Appeal of family members, prominent jurist for intervention on behalf of imprisoned Bahá'í leaders

A moving appeal from relatives of the seven imprisoned Bahá'í leaders - the Yaran - in Iran, as well prominent Australian jurist leader.
(Excerpt:)

Roya Kamalabadi of Melbourne, a sister of one of the imprisoned leaders, said: “The very thought of my dear sister, Fariba facing possible execution for the love of humanity that she so cherishes in her heart is devastating to me and my family.”

“My dear fellow citizens, after the bitter experience of the Holocaust, humanity promised to itself that “Never Again” we shall allow such annihilation of humanity to take place -- let us once more reaffirm our vows not to let this happen to humanity ever again,” Mrs Kamalabadi said.

Eminent jurist calls for pressure

SYDNEY, 11 February 2010

International pressure should be brought to bear on Iran for the release of seven wrongfully-imprisoned Baha’i leaders, the eminent jurist John Dowd AO QC told an inter-faith gathering at the NSW Parliament on 9 February 2010.

“This is not a trial -- it is a persecution,” said Mr Dowd, the president of the International Commission of Jurists Australia.

Above

Melbourne Baha'i Roya Kamalabadi spoke about the imprisonment and trial of her sister, Fariba.

Among 130 people attending the gathering were MPs Rob Stokes and Anthony Roberts, Community Relations Commission chairman Stepan Kerkyasharian, leaders and members of faith communities and NGO representatives.

Grave charges have been levelled against the seven leaders in closed court sessions held on 12 January and 7 February 2010. All seven have denied the accusations which include espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order, acting against the security of the country, and spreading corruption on earth.

Rhetoric of hatred

Mr Dowd said that just as the Nazis built up rhetoric of hatred and ridicule against the Jews prior to World War II, Iran is doing the same with Baha’is.

“It sets up religious courts to try breaches of religious laws and persecutes people as in Nazi Germany because having someone to blame is a very unifying factor among a suppressed people,” he said.

The seven leaders are effectively being charged with breach of Islamic beliefs, even though the Iranian constitution guarantees freedom of belief, he said.

Visibly moved

Relatives of three of the seven Baha’is spoke to the audience, many of whom were visibly moved by the sentiments expressed.

Roya Kamalabadi of Melbourne, a sister of one of the imprisoned leaders, said: “The very thought of my dear sister, Fariba facing possible execution for the love of humanity that she so cherishes in her heart is devastating to me and my family.”
“My dear fellow citizens, after the bitter experience of the Holocaust, humanity promised to itself that “Never Again” we shall allow such annihilation of humanity to take place -- let us once more reaffirm our vows not to let this happen to humanity ever again,” Mrs Kamalabadi said.

Amin Tavakoli of Adelaide said his imprisoned brother, Behrouz, was in jail because of his belief in the oneness of the world religions and the oneness of humanity.

“If I could have one wish, it would be to see him one more time,” Mr Tavakoli said.

“I would hug him and put my ear to his chest and listen to the melody of his heart, a heart that plays the melody of love – love of God, love of humanity,” Mr Tavakoli said.

Ghodsieh Samimi of Sydney said when her niece, Mahvash Sabet, was arrested almost two years ago, her family was not informed of her whereabouts for almost three months.

“The family did not even know whether she was alive or not,” Mrs Samimi said.

Mrs Samimi said many Baha’is in Iran are persecuted every day with baseless excuses.

“Even children are constantly harassed at school, Baha’is are not allowed to attend higher education, and Baha’is are harassed at their home, at work and even on the street.”

Prayers

Representatives of six major religions in Australia offered prayers for the seven Baha’i leaders.

“We, the leaders of our communities and representatives of Australia’s faiths, join with the family of these seven Baha’i leaders,” said Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence, who is Senior Rabbi at Sydney’s Great Synagogue.

“We pray that they will be restored to their families; that they will be able to worship in freedom; that they will be able to celebrate their faith and inspire their fellows with the beauty and peaceful message of its teachings,” Rabbi Lawrence said.

“Today we gather with our concern and prayers for the seven Baha’i leaders who are imprisoned in Iran,” said General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, Rev. Tara Curlewis.

“As Australians we struggle to understand what it is like to live where one’s opinion or religion can not be openly expressed for fear of imprisonment or persecution,” Rev Curlewis said.

“May the people of this world respect their neighbour no matter what their race or religious belief,” she said.

Prayers were also said by Hindu Council of Australia representative, Vijai Singhal; Sikh representative, Mohinde Pal; Buddhist monk Bhante Tejadhammo; and the National Secretary of the Australian Baha’i Community, Arini Beaumaris.

Source: bahai.org.au