In an unprecedented move, Iranian intellectuals, writers and activists have signed an open letter in which they apologize for the century and a half of silence on the persecution of Iranian Baha’is.

In the name of goodness and beauty, and in the name of humanity and liberty!

As Iranian human beings, we are ashamed for what has been perpetrated upon the Baha’is in the last century and a half in Iran.

We firmly believe that every Iranian, “without distinction of any kind, such as, race, color, sex, language, religion, politics or other opinions,” and also without regard to ethnic background, “social origin, property, birth or other status,” is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, from the very inception of the Baha’i Faith, the followers of this religion in Iran have been deprived of many provisions of human rights solely on account of their religious convictions.

According to historical documents and evidence, from the commencement of the Babi Movement followed by the appearance of the Baha’i Faith, thousands of our countrymen have been slain by the sword of bigotry and superstition only for their religious beliefs. Just in the first decades of its establishment, some twenty thousand of those who stood identified with this faith community were savagely killed throughout various regions of Iran.

We are ashamed that during that period, no voice of protest against these barbaric murders was registered;

We are ashamed that until today the voice of protest against this heinous crime has been infrequent and muted;

We are ashamed that in addition to the intense suppression of Baha’is during its formative decades, the last century also witnessed periodic episodes of persecution of this group of our countrymen, in which their homes and businesses were set on fire, and their lives, property and families were subjected to brutal persecution – but all the while, the intellectual community of Iran remained silent;

We are ashamed that during the last thirty years, the killing of Baha’is solely on the basis of their religious beliefs has gained legal status and over two-hundred Baha’is have been slain on this account;

We are ashamed that a group of intellectuals have justified coercion against the Baha’i community of Iran;

We are ashamed of our silence that after many decades of service to Iran, Baha’i retired persons have been deprived of their right to a pension;

We are ashamed of our silence that on the account of their fidelity to their religion and truthfulness in stating this conviction, thousands of Baha’i youth have been barred from education in universities and other institutions of higher learning in Iran;

We are ashamed that because of their parents’ religious beliefs, Baha’i children are subjected to denigration in schools and in public.

We are ashamed of our silence over this painful reality that in our nation, Baha’is are systematically oppressed and maligned, a number of them are incarcerated because of their religious convictions, their homes and places of business are attacked and destroyed, and periodically their burial places are desecrated;

We are ashamed of our silence when confronted with the long, dark and atrocious record that our laws and legal system have marginalized and deprived Baha’is of their rights, and the injustice and harassment of both official and unofficial organs of the government towards this group of our countrymen;

We are ashamed for all these transgressions and injustices, and we are ashamed for our silence over these deeds.

We, the undersigned, asked you, the Baha’is, to forgive us for the wrongs committed against the Baha’i community of Iran.

We will no longer be silent when injustice is visited upon you.

We stand by you in achieving all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights.

Let us join hands in replacing hatred and ignorance with love and tolerance.

February 3, 2009

1. Abdolalian, Morteza, Journalist, CJFE Board of Directors – Canada, Oakville
2. Abghari, Shahla, Professor, Life University – USA, Atlanta
3. Abghari, Siavash, Professor, University of Georgia – USA, Atlanta
4. Ahmadi, Ramin, Professor, Yale University – USA, Yale
5. Almasi, Nasrin, Managing editor of Shahrvand- Canada, Toronto
6. Bagherpour, Khosro, Poet /Journalist – Germany
7. Baradaran, Monireh, Writer/Human rights activist – Germany
8. Beyzaie, Niloofar, Play writer/Theatre Director – Germany, Frankfurt
9. Boroumand, Ladan, Researcher, Boroumand Foundation – USA, Washington, DC
10. Boroumand, Roya, Executive Director, Boroumand Foundation – USA, Washington, DC
11. Choubine, Bahram, Researcher/Writer – Germany, Köln
12. Daneshvar, Hamid, Actor/Theatre Director – France, Paris
13. Darvishpour, Mehrdad, Professor, Stockholm University – Sweden, Stockholm
14. Djalali Chimeh, Mohammad (M.sahar), Poet – France, Paris
15. Djanati Atai, Behi, Actor/ Writer/Theatre Director – France, Paris
16. Ebrahimi, Hadi, Editor-in-chief of Shahrgon, Canada, Vancouver
17. Fani Yazdi, Reza, Political analyst – USA
18. Farhoudi, Vida, Poet/Translator- France, Paris
19. Forouhar, Parastoo, Artist/Human rights activist – Germany, Frankfurt
20. Ghaemi, Hadi Coordinator Int. Campaign for HR in Iran – USA
21. Ghahraman, Saghi, Poet /Journalist – Canada, Toronto
22. Ghahraman, Sasan, Publisher/Writer/Journalist – Canada, Toronto
23. Javid, Jahanshah, Publisher, Iranian.com – Mexico, Chihuahua
24. Kakhsaz, Naser, Political analyst – Germany, Bochum
25. Kalbasi, Sheema, Poet – USA, Washington
26. Kassraei, Farhang, Writer/Actor – Germany, Wiesbaden
27. Khorsandi, Hadi, Satirist – Great Britain, London
28. Mahbaz, Efat, Women rights activist /Journalist– UK, London
29. Malakooty, Sirus, Classical Guitar Player/ Composer/ Lecturer – UK, London
30. Moshkin, Ghalam Shahrokh, Actor/Dancer – France, Paris
31. Mossaed, Jila, Poet/Writer – Sweden, Göteborg.
32. Mossallanejad, Ezat, Writer/Human right Activist, CCVT – Canada, Toronto
33. Parsa Soheil, Theatre Director – Canada Toronto
34. Sahimi, Muhammad Professor, University of Southern California – USA
35. Shafigh, Shahla, Writer/Researcher – France, Paris
36. Shemiranie, Khosro, Journalist – Canada, Montreal
37. Sheyda, Behrooz, Literary Critic/Theorist- Sweden, Stockholm
38. Taghipoor, Masoomeh, Actor/Theatre Director – Sweden, Göteborg.
39. Tahavori, Mohammad, Journalist, USA, MA Cambridge
40. Vahdati, Soheila, Human Rights Activist – USA, California
41. Zahedi, Mitra, Theatre Director – Germany, Berlin
42. Zerehi, Hassan, Editor-in-chief of Shahrvand, Canada, Toronto

To join the signaturees please contact the following emails.

niloofarbeyzaie(at)gmx(dot)at

shemiranie(at)yhaoo(d0t)com

In a famous quote by Margaret Mead, she said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Those whose interests lie in maintaining the status quo and perpetuating injustice should be aware that their days are numbered. Be an agent of change; add your name to the open letter.