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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.
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BP000 122
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.
