On the 20th of June, Yemeni authorities detained six Baha’is (2 Yemeni nationals, 3 Iranians and an Iraqi) under suspicion of engaging in proselytizing. The Yemeni nationals were subsequently released, while the remaining faced the grave risk of deportation.

Yemen is a signatory of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which bans the deportation of individuals to countries where they are likely to be tortured. And for the three Iranian Baha’is (who fled to Yemen to escape the persecution), it is certain that torture is a very real threat

We contacted the lawyer and human rights activist Khaled Al-Anesi, who is representing the Baha’is, seeking updates regarding their case, and were sadly informed that they remain at risk. Yemeni authoroties have withheld their passports, and provided them with a short window of time to find another country to live in, or face deportation.

Although the District Attorney appeared responsive to pleas to return the passports to their owners, any action has yet to be taken.

Yemen has been home to the Iranian Baha’is for over 25 years, and all are respected members of their communities and successful owners of businesses. We call on Yemen to abide by international law and allow the Baha’is the freedom to purse the peaceful lives they led.