Aadel Collection

Statement of BIC on the Visit of Iranian President Ali Khamenei

          
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          BA HA' I Office of Public In [ on nation
          INTERNATIONAL 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120. New York. NY 0017
          COMM UNITY Telephone: 212-486-0560 lèlex: 666363 RICNY
          STATEMENT OF
          BAHA'I INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
          ON THE VISIT OF
          IRANIAN PRESIDENT ALl KHAMENEI
          22 SEPTEMBER 1987
          The Bah 'Is have faced intense persecution in Iran for the last nine
          years. Since the Government that President All Khamenei represents came to
          power, more than 200 have been killed, hundreds more imprisoned, tens of
          thousands deprived of their jobs, sources of income and education, and
          virtually all civil rights.
          As Bah 'Is, we deplore all wars. We lament the continuing conflict
          between Iran and Iraq, two.sister nations professing the same Faith.
          Nevertheless, Iranian Bahâ'Is, who have striven to be obedient to the
          Government, have served loyally when called upon by that Government.
          Yet the Government continues to oppress the Bahá'Is, depriving them of all
          civil rights. The Iranian Goverrunent is asking the world for justice, yet it
          refuses to treat the Bahá'Is of Iran — loyal citizens obedient to it — with
          justice. The Iranian Government claims to be a victim of aggression, yet it is
          victimizing its own citizens.
          Today, Mr. Khamenei has come to the United Nations to show, as one Iranian
          official told the New York Times, the “human face of Iran”.
          We wish to remind the world that the regime of which Mr. Khamenei is a
          member has been treating the Bah 'Is of Iran inhumanly, and is persistent in
          waging a campaign of systematic oppression against the approximately 300,000
          adherents of the Bahá'I Faith in Iran.
          — end —
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          BA HA' I Office of Public Information
          INTERNATIONAL 866 United Nations Plaz a, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017
          COI/4MUNITY Telephone: 212-486-0560 Telex: 666363 RICNY
          Persecution of the Bahâ'Is in Iran
          An Update
          September 1987
          Since 1979, members of the Bahá'I Faith have faced systematic and
          severe persecution in Iran. More than 200 Bah '1s have been executed, killed
          or have disappeared. Hundreds more have spent time in prison, often undergoing
          mental and physical torture. And tens of thousands have been deprived of jobs,
          property, education and other sources of livelihood. BahVI holy places have
          been confiscated and destroyed.
          This government—sponsored campaign against the Bah ' Faith has continued
          this year, despite repeated calls by the international community for an end to
          human rights violations against the BahS'Is in Iran.
          At least three Bah 'is were executed in 1987 and more than 200 are
          currently in prison. Tens of thousands continue to be deprived of jobs,
          sources of income and education, and virtually all civil rights. Wholesale
          seizures of Bahá'I—owned businesses and properties are relentless. As with
          persecutions in previous years, Bah '1s continue to be persecuted solely for
          their religious beliefs.
          It seems clear, however, that international condemnation of such actions
          by the United Nations and others has had a beneficial effect. The pace of
          persecutions has slowed during 1987 and some prisoners have been released.
          Yet there are numerous indications that the Iranian government still
          intends to eradicate the Bah '1 Faith in Iran. Muslims who attack Bah 'Is
          go unpunished, the courts having declared that Bahá'Is are essentially
          “non—persons” and deserving of no protection under the law. Governmental
          agencies appear to have stepped—up efforts to revoke or refuse business
          licenses to Bahá'js, and numerous Bahá'I—owned shops have recently been
          confiscated.
          Hence, the Bahá'I International Community remains convinced that
          continued United Nations pressure on the Iranian government will restrain the
          persistent effort to exterminate the Baha'i community in Iran.
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          Because the Bah '1s of Iran have no protection under the Iranian
          constitution or national legislation, the security and survival of the Bahá'
          community is wholly dependent on the pressure of international public opinion
          and the legal and moral support of the international community.
          Executions in 1987
          So far this year, three Bah '1s have been executed by the government in
          Iran. As with the majority of executions in Iran in the last nine years, few
          details are available and it is uncertain to what extent trials or legal
          proceedings were held. This much is known:
          • On January 26, Mr. Ahmad Kávih was executed in Isfahan. A merchant in
          his mid—fifties, Mr. Kavih had had spent two years in prison, much of that time
          in solitary confinement. He was often tortured.
          • On March 3, Mr. Surüsh JabbárI and Mr. Abu—l—Qâsim Sh 'iq were executed
          in Teheran. Their bodies were buried without the knowledge of their relatives
          and friends. Mr. Jabbâri, a 42—year—old engineer, had been in prison since
          September 15, 1984. Mr. Sh 'iq, 47 years old, had worked for the government
          until he was dismissed for being a Bahã'L
          At least seven Bah '1s were killed in 1986. They included three cases
          where the deaths occurred when Bahâ'Is, lacking any sort of protection or
          civil rights by the government, were killed or beaten to death by mobs.
          In one such incident, a 16—year—old boy, Bábak TálibI, was stoned to
          death in early October 1986 in the village of Vardavard near Teheran by a group
          of fanatics who had previously harassed Bah 'Is. Bábak's body was hanged to
          suggest suicide, but local police certified that his death was caused by
          injuries sustained in the stoning. After B bak's mother brought the murder to
          the attention of the authorities, they, instead of charging the culprits,
          arrested her, a son, and a cousin —— clear evidence that the government
          sanctions violence against Bah 'Is.
          There were similar attacks on Bahá'Is last summer, although they did
          not result in deaths. In July, it was learned that a number of Bahá'Is were
          beaten in the village of IlkhchI near TabrIz. In addition, their farms and
          possessions were burned and most of the Bah '1s in that village were forced
          to abandon their homes and seek shelter elsewhere.
          The Bahâ'I Infernational Community feels that the primary reason for
          the reduced pace of executions has been publicity and consequent international
          pressure. Executions hit a high in 1981, when at least 38 Bahá'Is were
          killed. The killings continued without abatement through 1983. That year, a
          widely—publicized mass execution of 10 Bah 'I women and girls occurred in
          June. Several of the victims were apparently condemned because they conducted
          classes for Bahâ'I children who had beenrefused admittance to school.
          Outrage at that execution was felt worldwide.
          The killings began to slow as the international community, especially
          through United Nations resolutions and increasing media coverage, began to make
          the Iranian regime understand that it could not act in isolation from world
          
        
          
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          opinion. Action by the U.N. General Assembly correlates, in particular, with a
          reduced rate of executions. The U.N. General Assembly expressed “deep concern”
          about the situation of the Bah 'Is in Iran in 1985 and 1986. In both years,
          the number of deaths dropped from double— to single—digit numbers. (See
          Appendix.)
          Arrests, Imprisonment and Torture
          The number of Bahá'Is held in prison reached 700 in 1985. Apparently in
          response to international pressure, however, about 500 Bahâ'is were released
          in mid—1986. Many of those, detained in mass arrests in mid—1983, had simply
          served their terms. Others were released arbitrarily after languishing in jail
          for long periods without trial.
          Yet, more than 200 Bahi'Is remain in Iranian jails at present. Each
          month, the Bahi'i International Community learns of more new arrests, and as
          often as not, of new releases. Since January, 48 Bahi'Is have been released
          from prison; another 43 were arrested and jailed. This new “revolving door”
          method of arbitrary arrest and release, coupled with the use of torture, seems
          calculated to keep the pressure on the Bahá'Is.
          In the past, BahVI prisoners have been beaten, tortured, and held
          incommunicado. In virtually every case, the authorities made clear that if the
          Bah 'Is agreed to recant their faith, they would be released.
          Calls for an end to such oppression have been rebuffed. In May, Amnesty
          International released a major report on the human rights situation in Iran.
          Numerous examples of summary arrest, detention with out trial, and torture were
          documented. The situation of the Bahá'Is was prominently mentioned.
          Econo iic and Social Intimidation
          While executions and physical torture get the most attention from
          governments and the media, a systematic and calculated campaign of economic and
          social Intimidation has had perhaps greatest impact on the 300,000 Bah 'is in
          Iran in the last nine years.
          Almost Immediately after the revolution, the Iranian government began to
          fire Bah '1s from jobs in education and government. More than 10,000
          Bahi'Is in government have lost their jobs since 1979. Government pensions
          were also cancelled.
          In a campaign that seems aimed squarely at destroying sources of income
          for all Bahá'is, the government has increasingly targetted Bahi'Is working
          in the private sector of late for such economic persecution. In numerous
          incidents this year, the business licenses of Bahg'I shopkeepers have been
          revoked or their shops have been confiscated. Bahá'I farmers have also been
          denied membership in cooperatives.
          In a letter dated July 5, 1987, for example, the Islamic Revolutionary
          Committee of Abb s—AMd, Tunuk bun, told a Bah 'I tailor that “because of
          your membership in the misguided Bah '1 sect, your business license is hereby
          revoked and declared null and void.”
          
        
          
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          Bah 'I youth continue to be systematically denied free access to
          education, apparently as part of the same strategy for eliminating the means by
          which Bah 'Is can hope to support themselves.
          Admission to universities and other institutions of higher education is
          still totally forbidden to Bahá'is. Bahâ'I children at the primary and
          secondary school levels are gradually being readmitted to school; however, they
          are subjected to constant pressure and indoctrination, and are threatened with
          being prevented from taking their examinations if they fail to “conform” (i.e.,
          renounce their religion.)
          Numerous properties owned by Bahá'I communities, including land and
          buildings that were considered holy, have also been confiscated in the nine
          years since the Iranian revolution. This official campaign against
          Bahá'i—owned properties has continued. Early this month, for example, it was
          announced in newspapers that the government was planning to build 3,000 houses
          on a large tract of land that had been set aside by the Bahá'Is for the
          building of their national temple.
          In some rural areas, Bahá'is have been driven out of their homes, farms
          and orchards, which have been forcibly occupied and then sold.
          The desecration and closure of Bahá'I cemeteries have also continued.
          In many cities, it has been made difficult for Bahá'Is to find land for
          burials.
          The right to leave Iran legally is still largely denied to Bahá'Is. In
          the past, it has been amply demonstrated that they would have to recant their
          faith in order to obtain a passport.
          Above all else, BahVIs are denied the right to openly practice their
          Faith. They may not meet as a community, they are not allowed places of
          worship, they may not teach their Faith to others or disseminate Bah 'I
          literature. All Bahá'I administrative institutions were disbanded in 1983,
          following an edict of the Attorney—General which declared such institutions
          illegal and made membership in them a criminal offense. All Bahá'I holy
          places and religious sites in Iran have been confiscated. The holiest Bah 'I
          shrine in Iran has been destroyed.
          Iranian Charges and Refutation
          Despite such incidents, the Iranian government has continued to deny that
          Bahá'Is are persecuted for their religious beliefs. It has claimed that they
          enjoy the same rights and protections that Iranian citizens of other religions
          receive. Any arrests of Bahá'Is, the Iranian government has asserted, have
          been based on charges that the Bahá'Is are agents of Israel and the United
          States, engaged in espionage and terrorism.
          Such claims and charges are patently false.
          
        
          
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          Numerous documents that have filtered out of Iran make it manifestly
          clear that Bah '1s are being persecuted solely because of their religious
          beliefs. In virtually every instance of persecution, whether threat of death,
          torture, prison or deprivation of livelihood, the Bahã'I concerned has been
          told that the persecution will immediately cease if he or she will renounce the
          Bah '1 Faith and convert to Islam.
          The teachings of the Bah 'I Faith pose no threat to the religious or
          secular leaders of Iran. Bahg'is are required by the teachings of their
          Faith to be obedient to the government and to avoid partisan political
          involvement. The Bah '1 Faith is an independent world religion; it does not
          align itself with any outside movement, ideology or government. It is
          non—violent in its operation and seeks only to unite all men and women in a
          spirit of universal peace.
          Yet, because of religious fanaticism and intolerance, the Shi'ih clergy
          of Iran have branded the Bahá'I Faith a heresy, and proclaimed that Bahá' s
          are “misguided” and “infidels.” The Muslim clergy appear unable to suffer the
          existence of the minority Faith, despite the humanitarian and peaceful
          principles espoused in its teachings.
          Last year, for example, documents surfaced regarding the court case of a
          Muslim who was accused of delivering a “premeditated blow” to a Bahá'I in
          Shiraz. Because the dead man was a Bahá'I, the court ruled, the Muslim could
          not be punished or fined in that such “infidels” are not protected under
          Islamic law. Through that ruling, by indicating that Muslims who kill
          Bah 'Is will face little or no prosecution, the government has in effect
          declared “open season” on Bah 'Is.
          Such rulings make it clear that the security and survival of 300,000
          Bah 'Is in Iran remain under constant threat. It is the hope of the Bahâ'I
          International Community that the voice of international public opinion will
          continue to make itself heard in protest.
          
        
          
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          Appendix
          Correlation of Bahâ'i killings and United Nations Action
          As the accompanying chart shows, the killings began to slow as the
          international community, particularly through United Nations resolutions and
          increasing media coverage, began to make the Iranian regime understand that it
          could not act in isolation of world opinion. Action by the General Assembly
          seems to correlate with the greatest reduction in the rate of killings.
          Year Bahá'ls Killed International Response
          1978 7 none
          1979 7 none
          1980 24 UN Sub—Commission on Prevention
          of Discrimination and Protection
          of Minorities expresses concern
          for Bahá'Is.
          1981 48 UN Commission on Human Rights
          requests the Secretary—
          General to report on situation
          of Bah 'Is.
          1982 32 UN Commission on Human Rights
          asks Secretary—General to
          continue effort to protect
          Bahá'Is. Concern expressed
          by Human Rights Committee.
          1983 28 UN Commission on Human Rights
          expresses profound concern
          on situation of Bah 'Is; asks
          SG to continue contacts.
          Sub—Commission. . .on Minorities
          asks special rapporteur to study
          situation of Bahá'ls.
          1984 30 UN Commission on Human Rights
          requests appointment of Special
          Representative to study
          situation; expresses great
          concern. Economic and Social
          Council endorses Commission's
          
        
          
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          action. Sub—Commission
          on Minorities expresses alarm
          at continuing human rights
          violations in Iran.
          1985 7 UN General Assembly
          expresses “deep concern”
          over human rights in Iran,
          including situation of
          Bah 'Is. Commission on
          Human Rights, its Special
          Representative, Sub—Commission
          on Minorities and ECOSOC
          all express continued concern.
          1986 7 UN General Assembly
          expresses “deep concern”
          over Iran human rights
          situation, again singling
          Out the Bahá'Is. Comm.
          on Human Rights and ECOSOC
          express continued concern.
          Total of Bahá'Is
          killed or executed: 193*
          Additional Bahá'Is
          who have “disappeared”: 15
          Total number of
          Bahá'Is presumed
          dead: 208
          * includes 3 in 1987.
          
        

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