Threats to public of capital punishment, scores of wanton arrests reveal a regime at end of its resources

The blind denunciation and hitting out by the Iranian government against any and all forms of public demonstration is daily intensifying, thus exacerbating people's discontent with the regime. An e-mail circular of 2 January 2010 from the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran (iranhumanrights.org) (read below) reports the latest desperate measures being contemplated and implemented on behalf of a government that is being subjected to increasing public pressure and international scrutiny. Attempts by the Iranian media to blame the country's social unrest on the influence of foreign countries and/or the Bahá'ís of Iran (more on that here) are but part and parcel of the regime's ongoing propaganda machine.

Further down, find a widely publicized article from ABC news (Australia) detailing the continued appalling human rights abuses perpetrated by the Iranian security and justice system.



 

Iran: Detained Protesters Threatened with Execution

Pressure Builds on Judiciary to Act "As in 1979" (3 January 2010) In apparently coordinated messages, pro-government clerics have publicly called for detained protesters to be executed, placing intense political pressure on the Islamic Republic's supposedly-independent judiciary to act as judicial authorities did in the early days of the Revolution, and attempting to intimidate Iranians from demonstrating for their rights, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran stated today.

The ayatollahs were quoted, from speeches during pro-government demonstrations and during Friday Prayers, by Fars News Agency.

"We are deeply concerned that, while inappropriate political pressure is being placed on judicial authorities, government propaganda is preparing the population for executions," said Hadi Ghaemi, spokesperson for the Campaign.

Ayatollah Alamolhoda , a member of the Assembly of Experts, warned citizens who had demonstrated their opposition to the government's restrictions on civil rights that they would be considered Mohareb, or enemies of God, if they did not give up their opposition. Mohareb is a crime punishable by death in the Islamic Republic. Alamolhoda implored the demonstrators to "come back to the side of the Supreme Leader," otherwise they would "regret the punishments" waiting for them.

During Friday Prayers in Tehran, Ayatollah Janati, the Secretary of the Guardian Council, addressed the protesters as follows: "These people obviously are Mofsed felarz [one who denies the Prophet and spreads debauchery] and immediately after Revolution such people were punished…" ...

Janati addressed the Judiciary and said, "Detain those who should be arrested, don't release them after several days in order to continue chaos. These people won't be led to the right path." He added, "The Intelligence and Information institutions should do their task and if these people dare again to disrespect and insult [sacred] values in the street they should not be secure and should be arrested and tried immediately. Also, for their trial, judges should proceed as rapidly as those in 1979."

Ayatollah Sayed Yousef Tabataienejad, during Friday Prayers in Isfahan, also addressed the Judiciary and stated: "The disruptive group fought with God by coming onto the streets…they are Mofsed felarz and the Judiciary should know that their actions are obvious debauchery and according to God and the Koran the punishment is execution."

Ayatollah Haj Sheikh Asadolah Imani, a member of the Assembly of Experts, in the Friday Prayers in Shiraz, said, "Anarchists should know that if they cause anarchy or contribute in it, they are Mohareb and Mortad, and the Judiciary should punish them properly."

Iran arrests hundreds of dissidents

By correspondent Anne Barker and wires

Posted Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:17am AEDT
Updated Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:15am AEDT

Iranian forces have broadened their crackdown against opposition protests by arresting hundreds of dissidents, as a senior cleric called for opposition leaders to be put to death.

Security authorities in Tehran have arrested at least 300 people accused of inciting the latest protests against the government.

Security forces are also restricting the movements of Mir Hossein Mousavi, the main opposition leader.

Those arrested include prominent dissidents or their relatives, such as the sister of Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi.

Ms Ebadi said on French radio France Info that Iranian authorities were trying to silence her by arresting her sister.

"This arrest is illegal because my sister is a dentist, she is not in any way active in human rights or politics... and she didn't participate in any protests," Ms Ebadi said.
She said intelligence officials entered her sister's house on Monday night to arrest her without a warrant, rifled through her belongings, and confiscated computers.

Eight people were killed in Sunday's riots.

Yesterday pro-government loyalists staged their own rallies in support of the government and denouncing the opposition.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has accused the United States and Israel of inciting the latest anti-government protest.

Mr Ahmadinejad joined a chorus of Iranian leaders attacking foreign governments for encouraging the latest violent protests against the Islamic regime.

He accused the US and Israel of staging a "nauseating play" by fomenting the unrest.
Iran's foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki summoned the British ambassador in Tehran and threatened his country with a "slap in the mouth" if it didn't stop meddling in Iran's affairs.

A representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says opposition leaders are "enemies of God" who should be executed under the country's sharia law.

"Those who are behind the current sedition in the country... are mohareb [enemies of God] and the law is very clear about punishment of a mohareb," said cleric Abbas Vaez-Tabasi, who possesses ultimate authority in Iran.

Under Iran's Islamic sharia law the sentence for "mohareb" is execution.

Source: http://abconline.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/30/2782418.htm?section=world 

SARI: Four Baha'i women arrested, families harrassed

Arrest of Four Baha'i Women in Northern Iran

Posted: 30 Dec 2009

Washington, 23 Dec. (Television Washington) – Last week, in continuation of widespread pressure on the Baha'is in Iran and repeated arrests in various locations of the country, four Baha'i women were arrested in the city of Sari, near the Caspian Sea, capital of the province of Mazandaran.
According to a report from the Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran, last week on Tuesday [15 Dec. 2009], Mrs. Samira Samiee [1] and on Saturday [19 Dec. 2009] Mrs. Sepideh Masumi, Mrs. Sepideh Zamani, and Saha Zamani – four Baha'is living in that city [Sari] were arrested.
According to the same report, on Tuesday morning security agents arrived at the home of Mrs. Samira Samiee and her husband Mr. Fardin Yousefi, searched the house, tore apart Baha'i pictures, confiscated some personal belongings, arrested Samira, and "beat, insulted and threatened with pepper spray" her husband, who was protesting the arrest of his wife.
According to the same report, at the same time, about 15 other security agents arrived at the home of Mrs. Sepideh Masumi; since she was not at home, they searched her house and insulted her father, who is an elder man, with vulgar language (such as religiously "untouchable"). The agents put Sepideh's mother under pressure and made her to promise that Sepideh would present herself [to the agents] on Saturday.
Consequently, Mrs. Sepideh Masumi along with Sepideh & Saha Zamani, who were also asked to present themselves to the Court, arrived at the court. After many hours of interrogation, on leaving the court they were arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and transferred to a holding cell.
Last week, two more Baha'is in Semnan and Sari were also arrested. Also, the Islamic Revolutionary Court issues sentences of imprisonment and exile for another three Baha'is in Yasuj.
In this connection, yesterday the Iran Human Rights Documentation Centre [IHRDC], located in the United States, published a number of reports with regard to the situation of the Baha'is in Iran: "Prohibition of religious belief, persecution and prosecution of the Baha'is in Iran," "Crime against humanity: the attack of the Islamic Republic on the Baha'is," and "A community under oppression: the record of the suffering of the Baha'is of Shiraz." The IHRDC accused the Islamic Republic and its authorities of "extermination of the Baha'i Faith" through arrest and oppression of its followers.
The followers [of the Baha'i Faith] suffer from many limitations under the Islamic Republic, including education, travel, residence, employment, religious observations and even burial of their dead.
Editor's Notes:
[1] IPW reported Mrs. Samira Samiee's arrest earlier. See http://www.iranpresswatch.org/post/5373
[2] Iran Human Rights Documentation Center: http://iranhrdc.org/httpdocs/English/homepage.htm
[Source: Television Washington, http://www.televisionwashington.com/floater_article1.aspx?lang=fa&t=1&id=16725&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter]

From Iran Press Watch

Attempts by Iranian Media to implicate Baha'is as sources of social unrest

Iran State Media Blames the "Baha'i Sect" for Recent Unrest

Posted: 30 Dec 2009

(MNBR) – Yesterday in Iran, articles appeared in two government-run news outlets blaming the Baha'i "sect" for the recent unrest in Iran, and namely the widespread protests that took place across the country on the day of Ashura. The Javan Newspaper, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, claimed that the protesters in "Mousavi's camp" tore Qur'ans during the protests, and that this is a practice that is common among the "Baha'i branch" of Mousavi's staff. The semi-official Fars News Agency, which has recently seen an influx in its ranks of Basij members, claimed that "Baha'ism under the leadership of Zionism is behind the latest crisis and unrest".

The sign reads: "Mousavi, the Baha’i, must be executed"

The following is a translation from Farsi of the relevant paragraphs of the Fars News Agency story:
Baha'ism, Led by Zionism, is Hatching Intrigue Behind the Scenes of the Recent Unrest
Ne'matollah Bavand, an expert and researcher in political affairs, proclaims that Baha'ism under the leadership of Zionism is behind the latest crisis and unrest.
Asserting that there is no doubt that Baha'ism, led by Zionism, is behind these disturbances, Bavand declared: "A female advisor to one of the candidates in the recent presidential election who wears a turban defended Baha'ism." [Note: this is an implied and disparaging reference to Mehdi Karroubi].
He added: "How long will the government put up with these people? Haven't the people been convinced yet of the nature of these hypocrisies?…An advisor to this man, who pretends to be a man of the cloth and who was once the head of parliament, has openly come out in defense of Baha'ism and is currently completing training with her husband in England to become spies."
He emphasized, "The public sees these things and becomes upset. Isn't there a way to take care of these problems? The key players leave Iran and people of lesser importance are tried, when it is the key players that need to be tried!…The enemy has come to seek revenge for all the victories [of the Islamic Republic] in the Mecca of Islam: Iran!"
Below in a translation from Farsi of the Javan newspaper story
Plot of Baha'ism in the Musawi Camp to Publicly Desecrate Religious Sanctities is Exposed
On 'Ashura, the protectors of the Musawi camp did not have the decency to abstain from desecrating even the most sacred of religious sanctities. By tearing up copies of the Qur'an on Enqelab Street in front of those mourning the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, they have exposed another side of their contempt for religion.
Confirming the above report, an expert in matters of security told Javan Online: "The actions of the Musawi Camp in desecrating religious sanctities is nothing new. In fact, this began happening when a Baha'i branch in the staff of this candidate was formed during the days leading up to the election."
He added: "This sect has long been planning to attack the religious sanctities of the people on 'Ashura but since they can never secure the protection of the masses, they will never be succeed."
Regarding the role of Baha'ism in desecrating religious sanctities, our expert in matters of security stated, "The path that the Musawi camp is taking in their attack on religious sanctities is the exact same path that the misguided Baha'i sect has been on for years."
He added: "We have evidence connecting the sect of Baha'ism with the Musawi camp and the strategic partnership between these two groups."

[Source: Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights http://www.bahairights.org/2009/12/29/iran-state-media-blames-the-bahai-sect-for-recent-unrest/]

From Iran Press Watch

House letter to Bahá'ís of Iran stresses spiritual requisites for family well-being

A remarkable message from the Universal House of Justice addressing this and related pivotal social issues.

Baha'i world governing body encourages the Baha'is [of Iran] to participate in the betterment of Iran

Posted: 30 Dec 2009

The Universal House of Justice [1], the world governing body of the Baha'is of the world, in recent months has called the Baha'is in Iran to an active participation in the affairs of Iran, its reconstruction and in the improvement of its social conditions [2].
In its messages [to the Baha'is in Iran], the Universal House of Justice has explained the importance of the future of Iran to the Baha'i Faith, and has asked the Baha'is, notwithstanding the current threatening conditions [for them], and despite being the largest religious monitory in Iran, to collaborate actively with other Iranians who are active in the areas of social development, without taking part in any of the many Iranian political groups.
In it's most recent message to the Baha'is of Iran [3], the Universal House of Justice has asked the Baha'is of Iran to search for the foundations of sustainable social and cultural advancement in their consultation at the family and community level, through emphasis on the role of the family in children's education, through a true understanding of justice and service to mankind.
This message, which was written on the occasion of the translation [into Persian] and publication of a collection of Baha'i teachings on family life, calls attention to the importance of consultation in these areas as an effective means for improvement of social relationships.
In this message, the Baha'is in Iran are asked to work towards the realization of a social order based on justice and unity with other Iranians. The Universal House of Justice identifies the development of family life as the prerequisite for attaining this goal. It writes: "the weakness of spiritual bonds in family life is among the signs of the moral decline of the social order of our time. The lack of complete equality between men and women in the family and ignoring children's rights in family life leads to a culture that allows the belittlement of the station of women and children, to the imposition of one's will over others, which leads to violence, first in the family unit, schools and workplace, and finally in the streets and on the social scene." [4]
The Universal House of Justice also warns that an unbalanced attention to the physical security of the family, in some circumstances, "can lead to narrow social views" and those who under a pretense of "family unity" may teach [a dichotomy between] "us and them" to their children, as well as those who "through the indoctrination of such poisonous beliefs" may promote "prejudice" against other social groups in the society.
According to the Universal House of Justice, this [unbalanced] education will reduce human empathy in the children; it is no surprise if children who grow up under these conditions "become indifferent to the sufferings of others" and even participate in the spread of injustice. Even when they do not become directly involved in the infringement of human rights, "since the defense and the protection of the people in oppressive society is very difficult, they will adopt the easy way of silence and tolerance with the oppressor instead of the means of justice and defense, and unknowingly will become obstacles to their own spiritual growth and to the advancement of their own people."
This message of the Universal House of Justice is an invitation to the Baha'is in Iran to engage in reflection and consultation on these subjects within their families, and with neighbors and co-workers about "how could every member of the family play a constructive role in the creation of a positive atmosphere; and how can they ensure that in this process each generation attains astonishing progress over the previous ones."
The Universal House of Justice views this effort as an important service for promoting the progress of Iran.
Editor's Notes:
[1] The Universal House of Justice is the international governing body of the Baha'i Faith. See: http://info.bahai.org/universal-house-of-justice.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_House_of_Justice
[2] For a collection of the messages of the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of Iran in Persian see: http://www.universal-house-of-justice-messages.org. For English translations, please contact IPW.
[3] Dated 24-Nov-2009, See the complete message in Persian here: http://www.universal-house-of-justice-messages.org/payam/2009-11-24.html
[4] The English translation of the quoted passages is a provisional translation by IPW.
[Source: Farhang Goftego (Culture and Dialogue), http://www.farhanggoftego.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=647:2009-12-08-15-43-36&catid=53:2009-08-25-13-30-02&Itemid=59; Translation by IPW]

From Iran Press Watch

New trial date set for 7 former Bahá'í leaders in Iran

The Bahá'í World News service announced the following yesterday (16 December):

Trial set for 12 January in case of seven Baha'i "leaders": Attorneys have received formal notification of a trial date of 12 January in the case of the five men and two women who formerly comprised the small group called the Friends in Iran. They were arrested in the spring of 2008 and have been held in Tehran's Evin Prison for more than a year and a half.












Read More on BWNS

Photo copyright Bahá’í International Community.

Front-page photo of Bahá'í "Lotus" temple in Iran newspaper provokes ban

Ban on newspaper lifted

ILNA | AP | Nov. 23, 2009

Iranian authorities have banned the country's largest-circulation newspaper for publishing a photo of a Baha'i temple, state media reported Monday.

Iran's Shiite cleric-led regime views the Baha'i religion as heretical and has banned it since the 1979 revolution. The photo also gave Iran's leaders an opportunity to silence the Hamshahri daily, which mostly reports on social issues but which has been critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Hamshahri was ordered closed by the Press Supervisory Board, a government agency run by hard-liners, for printing an advertisement containing a photo of a Baha'i temple that encourages tourists to visit the shrine, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The newspaper's director, Ali Reza Mahak, said he has received no order to close and was preparing to publish Hamshahri's Tuesday edition. But Deputy Culture Minister Mohammad Ali Ramin later confirmed to Iran's state TV that Hamshahri has been ordered closed.
The IRNA report said legal authorities would investigate the newspaper, which is run by Tehran's municipality and supports the capital's mayor, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, a moderate conservative who has long been a rival of Ahmadinejad.
Iran's hard-line judiciary has shut down more than 120 pro-reform newspapers and jailed dozens of editors and writers on vague charges of insulting authorities since 2000.
The closure order was also a message to Iran's estimated 300,000 Baha'is.
Seven Baha'i leaders have been in jail since May 2008 on charges of endangering national security for allegedly proselytizing. Leaders of the minority faith, however, say they are being persecuted by Iran's government for their religious beliefs.
Earlier, from ILNA...
A week-long ban on Hamshahri newspaper was lifted after a few hours. The daily, which is affiliated with the Tehran Municipality, was due to be suspended starting today.
The Press Supervisory Board announced the ban earlier this morning, according to the Iranian Labour News Agency. The suspension order was reportedly issued because the paper ran a tourist advertisement with a photo of a Bahai sect center.

Source found here.

In Brazil visit, open letter to Ahmadinejad from Baha'i National Assembly

An English translation of an open letter from Brazil's National Spiritual Assembly (the highest elected administrative body of the Baha'is of Brazil) during Mr. Ahmadinejad's recent visit to their country. From Iranpresswatch.org (translation slightly edited for clarity - Ed.).

Open Letter to Mr. Ahmadinejad
December 3rd, 2009

      Mr. President,

      Your visit to Brazil, invited by President Lula, provokes reflection on the relations between the two countries. Both Brazil and Iran have attracted increased attention in the world stage: they are rapidly advancing countries, with enormous geopolitical influence, and populations marked by great diversity. Nothing would be more natural, therefore, than to promote this relationship, by which one could share in best practices and establish ties of cooperation.

      In name of the above mentioned similarities, we call your attention to the following point: whereas Brazil has adopted a model of living together in diversity, with policies aimed at promoting participation and respect for human rights, in Iran one finds the arbitrary restriction of such rights in the persecution of minorities, in discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and religious identity.

      In Iran, the Bahá'ís (the largest religious minority in the country) face the severe consequences of religious discrimination, having their work licenses denied, as well as their access to education and justice. Their properties and sacred places have been confiscated and destroyed. In the last 30 years, more than 250 Bahá'ís have been executed for their beliefs; since 2005, more than 200 have been arbitrarily imprisoned, intimidated and harrassed – all because they would not deny their faith. Their seven national leaders have been arbitrarily imprisoned for more than 18 months, their defense being constantly impeded.

      The government-controlled media offends the Bahá'ís with hundreds of articles, radio and television programmes, web posts and leaflets with speeches of hatred, promoted by clergymen and government officials – whereas Bahá'ís are prohibited from exercising their right to respond to the accusations.

      Here in Brazil, the Bahá'ís take part in the construction of democracy and the development of their communities – activities recognized by the Brazilian Government and society. Here, they can practice their faith in freedom and safety, in consonance with the principles of the oneness of humankind, equality of race and gender, promotion of peace and service to humanity.

      How, then, can this difference in treatment be justified? Why is it that the Bahá'ís, in most parts of the world, are seen as persons of good will, committed to the advancement of society, without any involvement in partisan politics; while in Iran, where their Faith was born in the nineteenth century, they receive such a degrading treatment?

      It is the responsibility of governments to promote the common good, to defend the interests of their citizens and to stimulate human development with justice and dignity. We hope that the dialogue between both Presidents may stimulate reflection on the needs for new policies in Iran that would allow the followers of all religions, including the Bahá'ís, to contribute to the progress of their homeland.

Source: http://www.iranpresswatch.org/post/5327
Photo source here.