Bahá'ís Can now get ID Cards     17 April 2009 - Following a series of court cases and a recent Egyptian Supreme Administrative Court ruling, a new decree from Egypt's Ministry of Interior allows individuals to put a dash under religious affilaition on ID card applications. The government's computerisation of ID cards had disallowed all religions except the three officially recognised ones - Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. This had meant that Baha'is could not get ID documents that are essential to everyday life.

Trial Postponed     17 August 2009 - The trial of the 7 Bahá'í leaders has been postponed to 18 October, following a request by attorneys from the Defenders of Human Rights Center.
New Trial Date But Lawyer in Jail     12 August 2009 - A writ of notification, dated 15 July, setting 9 am on 18 August as the new date for the trial of 7 Bahá'í leaders, was sent to Abdolfattah Soltani, a key member of the legal team representing the 7, who is currently held in Evin prison. Soltani is a human rights lawyer with the Tehran-based Defenders of Human Rights Center, founded by Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi. Diane Ala'i, the Bahá'í International Community's representative to the UN, said "The Iranian authorities know full well who is serving as legal counsel for the Bahá'ís. Indeed, authorities have several times tried to pressure the 7 to change lawyers. It is the height of absurdity to issue a trial notice to a lawyer who has himself been unjustly imprisoned." The trial is to be held in the same court that tried Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi.
Trial Reportedly Delayed     13 July 2009 - Officials have reportedly told families of the 7 imprisoned Bahá'í leaders that their trial has been delayed, though a new trial date was not given. In recent days calls for their release have come from Amnesty International, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and the EU Parliament's Delegation for Iran.
Trial Date for Accused Bahá'í Leaders?     24 June 2009 - Prison authorities have informed the families of the 7 Bahá'í leaders that they will be tried on Saturday 11th July. The information was only given orally, and such information has proved unreliable in the past. These leaders have been held in Evin prison for over a year without being charged or having access to lawyers.
Australian Canada, EU Call for Release of Bahá'ís     27 May 2009 - A 25 May motion of the Australian House of Representatives expresses serious concern about the detained Bahá'ís and about the charges against them. Parliamentarian Luke Simpkins said "the cause of justice in Iran has only gone backwards in the last few months," and "It is my firm view that all these charges have no validity and remain inconsistent with the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith. On 14 May the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs said his government "calls upon the Iranian authorities to immediately release the seven Bahá'í leaders and to cease the harassment of members of the Bahá'í Faith." A 25 May statement from the EU Presidency expresses "deep concern about the increasing violation of religious freedom in Iran," and it names 5 Christians, 7 Bahá'ís, and 1 Shiite. Concerning the Bahá'ís, it says "evidence suggests that the persecution deliberately aims to suppress Bahá'í religious identity and legitimate community activities."
New Accusations After One Year in Prison     12 May 2009 - The seven Baha'i leaders arrested and jailed a year ago have not been formally charged or had access to their lawyer. Not until 7 months after their arrest was there any indication of a charge - in the Iranian Student News Agency: 'espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic.' Their families have recently been told of a possible new charge - 'the spreading of corruption on earth' - which carries the threat of death.
Canadian Parliament Condemns Persecution of Bahá'ís     2 April 2009 - On 30 March a strongly worded motion was adopted unanimously by Canada's House of Commons, condemning the persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran and calling on Iran's government to release the imprisoned Bahá'í leaders.
Bahá'ís Send Open Letter to Iran's Prosecutor General     6 March 2009 - Following allegations about the Bahá'ís made by prosecutor general Ayatollah Najafabadi in the Iranian press, the Bahá'í International Community has sent him an open letter. The letter outlines the history of persecution of Bahá'ís In Iran, explains their innocence, and asks for fairness in the upcoming trial of 7 Bahá'í prisoners.
EU Expresses Deep Concern Over 7 Bahá'ís On Trial     18 Febraury 2009 - Yesterday the EU issued a statement expressing its "deep concern" over Iran's plans to try 7 imprisoned Bahá'í leaders for espionage and other charges, saying it was concerned that, "after being held for so long without due process, the Bahá'í leaders may not receive a fair trial. The EU therefore requests the Islamic Republic of Iran to allow independent observation of the judicial proceedings and to reconsider the charges brought against these individuals." There has been increasing anti-Bahá'í rhetoric from Iranian officials, who said a trial for the seven might come within a week. The 7 have been in prison for over 8 months, no formal evidence has been brought, and they have been denied access to their legal counsel. Another 30 Bahá'ís are in prison, while 80 others have been released on collateral.
Concerned Iranians issue Letter of Support for Bahá'ís.     15 Febraury 2009 - A worldwide group of 243 Iranian intellectuals, scholars, writers, journalists, activists, and artists have signed an open letter that apologised "for the wrongs committed against the Bahá'í community of Iran" over the last century and a half, for their silence during these persecutions, and rejecting the milieu of intimidation. The Bahá'í International Community has expressed gratitude to the group, saying the letter "brought a degree of solace and relief to the pain that your Bahá'í fellow citizens endure."
International Condemnation for Pending Trail     15 Febraury 2009 - News of an impending trial of 7 Bahá'ís has brought criticism, condemnation and expressions of concern from the US State Department, Amnesty International, Canadian MP Irwin Cotler, German Bundestag member Peter Ramsauer, The US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and other organisations.
Profiles of the Arrested Seven     12 February 2009 - The 7 arrested in March and May were members of a body known as the "Friends in Iran", that coordinated the Iranian Bahá'í community. This body was formed with the full knowledge of the government, and often had dealings with it. These profiles show that each was dedicated to serving the Bahá'í community.
Destruction of Graves at Khavaran Cemetery     30 January 2009 - Earlier this month, Iranian authorities destroyed an area of Khavaran cemetery where many executed following the 1979 revolution are buried, including a number of Bahá'ís. This has been deplored by human rights groups and by the Bahá'ís.
6 Bahá'ís arrested in Iran     15 January 2009 - At least 6 Bahá'ís were arrested in Iran yesterday in raids by government security agents on at least 11 Bahá'í homes. One was released, but some reports indicate more than 6 arrests. The agents also confiscated Bahá'í books and items such as computers and photographs. One Bahá'í had worked for human rights organisations founded by Nobel prize winner Shirin Ebadi, before the government shut them down in December. In December, the Bahá'í International Community condemned the closing of Mrs. Ebadi's Defenders of Human Rights Center in Tehran and called for its reopening. (See here.)
UN General Assembly Resolution: "Deep Concern" about Human Rights in Iran     18 December 2008 - Today's resolution criticized Iran's use of torture, the high incidence of executions, the "violent repression" of women, and "increasing discrimination" against Bahá'ís, Christians, Jews, Sufis, Sunni Muslims, and other minorities.
Iranian Report Confirms Shiraz Bahá'ís Innocent     24 October 2008 - A confidential report by an Iranian offical confirms the innocence of 54 Bahá'ís who were arrested in May 2006, due to their humanitarian project, to promote literacy and moral empowerment among underprivileged youth. Three are serving 4-year jail sentences, and the rest received suspended sentences and "courses". The report was written by an inspector and legal advisor of the Office of the Representative of the Supreme Leader for the province of Fars, and published yesterday by Human Rights Activists of Iran.
UN Report on Human Rights in Iran     22 October 2008 - UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has surveyed a range of human rights violations in Iran, in a 20 page report that includes 1 page on violations against Iran's 300 000 Bahá'ís.
[ UN Secretary General's Report, 1 October 2008 (UN document symbol A/63/459). ]
University Exclusion Continues     3 October 2008 - Once again this year, Bahá'ís are being blocked from entering university. Bahá'í applicants find their entrance exam results frozen, or their files listed as "incomplete".
BIC Rejects Allegations against Bahá'ís     3 August 2008 - The Bahá'í International Community has categorically rejected allegations of subversive activities against the seven Bahá'í leaders recently arrested. An Iranian prosecutor stated that 7 Bahá'ís detained in Tehran had "confessed" to operating an "illegal" organization. The BIC's Bani Dugal said the Iranian government was well aware of the existence and activities of a 7-person committee that helped attend to the needs of Iran's 300,000 Bahá'ís. She re-iterated that their only "crime" is the practice of their religion, and that she fears for their lives.
Arsonists Target Bahá'ís     28 July 2008 - At least a dozen arson attacks against homes & vehicles of Bahá'ís have occurred in the past 15 months, sometimes preceded by threatening phone calls. Authorities often don't follow up.
6 Nobel Peace Laureates Call for Release of Bahá'ís     30 June 2008 - 6 Peace Prize winners have issued a statement calling for the immediate release of 7 prominent Iranian Bahá'ís being held without charge in Evin Prison. The signatories are Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan Maguire (1976), Rigoberta Menchu Tum (1992), Professor Jody Williams (1997), Dr. Shirin Ebadi (2003), Prof Wangari Muta Maathai (2004), who formed the Nobel Women's Initiative in 2006.
One phone call allowed     19 June 2008 - The 7 recently arrested Bahá'í leaders have each been allowed to phone their families. No charges have been filed against any of them. About 15 other Bahá'ís are currently detained in Iran, some incommunicado and most without formal charges.
Concern for Fate of 6 Arrested     27 May 2008 - The 6 Bahá'í leaders arrested nearly 2 weeks ago are being held incommunicado, without access to lawyers or relatives, and the Bahá'í International Community is increasingly concerned about their fate. It is not even known if they have been before a judge or whether they have been formally charged, and enquiries have been met with evasion and conflicting stories from government. "We appeal to the international community, human rights groups, and people of conscience, as well as the news media, to continue their efforts to press the Iranian government so that the rights of these people as detainees be upheld and that they be allowed access to counsel and general communication with the outside - as a minimum step," said Ms. Dugal.
Allegations Against 6 Arrested Bahá'ís Baseless     21 May 2008 - Allegations made in a press conference by an Iranian government spokesman that the 6 Bahá'ís were arrested last week "for security reasons and not for their faith" are utterly baseless and without documentation, according to the Bahá'í International Community's Bani Dugal. She said the best proof that Bahá'ís are persecuted solely because of their religious beliefs is that, time and again, Bahá'ís have been offered their freedom if they recant their beliefs and convert to Islam - an option few have taken. "Far from being a threat to state security, the Bahá'í community of Iran has great love for their country and they are deeply committed to its development."
6 Bahá'í leaders arrested in Iran     15 May 2008 - In a move ominously similar to the episodes of rounding up and killing of Bahá'í leaders in the 1980s, 6 Bahá'í leaders were arrested and their homes searched by government intelligence agents early yesterday morning. The 6 men and women are all members of the national-level coordinating group that helps see to the minimum needs of Bahá'ís in Iran. The 7th member was arrested in early March after being summoned by the Ministry of Intelligence office on an ostensibly trivial matter. Said Bani Dugal, principal Bahá'í representative to the UN, "We protest in the strongest terms the arrests of our fellow Bahá'ís in Iran. Their only crime is their practice of the Bahá'í Faith." Since 1979, more than 200 Bahá'ís have been killed or executed in Iran, although none have been executed since 1998.
Draft Iranian Law Threatens Gross Human Rights Violations     22 February 2008 - Legislation currently before the Iranian parliament would seriously violate the human rights of many communities. Of greatest concern is a section that would mandate the death penalty for anyone who converts from Islam to another religion, or anyone with one Muslim parent who isn't a Muslim. The law would criminalise things like 'insulting the Prophet', 'offending the sacred', and 'corruption and mischief on the earth'. Since the terms are not defined, it would give the authorities free reign to act against anyone they disapprove of. "This proposed law goes against all human rights norms and standards, including international treaties that Iran itself has agreed to," said Bani Dugal, Bahá'í representative to the UN. "It is important for the international community to speak out, now, before it is too late and the draft code becomes Iran's law of the land."
Prison for Bahá'ís Helping Underprivilged Youth     6 February 2008 - Two years ago 53 Bahá'ís involved in a community service project in Shiraz were arrested. This past November, 3 of them were re-arrested and imprisoned for 4 years, the rest have been given suspended 1 year sentences, conditional on their attending courses run by the state's Islamic Propaganda Organization. A charge of anti-regime propaganda came several days after the US State Department and Amnesty International expressed concern over the summary imprisonment of 3 Bahá'ís in November. Diane Ala'i, the Bahá'í International Community's representative to the United Nations in Geneva, said "While teaching the Bahá'í Faith cannot be considered a crime of any sort, given that freedom of religion is protected by international law, the fact is that the Bahá'ís who were arrested almost two years ago in Shiraz were not working to spread Bahá'í teachings --- rather they had initiated and were participating in a number of literacy and youth empowerment projects in various locations in and near Shiraz. Moreover, the group had introduced the projects to the Islamic Council of the city of Shiraz in 2005 and had subsequently received a letter from the Cultural Commission granting permission to continue their activities."
'Incomplete File' --- Latest University Exclusion Tactic     31 January 2008 - Halaku Rahmaniyan placed 76th out of more than a million on Iran's university entrance exams, and should have been accepted at many places. When he phoned the exam adminstrators, they were puzzled that he'd heard nothing, till it came out he was a Bahá'í, and the official hung up. Later he received a letter which read "owing to you having an incomplete file, issuance of a certificate of ranking is not possible". The same reason has been given to almost 800 out of 1000 or so Bahá'í students who sat the exam.
AI & US State Department Call for Release of Bahá'í Prisoners     29 January 2008 - On 23 January the US State Department called on Iran "to release all individuals held without due process and a fair trial, including the three young Bahá'í teachers" held in Shiraz. On 25 January, AI issued an appeal calling for human rights activists around the world to write directly to Iranian government officials on behalf of the Bahá'í prisoners, asking why they have been detained and calling on authorities not to ill-treat or torture them.
[ 25/01/2008 AI Appeal about 3 Bahá'í prisoners ] [ AI Page on Iran ]
UN General Assembly Adopts Human Rights Resolution     19 December 2007 - The UN General Assembly yesterday adopted a resolution confirming the 20 November UN committee resolution.
UN Committee Passes Human Rights Resolution     20 November 2007 - A UN Committee approved a resolution today expressing "deep concern" about "ongoing systematic violations of human rights" in Iran. It took note of repression and persecution aimed by the Iranian government at groups ranging from women and women's rights defenders to the news media and labor groups, as well as various ethnic and religious minorities, including Iranian Bahá'ís and mentioned "confirmed instances" of torture, public executions, stoning, amputations, etc. The resolution passed by 72 to 50 with 55 abstentions, and makes ratification by the General Assembly very likely. This followed a call by Iran for "no action" on the motion that failed by 78 to 79, with 24 abstentions.
New Facets to Government anti-Bahá'í Campaign     21 September 2007 - A Bahá'í cemetery of more than 100 graves was destroyed using heavy equipment between 9 & 10 September near Najafabad, a repeat of what happened in Yazd in July. A few days before the destruction, threatening letters were delivered to some 30 Najafabad Bahá'í families. In May, in Mazandaran province, the unoccupied homes of six Iranian Bahá'ís were set on fire. In June, in Abadeh, vandals wrote hateful graffiti on Bahá'í houses and shops. Since May, Bahá'ís in at least 17 towns have been detained for interrogation, and six new arrests have been reported. In Kermanshah, a 70-year-old man was sentenced to 70 lashes and a year in prison for "propagating and spreading Bahaism and the defamation of the pure Imams." In Mazandaran, a court once again ruled against three women and a man charged with "propagation on behalf of an organization which is anti-Islamic."
Diane Ala'i, a Bahá'í representative to the UN, said "Put in a historical context, these kinds of attacks too often have been a prelude to campaigns of oppression and violence that are far worse." She appealed to the world to hold the Iranian government accountable for its actions and to help prevent the situation from deteriorating into further violence
Confidential Government Memo on Expelling Bahá'ís from University     27 August 2007 - A confidential letter from Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, that instructs universities to expel any student who is discovered to be a Bahá'í, has come to light. The 2006 letter was issued by director general Asghar Zarei and stamped "confidential." Other documents confirm the policy is being promulgated.
Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the United Nations, said this latest document "proves unequivocally that Iranian authorities remain intent on utterly blocking the development of Iranian Bahá'ís, despite what they say to the outside world. Along with other recently received reports and documents, the letter exposes a duplicitous campaign by Iran to pretend that it does not violate the internationally recognized right to education while, in fact, the government is actually continuing to implement its secret, long-term plan to prevent Bahá'í students from obtaining a university education." She added that Bahá'ís and other victims of injustice in Iran need international defense.
As of March 2007, more than 128 Bahá'í students have been expelled, out of approximately 200 who were enrolled last autumn, after more than 25 years of complete exclusion.
[ English Translation of the 2006 Confidential Memo ] [ Photo of the 2006 Confidential Memo ]
[ 17/03/2007 Letter from MSRT to Payame Noor University about preventing enrollment of the Bahá'ís ]
[ 18/05/2007 Letter from Guilan University re discharge of a Bahá'í student ]
[ 27/05/2007 Letter from Guilan University notifying the same student she has been "disqualified", as required by 1991 Golpaygani memo. ]
Bahá'ís Shut Out of Vocational Education     31 July 2007 - The application form for the entrance exam to Iran's technical and vocational institutes requires religion to be given as Zoroastrian, Jewish, or Christian, and if no box is marked, the form says the applicant will be considered Muslim. Bahá'ís do not deny their faith, and so cannot apply. This is very similar to the process applied to university entrance a few years ago. In that case an international protest resulted in the removal of religious affiliation from the form, and in 2006 around 200 Bahá'ís gained university entrance, but since then at least 128 have been expelled. Observers have concluded that the apparent changes were merely a ruse intended to quell international protest.
Attacks on Bahá'ís, from Elderly to Children, Continue Unabated     7 June 2007 - Developments in the last 6 months paint an ominous picture of increasing persecution. According to Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the United Nations, "The considered view is that these recent incidents are being provoked and often methodically planned by the Information Ministry, in order to create fear, make the Bahá'ís physically vulnerable, and instill in them social and occupational insecurity." In mid February, two elderly Bahá'í women were brutally murdered while alone in their homes (in different towns) by unknown assailants. While the motives are not clear, this is very alarming.
[ Summary of November 2006 - May 2007 ]
Bahá'í Schoolchildren Increasingly Harassed     5 April 2007 - Primary and secondary school children who are Bahá'ís are being harassed, vilified, degraded, and, in at least one case, blindfolded and beaten. 150 incidents in at leat 10 cities were reported in the 30 days between mid January and mid February. Children are being forced to identify their religion, pressured to convert to Islam, threatened with expulsion, and, in some cases, summarily dismissed from school. The age of the victims ranges from 6 - 17. A high proportion of attacks against high school students have been against girls (68 out of 76).
University Memorandum Reveals Government Expulsion Policy     7 March 2007 - The Bahá'í International Community has obtained a copy of a confidential Payame Noor University memorandum which states that it is government policy that Bahá'ís "cannot enroll" in Iranian universities and that if already enrolled, "they should be expelled." This contradicts official denials. When asked about the high percentage of expelled students, a spokesperson for the Iranian mission to the UN replied that no one in Iran has been expelled from studying because of their religion.
[ The University Memorandum in English ]     [ The University Memorandum in Farsi ]
Bahá'ís Admitted to University then Expelled     28 February 2007 - Last fall 178 Bahá'í students were admitted to Iranian Universities, but by mid February, at least 70 had been expelled. One student was told the university had received a circular from the National Educational Measurement and Evaluation Organization, stating that while it would not prevent Bahá'ís from enrolling, they were to be later expelled.
`New Cycle of Persecution' - Iran Human Rights Report     24 January 2007 - A new report by the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, "A Faith Denied: The Persecution of the Bahá'ís of Iran", expresses concern about trends in Iran, including the "return of populist conservative politicians," "growing tensions between the Islamic Republic and the international community over Iran's nuclear program," the blatant collection of intelligence on Bahá'ís, and increased anti-Bahá'í articles in the news media. Concerning the Bahá'ís, it says "Given the Islamic Republic's history of implacable hostility towards the Bahá'ís, ... the IHRDC is greatly concerned that the Bahá'í community in Iran may soon face another cycle of repression and violence."
[ Iran Human Rights Documentation Center ]
UN General Assembly Passes Resolution on Human Rights in Iran     20 Decmber 2006 - The UN General Assembly yesterday passed the resolution expressing serious concern over the human rights situation in Iran, that was adopted by one of its committees in November.
UN Concern over Human Rights in Iran Including Bahá'ís     22 November 2006 - The UN General Assembly Committee that considers human rights issues yesterday passed a resolution expressing "serious concern" over the human rights situation in Iran, including the escalation of violations against Iranian Bahá'ís, and calling on Iran to "eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of discrimination based on religious, ethnic or linguistic grounds, and other human rights violations against persons belonging to minorities, including Arabs, Azeris, Bahá'ís, Baluchis, Kurds, Christians, Jews, Sufis, and Sunni Muslims." At present more than 129 Bahá'ís are awaiting trial on false charges, targeted solely because of their religion.
Iran Steps Up Secret Monitoring of Bahá'ís     2 November 2006 - A letter from Iran's Ministry of Interior to provincial deputies countrywide, dated 19 August, requested provincial officials to complete a detailed questionnaire about the circumstances and activities of local Bahá'ís, including their "financial status," "social interactions," and "association with foreign assemblies," and "cautiously and sensitively monitor and supervise" all Bahá'í social activities.
Genocide Prevention Advisor Expresses Concern for Iranian Bahá'ís     29 September 2006 - Romeo Dallaire, Canadian Senator, retired General, and member of the UN Advisory Committee on Genocide Prevention, has issued a statement saying "This inventorying and targeting of citizens, based on their religious beliefs or racial heritage, is the first ugly step toward systematic violence and crimes against humanity," and "My experience in Rwanda and with other conflicts tells me that the world had better pay close attention whenever a country's media begin to spread hate propaganda against one particular group." General Dallaire commanded the UN peacekeeping mission to Rwanda at the height of the genocide there, and wrote the book "Shake Hands with the Devil" about his experiences.
[ Report on Religious Freedom in Iran, US State Department, 15 Sept 2006 ]
Secret Letter Ordering "Monitoring" of Bahá'ís     24 August 2006 - Amnesty International has made available the text of this 29 October 2005 letter signed by the Chairman of Command Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, which instructs commanders of various state intelligence services, police units, and the Revolutionary Guard to "identify" and "monitor" Bahá'ís. A copy of a 2 May 2006 letter recently obtained by the Bahá'í International Community Evidence (Bahá'í representation at the UN) is evidence this monitoring is happening.
[ Text of 29 October 2005 letter in English ]     [ Facsimile of 29 October 2005 letter in Persian ]
[ Text of 2 May 2006 letter in English ]     [ Facsimile of 2 May 2006 letter in Persian ]
A policy of Property Confiscation     2 July 2006 - According to a new report by UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Miloon Kothari, at least 640 Bahá'í properties have been seized since 1980. He continues to receive such reports. Arresting without charge and demanding very high bail is another method of expropriating property. [ Report of the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing as a Component of the Right to an Adequate Standard of Living, Miloon Kothari: Addendum: Mission to the Islamic Republic of Iran (19-31 July 2005). Date: 21 March 2006. UN document symbol: E/CN.4/2006/41/Add.2  ]
Pattern of Arrest and Release Continues in Iran     27 June 2006 - This new form of harassment is on the increase. Across Iran, 130 Bahá'ís have been arrested, and then bail or collateral has been demanded for their release, but they are not charged or given trial dates, so the authorities hold their assets indefinitely. The last 3 of the 54 arrested in May were released on 14th June. Currently 2 Bahá'ís are in prison.
51 out of 54 Arrested Bahá'ís Released     26 May 2006 - Of 54 Bahá'ís arrested in May, none have been formally charged, 14 released on 24 May and 36 on 25th May, 3 remain in jail. All those realeased had to post some kind of bail.
54 Bahá'ís Arrested in Iran     24 May 2006 - Community service volunteers arrested while teaching classes to underprivileged children; only Bahá'ís not released. 6 Bahá'í homes raided. Arbitrary arrests of Bahá'ís increasing. (Minor correction here).
White House Spokesman Expresses President's Concern over Worsening Situation of the Bahá'ís in Iran     29 March 2006 - At a press briefing Scott McClellan voiced concern that government persecution of the Bahá'ís in Iran is intensifying, and called on the Iranian regime to respect the religious freedom of all of its citizens.
UN Religious Freedom Official Expresses Fears for Bahá'ís in Iran     20 March 2006 - UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion expresses concern about a confidential letter (29/10/2005) instructing Iranian authorities to identify and monitor Bahá'ís. Iranian media attacks on the Bahá'í Faith have intensified.
[ UN resolution 7 March 2006 (UN document symbol A/RES/60/171);   ]
Wrongly Imprisoned Bahá'í Dies in Iranian Jail     19 December 2005 - Mr. Dhabihu'llah Mahrami dies after 10 years in jail. There were 8 new arrests in 2005.
UN Calls on Iran to Stop Persecution of Bahá'ís     16 December 2005 - for 18th time since 1985, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution expressing "serious concern" over the human rights situation in Iran, making specific mention of the ongoing persecution of Bahá'ís.
[ UN resolution, 19 December 2005 (UN document symbol A/RES/61/176, not available on UN website, but see draft below);  
UN draft resolution, 2 November 2005 (UN document symbol A/C.3/60/L.45);  
UN resolution, 11 March 2005 (UN document symbol A/RES/59/205);  
UN resolution, 11 March 2004 (UN document symbol A/RES/58/195);  
UN resolution, 26 February 2002 (UN document symbol A/RES/56/171);  
UN resolution, 12 March 2001 (UN document symbol A/RES/55/114);  
UN resolution, 24 Feb 2000 (UN document symbol A/RES/54/177);  
UN document centre (incomplete or not very up to date or hard to navigate);  
Search the UN for a list of resolutions relating to "Baha'i";  
Search the UN Bibliographic Info System (UNBISnet). ]
New Ploy by Iranian Government to Deprive Bahá'ís of Higher Education     11 August 2004 - apparent promise that Bahá'ís could now attend university turns out to be an attempt to obtain indirect denials of faith.
Bahá'í Holy Site Destroyed in Iran     22 April 2004 - grave of outstanding early believer razed.