Iran’s persecution of Bahá’ís is devastating

Nazila Ghanea – lecturer in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford and Editor-in-Chief of the journal of Religion and Human Rights – wrote the following article for the Telegraph. Her previous article (“Seven friends face revolutionary court”), which appeared in the Guardian’s ‘Comment is Free’ can be read here.

What connects an academic, a blogger, a Nobel prize winner, a postgraduate researcher, a cyber feminist, a journalist and a woman who let her head covering slip? The answer? They have all had their freedom to express themselves violated. They have all been imprisoned, flogged and fined in Iran.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Today, Iran severely restricts such freedom. Human Rights Watch, the UN Secretary General and numerous others have recently observed an escalation in attempts to silence Iranians who have something to say.

But now a new embargo on freedom of expression has formally been announced. Iran’s Prosecutor General, Ayatollah Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi, has declared that the very expression of affiliation to the Bahá’í faith is illegal. This was communicated in a letter to the Minister of Intelligence, Ghulam-Husayn Ejeyee, who needs no encouragement to violate rights. Human Rights Watch named him one of Iran’s ‘Ministers of Murder’ four years ago.

According to the Prosecutor General , everyone is free to have his own belief and faith. “However, no expression or declaration in order to disparage the thought of others, nor any attempt to teach them resulting in deception and agitation of minds is permitted.”

He goes on to determine that “the administration of the wayward Baha’i sect at all levels is illegal and forbidden … their danger to national security is documented and well-established.”

A few days later, the Prosecutor General made the rather fantastic claim that Bahá’ís in Iran are provided with all facilities afforded other Iranian citizens, and are respected as human beings, “but not as insiders, spies, or a political grouplet supported by Britain and Israel to cause disturbance in Iran”. Much kindness had always been shown Bahá’í citizens of Iran, he asserted, but there was “opposition to the relations of many of them with the enemies of the Iranian nation and particularly with Israel.”

The spurious nature of such assertions are obvious to anyone with the most basic knowledge of the Bahá’í faith, the persecution it has faced in Iran on religious grounds for more than a century, and the historical events which led to its Prophet being banished in 1868 to a remote corner of the Ottoman empire, which now happens to sit within the borders of modern-day Israel.

The broader implication of the Prosecutor General’s statement, however, is that it is possible to legally separate out a (generous) respect of religion or belief from its (dangerous) expression or declaration. This is apparently on the grounds that such expression would disparage, deceive and agitate others, destroying the “edifice of the Iranian belief system” and threatening “national well-being and welfare”.

What we are being told, therefore, is that the Iranian belief system is unitary and very vulnerable to the free expression of some bloggers, some morally loose women and some journalists – but not all Bahá’ís, all 300,000 of them that make up Iran’s largest non-Muslim religious minority.

Human Rights instruments depart from this perspective. How is it possible to single out one religious community and deny it any expression of its values? How can full religious freedom go hand in hand with the criminalisation of any expression or activity – personal or public – that may flow from it? UN standards recognise freedom of thought, conscience and religion as being far-reaching and profound; they encompass freedom of thought on all matters, personal conviction and the commitment to religion or belief, whether manifested individually or in community with others. The fact that the protection of religion or belief necessarily includes the protection of its expression is beyond dispute.

That said, it is the individual’s having, adopting or changing a religion or belief that is absolute. Manifestation can be limited when prescribed by law and necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

The Prosecutor General claims that all religious expression by Bahá’ís – regardless of what form it takes, what medium it uses and whether it is expressed in worship, observance, practice or teaching – is dangerous and therefore illegal. He does not demonstrate exactly what need this outright criminalisation serves, nor does he convince us why it is necessary and proportionate. The UN states that any limitations placed on this right “should not involve discriminatory purposes or be applied in a discriminatory manner”. It would be hard in this case to claim it is otherwise. It would also be hard to not be alarmed at this development, considering UN evidence that the Iranian government instructed all of its agencies back in October 2005 to identify and monitor the activities of every single Bahá’í in Iran.

If Iran imagines that the singling out of a religious minority for criminalisation – whilst asserting a policy of kindness and respect towards it – can possibly be believable, then why was its most recent report to the UN Human Rights Committee submitted more than 17 years ago? Perhaps the Prosecutor General has forgotten that on that occasion the Human Rights Committee criticised Iran in no uncertain terms, stating that the Committee was “particularly disturbed about the extent of discrimination against followers of non-recognized religions, notably the Baha’is, whose rights under the Covenant are subject to extremely severe restrictions. In the foregoing connection, the Committee received no satisfactory answer regarding the destruction of places of worship or cemeteries and the systematic persecution, harassment and discrimination of the Baha’is, which is in clear contradiction with the provisions of the Covenant.”

The outright prohibition on all declaration or expression of Bahá’í belief along with the ban on all their organisational structures, is all the more devastating for a community which does not have a clerical religious structure and is entering its thirty-first year of severe persecution.

Iran’s criminalisation of the freedom of expression rights of hundreds of its Bahá’í citizens does not bode well for the wider cause of opinion, thought and conscience. In September last year, International PEN expressed alarm at increasing and widespread violations. The situation has just got a lot worse.

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Guy Shannon

16 March, 2009

I have many Iranian friends most of which are not of my Faith. I am an American Bahá’í. Now you might think this od because I grew up in a Christian society; and I still have others ask me,”What is that; the Bahá’í Faith?” I have never heard of it before. That is to be expected because we spread ur faith by personal contact and answering questions like, “What is that?” So, how did I become a Bahá’í? In my own neighborhood, my friends were Catholics, Christian Scientists, Mormans, and Jewish. Next door the was a Morman Church, and down the street, a Prespeterian Minister. My father was a methodist, and my mother was raised a Baptist. I experienced antisemitism and racial prejudice, because my mother’s family were all from the deep South. I had no friends other than caucasians. And the religion of Islam was a foreign to me as black is the opposite of white. My understanding of Islam was that the followers of Muhammad wore turbins and said Allah was their God. You see, in those days, 60 years agao, we did not understand yet that in other countries their name for God was different than ours, but it was the same God as ours. I did not even know about the AMerican Indian Faith. Hindus were strange also, they also wore turbins, but sat on beds of nails. But as our society grew afte WWII, many different cultures slowly began to enter our country; and it was by this mix of cultures that I began to question my own understanding of religion and God. The greatest question posed in my own mind was about sience, evolution, and creationism; yes, and also, about Allah, which I determined was just their (the middle-easterner’s) name for God. One day I ccame to visit a friend and while waiting for her to get ready to go out with me, I spoke to her mother who spoke about religion. I told her that my first question was, that if evolution were true and science explains, then all religion was wrong. And if creation were true, as Religions states, then science was not true because they differ. She explained to me that man may have been in a differnt form due to the age in which he lived, but that he was always a man. And science, well that was the discovery of the physical world. These two, creation and science, are not in arguement wiith each other, they go hand in hand. Her religion was Bahá’í which I found to be very srange, and I had never heard of it before. After two years had passed, I became a Bahá’í and have been a member of this Faith for 44 years. IN that time I have questioned my Faith any times, but looking at my faith and reading our writings and meditating upon its principals, I have never been able to prove it wrong. I remain a Bahá’í today. So now, what do I think of all of this persecution in Iran? What I know of the Iranian people is good. They support each other, those who are like me, they are devout in their own Faith. I work with many Iranians, and know their families. Most recently, I kost one of my dearest Iranian friends, whose heart suffered much in this life. He was like a sweet breath of the love of God when we met, and his smile always warmed my heart. To this day I miss his presence, though I am also friends with his two brothers who are also dear to me. I can understand therefore, how the authorities in Iran may feel towards Bahá’ís. Persian is culturally and to a degree vastly different from how we practice religion in America. But as it should not be the cause for me to be unjust to my Iranian friends, because the leaders of their country are unjusstly treating my Bahá’í brothers and sisters, the difference in our Faiths or cultures should not be the cause of unjust treatment of the Bahá’ís in Iran. If my brothers and sisters are to be charged there, then let that charge read that they are in lrague against Iran as representatives of every country wherein the members of the Jewish Faith reside, every country in the world. No, this makes no sense to me, because it is my Iranian friends and Bahá’í brothers and sisters who have opened my own eyes to the teachings of Muhammad and Islam. Should I hate Islam because of this persecution?I think not, for the teachings of Muhammad are from God. If I were to hate Islam, then I also would have to hate all other faiths, including my own. They are all from God. We Bahá’ís do not steal, or take that which is not ours from you. We do not aid another in stealing from you. In fact, we are taught to shake the dust from our feet when leaving a city in order that none may claim we do steal. We uphold your station, your Faith, your government. There is none who would come faster to your aid if someone were to scorn your faith than a Bahá’í. We would and have stood upon the highest pulpit in defense of Muhammad and his followers; in fact, Baha’u'llah, the Prophet of our Fiath, when He was led chained through the streets of Teheran, when an older woman was going to throw a rock in His face, He told the guard who was about to stop her to to withhold her from doing that whcih she deemed as righteous in the eyes of God. Is this the act of one who would create subterfuge? No, as I love the Iranians, as I know the greatness of the Iranian people and their country, to persecute the Bahá’ís with unjust and ill founded charges does not bring a good light upon you, no, it is abject darkness; while I know in your hearts you are generous, kind, hospitible, and thoughtful. So to me, you are going aginst yourselves. That is why I ask for your mercy, for the sake of your own hearts. You have before you a great opportunity to be just, kind, and forgiving. One last statement: The Iranians are known for their culture of negotiation. Negotiation when condicuted within reason and in good faith always produces good results, because in the end their is mutual agreement. But when negotiation growws beyond its intended boundries, it then fosters mistrust and the outcome is never good, because there can never be mutual agreement under such circumstances. When this occurrs, the negotiation is ended and a disagreeable bargain is stuck. It only prolongs the end result desired. Such conditions prohibit further dealings and end all friendship. I have noticed how some use the lives of people for such negotiations, of children, women, even babes. This will not lead to the benefits desired, or achieve the results hoped for. The best foundation for the negotiation of benefit is the foundation of truth and love. A great and benevolent leadership can step from the darkness and gain all real power when its actions are laaid upon the foundation of truth, justice, and the love of mankind. Let the kindness and love of Muhammad be the guide in your heart; discover His teachings and abide by them nad you shall be righteous in deed and love all of mankind. Would it not be better to sit in love and friendhsip at the table with your trusted enemy, than to enjoy the company of one who claims to be your friend while he keep his hand upon the hilt of his knife?

Guy Shannon

16 March, 2009

I have many Iranian friends most of which are not of my Faith. I am an American Bahá’í. Now you might think this odd because I grew up in a Christian society; and I still have others ask me,”What is that; the Bahá’í Faith? I have never heard of it before.” That is to be expected because we spread our faith by personal contact and answering questions like, “What is that?” So, how did I become a Bahá’í? In my own neighborhood, my friends were Catholics, Christian Scientists, Mormans, and Jewish. Next door the was a Morman Church, and down the street, a Prespeterian Minister. My father was a methodist, and my mother was raised a Baptist. I experienced antisemitism and racial prejudice, because my mother’s family were all from the deep South. I had no friends other than caucasians. And the religion of Islam was as foreign to me as black is the opposite of white. We did not use the word, Islam, but referred to those people as Muhammadans. My understanding of Islam was that the followers of Muhammad wore turbins and said Allah was their God. You see, in those days, 60 years ago, we did not understand yet that in other countries their name for God was different than ours, but it was the same God as ours. I did not even know about the American Indian Faiths. Hindus were strange also, they also wore turbins, but sat on beds of nails. But as our society grew after WWII, many different cultures slowly began to enter our country; and it was by this mix of cultures that I began to question my own understanding of religion and God. The greatest question posed in my own mind was about sience, evolution, and creationism; yes, and also, about Allah, which I determined was just their (the middle-easterner’s) name for God. One day I came to visit a friend and while waiting for her to get ready to go out with me, I spoke to her mother who spoke about religion. I told her that my first question was, that if evolution were true as science explains, then all religion was wrong. But if Adam was the first man, and if creation were true, as Religions state, then science was not true because they differ. She explained to me that man may have been in a differnt form due to the age in which he lived, but that he was always a man. And science, well that was the discovery of the physical world. These two, creation and science, are not in arguement wiith each other, they go hand in hand. Her religion was Bahá’í which I found to be very strange, and I had never heard of it before. After two years had passed, I became a Bahá’í and have been a member of this Faith for 44 years. In that time I have questioned my Faith many times, but looking at my faith and reading our writings and meditating upon its principals, I have never been able to prove it wrong. I remain a Bahá’í today. So now, what do I think of all of this persecution in Iran? What I know of the Iranian people is good. They support each other, those who are like me, they are devout in their own Faith. I work with many Iranians, and know their families. Most recently, I lost one of my dearest Iranian friends, whose heart suffered much in this life. He was like a sweet breath of the love of God when we met, and his smile always warmed my heart. To this day I miss his presence, though I am also friends with his two brothers who are also dear to me. I can understand therefore, how the authorities in Iran may feel towards Bahá’ís. Persia is culturally and to a degree vastly different from how we practice religion in America. But as it should not be the cause for me to be unjust to my Iranian friends, because the leaders of their country are unjustly treating my Bahá’í brothers and sisters, the difference in our Faiths or cultures should not be the cause of unjust treatment of the Bahá’ís in Iran. If my brothers and sisters are to be charged there, then let that charge read that they are in league against Iran as representatives of every country wherein the members of the Jewish Faith reside, every country in the world. No, this makes no sense to me, because it is my Iranian friends and Bahá’í brothers and sisters who have opened my own eyes to the teachings of Muhammad and Islam. Should I hate Islam because of this persecution? I think not, for the teachings of Muhammad are from God. If I were to hate Islam, then I also would have to hate all other faiths, including my own. They are all from God. We Bahá’ís do not steal, or take that which is not ours from you. We do not aid another in stealing from you. In fact, we are taught to shake the dust from our feet when leaving a city in order that none may claim we do steal. We uphold your station, your Faith, your government. There is none who would come faster to your aid if someone were to scorn your faith, than a Bahá’í. We would and have stood upon the highest pulpit in defense of Muhammad and his followers; in fact, Baha’u'llah, the Prophet of our Fiath, when He was led chained through the streets of Teheran, when an older woman was going to throw a rock in His face, He told the guard who was about to stop her to not withhold her from doing that whcih she deemed as righteous in the eyes of God. Is this the act of one who would create subterfuge? No, as I love the Iranians, as I know the greatness of the Iranian people and their country, to persecute the Bahá’ís with unjust and ill founded charges does not bring a good light upon you, no, it is abject darkness; while I know in your hearts you are generous, kind, hospitible, and thoughtful. So to me, you are going aginst yourselves. That is why I ask for your mercy, for the sake of your own hearts. You have before you a great opportunity to be just, kind, and forgiving. One last statement: The Iranians are known for their culture of negotiation. Negotiation when conducted within reason and in good faith always produces good results, because in the end their is mutual trust and agreement. But when negotiation grows beyond its intended boundries, it then fosters mistrust and the outcome is never good, because there can never be mutual agreement under such circumstances. When this occurrs, the negotiation is ended and a disagreeable bargain is struck. It only prolongs the end result desired, which then may never be attained. Such conditions prohibit further dealings and end all friendship. I have noticed how some use the lives of people for such negotiations, of children, women, even babes. This will not lead to the benefits desired, or achieve the results hoped for. The best foundation for the negotiation of benefit is the foundation of truth and love. A great and benevolent leadership can step from the darkness and gain all real power when its actions are laid upon the foundation of truth, justice, and the love of mankind. I say this for all leadersips, even that of the United States. Let the kindness and love of Muhammad be the guide in your heart; discover His teachings and abide by them and you shall be righteous in deed and love all of mankind. Would it not be better to sit in love and friendhsip at the table with your trusted enemy, than to enjoy the company of one who claims to be your friend while he keeps his hand upon the hilt of his knife?