusations.

It should be noted that under intense psychological and physical pressures in the prison, Mrs. Haleh Houshmandi has developed severe heart conditions, but until now has been barred from seeing a physician or a specialist. Therefore, considerable worries about her physical well-being remain.

[Reported on Thursday April 16, 2009, by http://emails.mihanblog.com/post/87 and http://hra-iran.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=879:321&catid=84:502&Itemid=219. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]

Related posts

• The Baha'i Situation in Iran is Deteriorating! (1)

Urgent Appeal by the Baha'is of Shiraz

Posted: 19 Apr 2009

Editor's Note: Iran Press Watch has received the following urgent request from the Baha'is of Shiraz. It is requested that this note be posted in as many other sites as possible.

By the Baha'is of Shiraz

Imprisoned Baha'is in Shiraz are being kept under inhumane conditions. They are held in small cells, in solitary confinement. These cells are about 2.2 meters x 2.2 meters wide, with an open washroom at the corner, and without any sort of windows, openings or ventilation system. Their bedding consists merely of two blankets on the cement prison floor. At present, there are seven Baha'i detained in the city of Shiraz.

Among them, the situation of Haleh Houshamandi-Salehi (arrested March 18, 2009), is the gravest (see http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/04/serious-health/). She has a heart ailment and her physician has stated that any stress or trauma will have an extremely serious impact on her health. Under the intense psychological and physical pressures of solitary confinement and ongoing interrogations, she developed numbness on the left side of her body to the point that she could not get herself up from the floor. After 22 days in solitary confinement, authorities transferred Halah Ruhi (detained since October 2007), to Haleh's cell. Although Haleh Houshamandi-Salehi is being given some medication in the prison, she is in urgent need of proper medical care and the attention of a heart specialist. Her family has taken her medical records to the detention centre, hoping for compassion and understanding.

However, in response to her family's ongoing inquiries into Haleh's condition, the judiciary investigator recently said: "What happens if one of you dies, one less the better".

Photo of Sooren Salehi

Haleh Houshmadi-Salehi's 8-year old son, Sooren, traumatized by the raid of his home and the detainment of his mother, often bursts into tears. The mothers of his classmates help their children with their homework, drop them off and pick them up from school, but the authorities have left Sooren without his mother. He says, "I feel like crying, but I try very hard and stop myself. I worry that my classmates will make fun of me". He often asks when his mother will be home, but no one has any answers to comfort this broken-hearted child.

On April 4, a bail was set by the Prosecutor General of Fars province for the release of four of the prisoners arrested in the last two months. However, the judiciary investigator stated that under no condition would he accept the instructions of the Prosecutor General and allow these Baha'is to be discharged on bail (see, http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/04/imprisoned-bahais-barred/).

A few days ago, an arrest order was briefly shown to a Baha'i that was being questioned by Islamic authorities. The arrest order was entitled: Arrest Warrant of all Connected Individuals. This revelation is very alarming as it indicates the authorities' intentions to use such broad reaching statements to justify numerous arrests. With such a vague and ambiguous warrant, any and all family members of the detained Baha'is can be considered "connected individuals" and any Baha'i can be considered a "connected individual" by virtue of their faith and their common beliefs. Their use of elusive terminology on warrants allows them to detain, question and arrest any individual for any period of time, at will, and without any further justification or clarification.

It is the urgent hope of the detainees' families that the ongoing atrocities against Baha'is are stopped, and that their loved ones, detained solely because of their beliefs, are released.

Rights to education for minorities in Iran - no mention of largest group: the Bahá'ís

Two posts: One a video-interview, the other a learned editorial regarding the situation of education for minorities and Baha'is in Iran.

(Excerpt:)

...official internal documents detailing how the Baha'i question is to be answered...include "Permit them a modest livelihood" and that "The government's dealings with them must be in such a way that their progress and development are blocked" (From the leaked 1991/1993 memo) confirming what we already knew, what is intended for the Baha'is includes no aspirations, no excellence — the mother of all glass ceilings.

Deny. Deny. Denial.

Posted: 11 May 2009

A short interview with Geoffrey Cameron, research associate at the London-based Foreign Policy Centre, on the denial of higher education for the Baha’is in Iran. Mr. Cameron is also co-author of the 2008 publication ‘A Revolution without Rights? Women, Kurds and Baha’is Searching for Equality in Iran.’

Click here to view the embedded video.

[Source: The Moving Pictures]

On Minorities and Education, Iran omits Baha'is

Posted: 18 Apr 2009

Editor's Note: The following is an invited editorial on Iran's controversial statement on "Minorities and the Right to Education". We refer our readers to IPN's annual report on violations of the right of Baha'is in Iran to education for background information on this topic.

by Munib Kiani

At the United Nations Forum of Minority Issues, the Islamic Republic of Iran has published a statement titled "Minorities and the Right to Education." Documents of this type are produced by many countries, and traditionally pass into history without controversy. This particular document is rendered fascinating by the century-long opposition to Baha'i education in Iran and the government's denial of any persecution of its largest religious minority. A reading of it demonstrates as much by its phrasing as by its content.

It begins with a supportable argument: "Education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to fully participate in all spheres of life in socoiety (sic)."

Ipso facto, the reverse must be true: withdrawal of education would depress the marginalized into poverty, and leave their potential unrealized. Fortunately, the Republic documents its successes and continuing dedication to educate all, so it seems that all is well. Unfortunately all isn't well at all - there is ample proof (http://denial.bahai.org/) that education is restricted for the Baha'i community, as is illustrated in the many sad stories featured on the pages of Iran Press Watch, of youthful zeal and energy denied.

Even if you were to discount proof presented by the wronged minority as being biased, official internal documents detailing how the Baha'i question is to be answered, the treatment promulgated by the government include "Permit them a modest livelihood" and that "The government's dealings with them must be in such a way that their progress and development are blocked" (From the leaked 1991/1993 memo) confirming what we already knew, what is intended for the Baha'is includes no aspirations, no excellence — the mother of all glass ceilings. One might wonder at the motivations behind this denial, for which I defer to the pithy analysis of others.

Continuing, the document defines what it means by marginalized groups, identifying different ethnicities, language (groups), nationalities, nomads, culture, races and provincial sects and tribes. Pause… re-read that list!

The Islamic Republic makes no mention at all of religion — the closest it gets is "sects". This is an omission, which while including Christians and Jews, is specifically directed at Baha'is, inasmuch as they are the only group which is systematically denied higher education and who have repeatedly objected to this and drawn international attention to it. These objections have resulted in many international bodies and groups of prominent individuals issuing reproving messages condemning Iran's actions, and calling upon them to desist. Iran, though superficially unworried in the face of this deprival, nevertheless responds by changing policies, an example (in our opinion) being the shift from assaulting the Baha'is directly to the covert denial of rights and opportunities previously enjoyed. Re-addressing the document: if the Baha'i Faith is - erroneously - reduced to a mere sect, its members would merit education, however, since this is not the case, we posit that the authors of the document intentionally left religion out, because they were fully aware of the policy towards the Baha'is, and simply used the catch-all term "etc" to refer to all other groups in order to avoid the real issue.

The above point is strengthened when the proud assertion: "Under the existing laws, all students irrespective of their race, language, ethnicity and nationality are equally entitled to educational facilities in the country." True, but the Islamic Republic again omits religion — why?

Next, reference is made to the Iranian Constitution — that the country provides free education for all to a secondary level and "higher education to the extent that the country meets its own needs." It is interesting that a population of 300,000 Baha'is whose teachings give very high value to education and its pursuit, and who before the revolution were one of the most educated groups in the country, provide so few students at the university level, and that Baha'i students who performed excellently on a national level were denied their right to higher education. These statements refer to the laws omitting reference to actuality, and then hypocritically mentioning that "decisions are based on the principles of equality and justice."

What kind of equity is it when students who have achieved the highest level in national tests are then denied their right to higher education, when Baha'i citizens who desire nothing more than to contribute to their country and to support their families are prevented from earning a decent living, are then denied pensions at the end of their working life, and in the final desecration, whose graves are violated by an unfeeling regime?

Related posts

• The Right of Baha'is to Education in the Past Year (7)
• An Account of an Expelled Baha'i Student (5)

From iranpresswatch.org.

Songs by Bahá'í artists in Iran demonstrate unruffled spirit

It is encouraging to see the arts flourish among the Bahá'í youth in Iran despite continued severe repression. Here a traditional song: Eyde Redvan (MP3). From iranpresswatch.org.

Two Songs from the Baha'i Youth of Iran

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 10:54 AM PDT

Iran Press Watch is pleased to publish the following two songs just released by Baha'i youth in Iran.

It is deeply gratifying to see that despite all pressures and limitations imposed on the beleaguered Baha'i community of that land and false accusations made against the Baha'i citizens of Iran, artist activities remain vibrant and give resonant voice to expressing principle aims of the Baha'i community of Iran.

One of the songs is in celebration of the Ridvan festivities, the most significant event for the Baha'is throughout the year, which marks Baha'u'llah's declaration of his ministry.

Eyde Redvan (MP3) | Shuri Ke Betazim (MP3)

Related posts

• Be Free by Tara Ellis and Raha Lewis (0)

Messages of the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís in Iran

A collection of loving, exhortative messages from the central Body of the Faith to the believers in Iran. The full messages can be read here or accessed in PDF-format below. From iranpresswatch.org.

Messages of the Universal House of Justice

Posted: 17 Apr 2009

Iran Press Watch is pleased to commence publishing authorized translations of letters of the Universal House of Justice to the Iranian Baha'i community. These letters contain various directions enunciated by the world governing body of the Baha'is to the Baha'is of Iran ranging across a wide spectrum of topics.

Iran Press Watch specifically requested permission from the Baha'i World Centre to share these letters, and authorization was graciously granted.  Where authorized translations may not be available, a draft translation will be posted but clearly identified as such.

• March 05, 2009
• February 09, 2009
• October 31, 2008
• July 28, 2008
• June 20, 2008
• June 03, 2008
• May 19, 2008

Sister's letter to imprisoned brother

From iranpresswatch.org.

Excerpt:

"It is only a few hours until the start of a new year, Naw-Ruz, and again you are not with us this year."

A Letter to My Brother Sasan

Posted: 17 Apr 2009

Raha Sabet, Sasan Taqavi and Haleh Ruhi

Editor's Note: In May 2006, a group of over 80 individuals was arrested in and around the city of Shiraz, Iran. They were involved in a teaching program benefitting underprivileged children. The group had been granted permission for their activities by the Islamic authorities of the city. Muslim members of the group were immediately released. However, 54 Baha'is were detained for a few days, and afterwards released on bail. In August 2007, they were tried by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court. They were charged with "offences against state security". Three of them were sentenced to four years imprisonment for "organizing illegal groups" and "propaganda on behalf of groups that are opposed to the Islamic system". The other Baha'is in the group received a one year suspended sentence provided that they participated in a three year Islamic indoctrination course.

Below is a summary of a letter written by Roya, the sister of Sasan Taqva, one of the three individuals now serving a four year sentence. Haleh Houshmandi, whose name is mentioned in the letter, is among those with a suspended sentence. On March 15, 2009, while Haleh and her husband were on a trip, their home was raided by officers of the Ministry of Intelligence. She was summoned to appear at a detention facility run by the Ministry of Intelligence upon her return to Shiraz. She has been detained since March 18, (see http://www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/03/arrested-shiraz/). When Babak, her husband, inquired about the charges against Haleh, he was told: "Your wife is a Baha'i and for now that is sufficient reason for her arrest".

A Letter to My Brother Sasan

By Roya Taqva

To my dear brother Sasan,

It is only a few hours until the start of a new year, Naw-Ruz, and again you are not with us this year. As I write, I am remembering what our father said a few days ago. He sighed and said, "I wish every day of the week was Tuesday (visiting day at the prison), and that the visiting hour would last a long time".

My dear brother: where in the world is teaching moral values to children and helping them with their school assignments a crime?

God, you know how hard it is to wait for the end of a jail term. You know how this waiting turns hair grey and consumes hearts. Please turn our family's sorrow into ease. God, we are proud of the acts of service of my brother and the rest of the group. However, they are paying a great price for standing strong and serving underprivileged children. God, you hear the cries and laments of my parents. You know that waiting in sorrow has been their nightly food and sustenance.

Dad, every time I see tears running down your face in the privacy of your home, and see you strong like a mountain in public, I feel very proud to have been born into this family.

Houshmandi family, including presently imprisoned Haleh

Mom, every night that I hear you cry while I am lying in my bed, I raise my hands to the heavens and ask God to turn the darkness of night into the dawn of tranquility.

My dear sister, you live far away, but I know how the absence of our brother has consumed your entire being.

My dear brother, the heart of your little sister, Roya, is full of sorrow. For seventeen months, her dear brother and friend has been the subject of her writing.

My dear brother, this New Year again you are not with us. When our mother placed your picture near to us at the time of the New Year, seeing her sad face and noticing the lump in her throat could have melted stone.

Those souls treading the path of love and unity have been entrapped by the forces of darkness, but God, I know the ocean of your bounty is surging. I am able to bear the hardships surrounding us because I wholly trust in your wisdom. I am certain that we have a bright future ahead of us. The day will come when this group of young adults, now suffering for their acts of service, will lay brick on brick and build a new world, which will be given as a gift to Iran and the world. It is as clear to me as is the existence of the sun in the sky that these imprisonments will bring hope for a glorious future.

You know Sasan, this year Babak and his son are alone too. Haleh Houshmandi is not with them. She is celebrating the New Year in prison, while her Lord watches over her. Before she was taken away, Haleh had been like a dear child for our parents in your absence.

Signed,

Roya

[Translation by Iran Press Watch.]

Source is here.

Human Rights Watch calls on Ahmadinejad to announce an end to repression of Bahá'ís at UN conference

Edited from iranpresswatch.org.

Excerpts:

"It's clear Iran stood isolated when it tried to reintroduce the concept of defamation of religion in negotiations last week," de Rivero said. "If Ahmadinejad tries to reopen issues that states have taken off the table, delegations should react firmly to uphold the current consensus."

"Human Rights Watch called on Ahmadinejad to use his presence at the UN racism conference to announce an end to repression of the Baha'i people in Iran and a commitment to allow freedom of expression - an essential protection in the fight against racism worldwide."

Don't Let Any Nations Derail UN Racism Conference

Posted: 17 Apr 2009

Editor's Note: Human Rights Watch published the following article yesterday, reporting on UN's upcoming conference on racism. They call on President Ahmadinejad to 'use his presence at the conference to announce an end to repression of the Baha'i people.' While no one expects this to happen, the conference puts human rights abuses in Iran in the spotlight, increasing attention given to the Baha'i case.

(HRW-Geneva) - The likely presence of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the UN's upcoming conference on racism should strengthen the resolve of governments to attend the talks and ensure the adoption of a strong declaration against racism, Human Rights Watch said today. Ahmadinejad has announced he will attend the Durban Review Conference to be held on April 21-24, 2009 in Geneva, while the United States has said it will not participate because of continuing concerns about the proposed text.

"We've made enormous progress to overcome the problems surrounding the preparatory process of this conference and produce a declaration to unite the world against the scourge of racism," said Juliette de Rivero, Geneva advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. "Governments should stand firm in Geneva to ensure that Ahmadinejad's presence isn't used to undermine a process that's now backed by so many nations, or to undercut the constructive spirit of the negotiations." ...

On April 15, the Russian chair of the preparatory negotiations produced a new, revised version of the draft declaration for the conference which provides a basis for a broad global agreement. The document takes stock of efforts to end racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance and paves the way for future UN action. On April 21, the representatives of nearly every member state of the UN will meet to finalize this text and pledge themselves to a renewed commitment to defeat racism.

Ahmadinejad's past statements on Israel and the Holocaust have made him a divisive figure. Some fear that during his appearance at the conference he could make controversial comments on the two issues that the other countries agreed to keep out.

"It's clear Iran stood isolated when it tried to reintroduce the concept of defamation of religion in negotiations last week," de Rivero said. "If Ahmadinejad tries to reopen issues that states have taken off the table, delegations should react firmly to uphold the current consensus." ...

"The issue of fighting racism and discrimination is too important to be derailed by anyone," de Rivero said.

Human Rights Watch called on Ahmadinejad to use his presence at the UN racism conference to announce an end to repression of the Baha'i people in Iran and a commitment to allow freedom of expression - an essential protection in the fight against racism worldwide.

Ahmadinejad's government routinely represses dissent and has continued the decades-old repression of Iran's religious and ethnic minorities, including the Baha'i religious minority (http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2006/06/04/iran-scores-arrested-anti-baha-i-campaign), Human Rights Watch said. Iran's record of repressing peaceful dissent does great injustice to the struggle against racism and discrimination.

Human Rights Watch criticized the continued failure of the Obama administration to commit to participate in the racism conference....

[Source: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/04/16/dont-let-any-nations-derail-un-racism-conference]

Source is here.