Noble people of Iran,

We do not see the need to tell you of our love for Iran and Iranians. Anyone who has contact with the Baha’is of Iran is without a doubt well aware of their devotion to their land and their dear compatriots.

However, as a poet put it,

The guards of my cage broke my silence
They broke my heart filled with patience

The time to wait and hesitate has come to an end. The pen in the hands of the oppressive rulers writes nothing but defamation, distortion of facts, and derision. Their paper is soaked in the darkness of dogma, detestation, and despotism. My dear compatriots, you should also present a pen and paper, because you love freedom, and you love kindness and passion. The power of thought and heart is stronger than a thousand weapons.

We are Iranians of the Baha’i faith. Our desires will be reached with an Iran that is proud and Iranians that are honoured. On the contrary, we are deprived of our minimal civil rights [in Iran]. Although we do not have the right to attend universities in our country, we have not ceased to defend the dignity and honour of Iranians. We have shown compassion to this land and its people with all our heart and soul. Despite all the injustices we have to bear, this land is sacred and a source of pride for us.

To pursue our right to education, we went to many government organizations like the Ministry of Advanced Education, the Evaluations Office (responsible for post-secondary examinations), and the Presidential Office. [As a response] we were either insulted or threatened.

Conscious violations of human rights in Iran is not new. Everyone, in some way or another, is faced with it. Followers of the Baha’i faith seem to have been more stripped of their human rights than others. Baha’is have not experienced justice, fairness, and equality in the past thirty years.

The violators of these rights did not stop at insults and defamation. The regime has a dark record of burning Baha’is alive; looting and confiscating property owned by Baha’is; threatening, torturing, and imprisoning Baha’is. Despite the amount of cruelty Baha’is have endured, they have never submitted to the injustices.

Despite all these, we cannot complain about these oppressors; it is clear to everyone that power and wealth blind those who depend on it. They turn exalted feelings into hatred and violence such that one does not even recognize the humanity of others, let alone respect their rights.

The Baha’i youth who were engaged in serving their fellow citizens by helping disadvantaged children of their cities were arrested and detained for daring to assist their compatriots. The individuals who take their grievances on their right to education to officials are affronted and intimidated. Currently some are detained in prison. Mercenaries who know nothing of the Baha’i people are recruited to write whatever they want against followers of this faith to weaken their status in the society. Not a single word they write is true, and yet when we try to clarify the facts and uncover the truth, we are hit by legal prosecution on the false premises that we have acted against national security and have insulted Islam.

As we mentioned before, we do not expect much more of them. We are, however, disappointed at fellow citizens who listen and believe those who say whatever they want, distort the truth, defame and slander, and even break the law. We are heartbroken at the compatriot who harasses their fellow citizen out of religious dogma, and turns the schools attended by young Baha’i children to a place where they harass, belittle, and insult these defenseless youngsters. We are saddened by those who accept without research and review whatever they hear without seeing the impacts of such statements.

Whatever you do, you remain our compatriot and our fellow human being, and we will not cease to love you. It is not hatred and resentment, but love for you which remains in our hearts. I like you my bully and oppressive fellow citizen. We love you our oppressed and bullied compatriot. Whether you are Muslim, Christian, or you hold another belief; whatever your post and status, whether you are poor or rich; whether you are fair or unjust; whether you are educated or illiterate; whether you are black or white; we cordially love you.

The New Year is an excuse to renew thoughts and emotions. Let us celebrate it, and regardless of any dogma, let’s hold hands. Let’s rise with one heart and one soul, bonded by compassion and mutual respect, to serve the sacred soil of Iran.

A group of Baha’i students deprived of education

March 18, 2010
Source: Siavosh J. | Persian2English.com

Related posts:

1. 128 Baha’i Students Expelled from Universities
2. Iranian Baha’i students discuss the denial of of higher education
3. Iran’s persecution of Bahá’ís is devastating

Campaign: Mr. Misaghi, you are a member of the Right to Education Committee. Why did you form this Committee and what is the situation with the Committee members right now?

Hessam Misaghi: This Committee was formed as an independent organization to regain the general right to education. Most of its members were Bahai students who had been deprived of education, but the Committee was working to regain the rights of all students deprived from education on grounds such as gender discrimination, suspension and dismissal orders for critical students, as well as deprivation of education for Bahai students which has a long record.

This Committee had several meetings last May and June in different Iranian cities with the aim to disseminate information, something which was unprecedented under the oppressive conditions of Iran. The first meeting was held in Tehran. I participated in the meetings as the Spokesperson for the organization, so I delivered speeches. Navid Khanjani was the founder and Head of this independent organization. The Committee was established as an independent organization to regain the general right to education. Three Committee members were arrested within 24 hours and three other members’ homes were searched.

Who are the other Committee members who have been arrested or are being pursued?

Hessam Misaghi: Dorsa Sobhani, one of our Committee colleagues in Sari is under immense pressure. Her father was arrested by six people yesterday [March 6] and was interrogated blindfolded and handcuffed while he was beaten. Eeghan Shahidi, a Committee colleague in Kermanshah was arrested early in the morning on March 3rd. Sama Nourani, a Shiraz colleague who has been deprived from her medical engineering education at Tabriz Sahand University was arrested on March 3rd. I must add that after joining the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, our Committee’s central members established a new organization named “Society Against Educational Discrimination,” and this is how threats and arrests of members of Committee of Human Rights Reporters came to be related to arrests of our organization which is a defender of the right to education.

Were you summoned, too?

Hessam Misaghi: I was summoned on January 2nd. I didn’t show up to Ministry of Information. On March 3rd they stormed my home and the home of Sepehr Atefi, one of our colleagues in the Right to Education Committee and searched the premises. I have to add that we were an independent organization and our only objective was to defend the right to an education.

What were your group’s objectives regarding the right to education?

Hessam Misaghi: We ask for freedom of thought for university entry. The Right to Education Committee has been dissolved. All our colleagues are now active with the Society Against Educational Discrimination.

What do you think is the reason for the confrontation with this group? Is it because some of the members are Bahais? Or is it because the Ministry of Science has consistently denied the “starred student” phenomenon? Or are there other reasons?

Hessam Misaghi: The government deprives applicants and students from their education, as well as arresting people who are activists around this subject. I think the arrests of these individuals is not related solely to their being Bahais. These individuals were involved in civil activities to defend student rights. The rulers neither approve of their being Bahais, nor their civil activities. Bahais’ joining the Iranian civil society and joining other civil activists working to defend their fellow countrymen’s rights is a very significant development and I think the rulers cannot tolerate this, hence the severe crackdown on these education-deprived students. Dorsa Sobhani was also a One Million Signatures Campaign activist in Sari.

Crackdowns on the Right to Education activists is not unprecedented. Currently members of the Council to Defend the Right to Education are also in prison. Zia Nabavi, Majid Dorri, Saeed Jalalifar, Mahdieh Golroo, and Shiva Nazar Ahari are the ones in prison now.

What do you think about the recent remarks by Minister of Science in which he said those who do not share the regime’s views–more specifically those who do not have practical commitment to Islam and Velayat-e Faghih–will be dismissed from universities?

Hessam Misaghi: Such an approach is in contradiction to international human rights standards and shows the short-sightedness of a regime which does not accept any opposite views. In a country where the entire nation think the same way, no progress will be achieved. It is through criticism and challenge that new ideas are heard and progress is achieved.

What do you think these remarks could bring student political activists?

Hessam Misaghi: Such statements will only intensify the ruling oppression in the society and will increase pressure on student and civil activists. Consequently, security organizations would also confront harder, as we are witnessing, even though many students are already in prison. Now we see even those who have never been allowed to enter the universities despite their efforts for gaining admission are also arrested.

Can you provide more details about Dorsa Sobhani?

Hessam Misaghi: Dorsa is 20 years old. Her father was threatened by telling him that if Dorsa did not turn herself in on Saturday, they would arrest his wife and their younger daughter.
[Update: Dorsa arrived at her home in Sari on March 7th and was arrested by 12 security agents and eventually transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran - BR]

Dorsa’s father said that two days ago, when he left his home, six men waiting outside his home told him that he had to go with them. They then transferred him to an unknown location. He was handcuffed and blindfolded and interrogated for four hours during which he was threatened. I already told you about threats. Dorsa has to turn herself in on Saturday, otherwise her family will be arrested and her home will be confiscated.

Where was Dorsa?

Hessam Misaghi: Dorsa had taken a trip to (…) on the day the officers stormed their home at night.

Is she back now?

Hessam Mishaghi: They have told her father that she should return and turn herself in tomorrow. She will most likely be arrested.

What is her charge?

Hessam Misaghi: They didn’t say anything about charges. They just said we have a warrant and we will explain the charges after arrest. In my and Sepehr’s cases, they informed us of the same charges as for the other Committee members, meaning “contact with MKO” and “moharebeh.”

Are you a Bahai yourself?

Hessam Misaghi: Yes, I am from a Bahai family. This was used in a Ministry of Science letter as grounds for my dismissal from Isfahan’s Sanaee University in 2008, after I had finished two terms studying English Translation. I should add that most of my classmates did not know anything about my being a Bahai, it had never been discussed.

How did they find out and expel you?

Hessam Misaghi: Usually Bahai students are dismissed after a ruling arrives from Ministry of Science’s Security Department. Ministry of Information has all the statistics on Bahai families; they identify [the students] and do the expulsion.

How do they get their statistics? Do families announce that they are Bahais?

Hessam Misaghi: Yes. Bahai’s don’t conceal their belief because it is forbidden for them. If someone asks them they announce that they are Bahais.

What happens if you object? Is there any source to respond to your objection?

Hessam Misaghi: Over the past years, objections have been registered with Ministry of Science, Evaluation Organization, and The Cultural Revolution Superior Council both in written form and in person. But the authorities do not answer at all and consider themselves not at fault.

Navid Khanjani and I even had a situation when last December 17th we went to Ministry of Science. We were detained in a room inside the Ministry of Science for a whole day. We were threatened and interrogated because we had found a confidential letter which Ministry of Science authorities didn’t want to leave the Ministry and we were not giving them the letter.

What was in the letter?

Hessam Misaghi: It was a letter in which it was clearly stated that dismissal of these students was on orders from Ministry of Science’s Security Department. The letter has been scanned and I can send you the file. I was so surprised when I heard Larijani’s statements. We have heard so many lies during these years but this was really surprising. How far can a government go to deny its actions? We are a generation who has heard years of lies and when we tried to expose the lies we ended up in prison, like Navid, Eeghan, Sama, and maybe even Dorsa…

Does the Committee only pertain to education-deprived students or does it also include the starred students?

Hessam Misaghi: We had starred students in our gatherings, too. Our gatherings were a tribune for all education-deprived students from all orientations.

Therefore your organization is only six months old and you have endured so much pressure?

Hessam Misaghi: Yes, that’s right.

You have been illegally barred from continuing your education. When responding to criticism about imprisoning Iranian Bahais and denying them the right to education, Javad Larijani denied it in Geneva. On the other hand, when you ask the authorities to be responsive, you are summoned and arrested. How does this make you feel?

Hessam Misaghi: With all these problems, and even though my best friends are in jail, I am still not disappointed, because I know people of Iran hear our voices. Iranians’ voices demanding their rights have been heard by the world for a while now. We are people who have never accepted injustice and have fought for regaining our rights until our last breaths.

Related posts:

1. Dorsa Sobhani, a Baha’i Activist, Arrested Today in Iran
2. Baha’i Activist Dorsa Sobhani Barred from Visitations in Evin Prison
3. Confidential Iran memo exposes policy to deny Baha’i students university education

Part 1:

Part 2: (Note that it overlaps partially with part 1)

Part 3:

Part 4:

Related posts:

1. Round-up of Updates about the Ongoing Persecution of Baha’is in Iran
2. Iran’s persecution of Bahá’ís is devastating
3. Round-up of updates from Iran: Persecution of Baha’is continues unabated

Several homes of Baha’is were searched across Iran. On September 27, the house of Sohail Rouhani was searched in Yazd by security forces. They confiscated his computer, cell phone and CDs. On October 17, security forces searched the home of Shahram Azadi in Khorramshahr. They took his identification papers and his mobile phone. In Mahshahr, the house of a Baha’i couple Shokrollah and Sadigheh Hajiani was searched on October 19. Both were detained, and Mrs. Hajiani was later released. On October 21, security forces searched Pejzman Nikooneja’s house in Babol, confiscated some personal belongings and detained him for two hours.

Several Baha’i citizens were summoned to interrogations by security forces. Four Baha’is in Kashan, Shahrzad Mahjoor, Ruhieh Fanaian, Soheil Husaynipour and Feraydoon Fallah were interrogated by the Revolutionary Court on September 23 and later released. On September 26, another Baha’i resident of Kashan, Rosita Zabihian, was questioned by the Revolutionary Court. She was summoned to the interrogation by the Revolutionary Guards Information Office earlier that month. The same office summoned six Baha’is from the nearby village of Mazgan for interrogation. The six, Nourollah Samiee, Shahram Ehsani, Mr. Heshmatollah Ehsani, Mr. Nourollah Shahidi, Mr. Rahmatollah Shahidi and Mr. Siavash Dabestani, were question in Kashan on September 30.

While many Baha’i students were simply denied the right to start their higher education this year, despite passing the entrance exam, three Baha’i students in Semnan completed one week in the university before they were expelled.

A number of Baha’is have been arrested over the last month and a half. On October 12, Behnam Rouhanifard was arrested in Yazd and taken to an undisclosed location. Four days later, his brother, Sohail Rouhanifard was arrested too. On October 19, Peyman Kashfi, a Baha’i from Tehran was summoned to the Revolutionary Court, and never returned from there. When his family inquired about his whereabouts, they were told that he’s detained in section 209 of Evin Prison (the section reserved for political prisoners). He is not allowed to see visitors and accept packages from his family. On October 31, Yasuj Intelligence Office searched the house of Ali Bakhsh Bazrafkan, confiscated some of his belongings and then brought him to his son’s house, searched that house too and confiscated all religious writings. Ali was later arrested. On November 2, two Baha’is in Mashad were arrested and taken to an unknown location. Security forces arrested the two, Sonia Ahmadi and Mr. Ghanavatian after they’ve entered a religious session of the Baha’is in town that evening and filmed it.

On October 30, Ruhollah Rezaei a Baha’i citizen in Shiraz was kidnapped by unknown men and tortured. He was threatened, hung by a rope to make his believe that he’s about to be hanged, undressed and burned with cigarettes all over his body. Mr. Rezaei was previously jailed for five years in 1981 when he was only 18.

On October 19, nine Baha’is from Mashhad, Davar Nabilzadeh, Kaviz Noozdahi, Rosita Vaseghi, Sima Rajabian, Nahid Ghadiri, Nasrin Ghadiri, Sima Eshraghi, Jalayer Vahdat and Hooman Bakhtavar, were summoned to the Security Office for interrogation. On October 25, the second hearing in their case took place. The nine face different charges, including propaganda against the regime, activities against national security, teaching the Baha’i Faith and insulting religious sanctities.
In Early Novemver, A Baha’i woman from Semnan, Manijeh Monzavian, was sentenced to three and half years in prison for acting against national security by promoting the Baha’i Faith and membership in Baha’i anti-regime organizations. As expected, the trial of the seven Baha’i leaders (the Yaran), which was set to start on October 18, was postponed for the fourth time. According to IRNA, Alireza Avaie, head of Tehran’s justice department, said that he “believes they will be tried in the near future.”

Following the destruction of the Baha’i cemetery of Vilashahr and Najafabad for the 18th time, Azizu’llah Subhi Najafabad, a Baha’i from Najafabad was buried on September 27 in Isfahan without notification to his family. As we’ve previously mentioned, his family was not allowed to bury him in the Baha’i cemetery following its destruction, and his body was held in the hospital since his death on September 15.

Various acts of vandalism against Baha’i property were perpetrated as well. In late September the windows of a car belonging to Mahboub Bandi, a Baha’i from Rafsanjan, were smashed by unidentified men. Only a few days later, on October 2, the car of Farzad Mohebati was set on fire in the same town. Also, On September 27, unidentified motorcyclists smashed the windows of Nezamuddin Fanaian’s car in Semnan. The similar attack was carried out in the city on October 7 against Adel Fanaian’s car. On November 2, a large water tank was stolen from a Baha’i cemetery in Sangar, near Semnan, probably using a crane. As we know from previous incidents, vandalism against Baha’i property is not investigated by authorities, thus affirming to the perpetrators a feeling of impunity.

As a background to this ongoing persecution is the state-supported incitement against Baha’is and their Faith. On October 8, a seminar in the city of Mashad for the “review and critique of sects” called the Baha’i Faith a “pseudo-sect”. Also, On October 10, Ghoranali Dorri Najafabadi, the representative of the Supreme Leader and the leader of the Friday prayer in the city of Arak, spoke to a group of women. In his speech he described Baha’i religious activities as “suspicious, seditious and criminal”. Until a few months ago, Mr. Najafabadi served as Solicitor General and was responsible for the decision to disband the informal local Baha’i councils (the formal ones were banned in 1979).

Related posts:

1. Round-up of Updates about the Ongoing Persecution of Baha’is in Iran
2. Round-up of updates from Iran
3. 10 homes raided in Mashhad; 2 Baha’is arrested

According to Kit Bigelow, the director of the office of external affairs for the National Spiritual Assembly in the United States, there are 13,000 Iranian Baha’i refugees currently living in the States.

Related posts:

1. Iranian Baha’i students discuss the denial of of higher education
2. Interview With a Baha’i Education Right Activist in Iran
3. Call for access to education for all members of the Iranian Baha’i community

Recently, a similar case occurred when a Baha’i student was expelled from Bandar Abbas University. These incidents have happened against a backdrop of systematic denial of education from Baha’is in Iran. Lately, many Baha’is were not allowed to enroll to universities for this academic year, despite passing the National Entrance Examination.

Related posts:

1. Muslim students protest Baha’i expelled from Iranian university
2. Confidential Iran memo exposes policy to deny Baha’i students university education
3. 3 students expelled from university

Unknown men bulldozed over the Baha’i cemetery of Vilashahr and Najafabad, near Isfahan. This is the 18th time that cemetery has been destroyed. According to the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, following the destruction, a Baha’i family was not given permission to bury a member of the family in that cemetery. Authorities also impeded the burial of a Baha’i men in Semnan by first denying them a birth certificate, then by demanding that the pay four times as much for the needed certificate. Finally, after acquiescing to the persistent pleas of the family, the funeral was carried out. Toward the end of the ceremony, local hooligans harassed the grieving family with insults, and later a small group of protesters marched in Semnan, chanting anti-Baha’i slogans. Also in Semnan, Susan Tebyanian-Jabbari was released from detention to find a letter notifying her that her work permit has been revoked. Near Semnan, the crops of a Baha’i farmer were torched.

Many Baha’i students who passed the college entrance exam were denied education, on account of “incomplete application”. This is a known tactic used by Iranian authorities to disguise the fact that Baha’is are routinely denied the basic human right of education. In addition, a Baha’i student was expelled from Bandar Abaas University.

The courts have had a busy time trying Baha’is across Iran based on the usual charges of teaching the Baha’i Faith, acting against state security and propaganda against the Islamic Republic. In Semnan, Behnam Moteareffi was sentenced for 18 months, and Ali Eshsani for two years in prison, two years in exile and a fine. The Revolutionary Court in Shahr-e-Rey is now trying a Baha’i for sedition, insulting Islam, membership in illegal groups and Messianic claims. The Revolutionary Court in Sari managed to hand down no less than six sentences for Baha’is in just two days. In Ghaem-Shahr the Iranian authorities closed down the businesses of an imprisoned Baha’i couple.

Baha’is cannot lead a normal life in Iran. They are discriminated against, harassed, put on trial, imprisoned and even killed solely for practicing a different religion. Please don’t let their suffering be forgotten. Make your voices heard.

Related posts:

1. Round-up of updates from Iran: Persecution of Baha’is continues unabated
2. Round-up of updates from Iran
3. Iran’s persecution of Bahá’ís is devastating

This unprecedented forum was held today in Tehran. The pictures of student prisoners on display punctuated the importance of this meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Niloufar Mehrabi, who opened the session with remarks on the right to education and the importance of its implementation.

The first speaker, Mr. Abolfazl Abedini, the head of public relations of the Association, recounted the executive activities of the Association and the various functions of its committees. He specifically named publication of books, monthly newsletters, educational workshops, legal support for victims of violation of human rights, and an international presence and reporting on the issue of human rights as the most prominent activities of the Association. He also mentioned the burden of costs that has been imposed on the Association for its activities and noted that the resilience of the Association despite the costs demonstrates its resolve and commitment to the rule of law.

The second speaker, Mr. Hessam Missaghi, a member of the Committee on the Right to Education for the Bahá’ís, introduced his Committee, its history, and its mission statement. He stated that one of the missions of the committee is consolidating its activities in addressing the deprivation of large numbers of Bahá’í young men and women from the right to education. Mr. Missaghi further elucidated the need for unity amongst various student organizations and noted that the Committee he represents serves as a bridge between students whose right to education has been violated and human rights organizations. Another mission of the Committee, he continued, is collection of statistics on the students who are currently deprived of their right to higher education.

Mr. Missaghi, who has been deprived of higher education, requested other activists in the forum to continue to write articles on this matter and assist the committee with their active reporting and follow-up.

The next speaker was Dr. Nemat Ahmadi, attorney and university professor, who received an ovation from the crowd upon standing at the podium. Dr. Ahmadi began his remarks with an expression of disappointment as an educator to learn that there are students, who, on the basis of their religious affiliation, are deprived of access to education. He further continued that such course of action is in stark contrast to the Iranian Constitution. He noted that Article 9 of the Iranian Civil Law clearly states that the International Covenants to which Iran is a signatory must be observed. He also noted the third chapter of the Constitution with Articles 15 through 43 that point to individual rights and liberties and consider the right to education as universal. He recounted his memories that as a student he had been involved in significant activism and since the university was considered as an independent entity, his activities never led to his suspension or violation of his rights as a student.

He quoted an Islamic tradition stating, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.” He interpreted this statement that anyone who desires to obtain an education has the right to do so.

He continued that even if the authorities who deny the right to education believe that their subjects are “infidels,” according to Islam, there is distinction between “infidels by birth” and “infidels by will.” As such, people who are born into families who may be considered as “infidels” may not carry the burden of sin. As an example, he stated that if he were born in a different country, he may well be a follower of a different religion. This, he said, cannot be grounds for denying anyone their right to education.

Dr. Ahmadi considered this matter very simple within the framework of Islamic beliefs and stated that any country has certain obligations to its citizens that must be honored. This human rights activist closed his speech with the hope of a future in which no one would be deprived of education on the basis of his or her beliefs. He speech roused the audience to cheers.

The chairwoman, Ms. Mehrabi, then invited Salman Sima, a student activist from Azad University, to take the podium.

At the outset, Salman Sima expressed his astonishment at the numbers of students who are denied their right to education on the basis of their beliefs. In his belief, deprivation from education is equivalent to execution or denial of life. This student activist recounted the trend of deprivation at Azad University dating back six years and stated that many students had been suspended. He also quoted the Constitution and international covenants and noted that the right to education is inalienable. He also noted that the passing of the bill on affirmative action on the basis of gender is another example of deprivation from education. He concluded his speech stating, “The right to education for a student is as the right to life for a human.”

Next, Holaku Rahmanian, a student deprived of education on the basis of his belief in the Bahá’í Faith and despite his extraordinary performance in the national entrance examination, was invited to the podium. He recited the letters recounting his difficulties in obtaining admission into any university and noted the obstables that led to his eventual denial of admission. He stated that the authorities told him that his religion was the reason for this denial.

The editor-in-chief of the Association, Behzad Mehrani, took the microphone next at the request of the chairwoman. He began is speech noting his sense of relief that unlike the past decades when the right to life for the Bahá’ís was in question, the discourse is now focused on their right to education. This activist performed a cursory review of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights as a feature of the modern world. He characterizes the modern human as one with wisdom and freedom of choice and the traditional human as one who is bound by customs. He noted that in the modern world, a human is respected solely on the basis of being a human. He concluded by stating that no power should have the permission to deny anyone the right to education.

The next speaker was Saghar Miri, a student deprived of education. She reviewed the historic background of the Bahá’ís denial of education after the Islamic revolution and then reviewed the events in 2007 that led to a few admissions for Bahá’í students. As one of these students, she had been admitted into the Bachelor’s degree program in English interpretation at Shahr-e-Noor University. Howeverm after three months of enrollment, she was denied the right to continue her education. She expressed her gratitude to the association for its efforts in reclaiming the right to education.

The next speaker was Mr. Towfigh, a university professor, who rejected the notion that anyone should have his civil rights in jeopardy on the basis of affiliation with a philosophy or an unrecognized religion. He reviewed the articles of law that support his statements. He also noted that even within Islamic jurisprudence the right to education is considered inalienable and the act of silencing of beliefs itself constitutes deprivation from education. He expressed the need to revise the current policies and procedures for admissions offices that lead to deprivation of education for students as they are in contrast with the Constitution.

The last speaker of the forum was Mehdi Khodai, a student activist in charge of the Student Affairs Division of the Association. He recited the Association’s closing statement and concluded by saying, “We hope that this forum will open the door for future forums and the expansion of its focus to defending human rights of all Iranian citizens.”

Mehdi Khodai continued, “The Association of the Human Rights Activists in Iran expresses its grave concern regarding the authorities’ use of invented laws and policies that are contrary to the Constitution and international covenants to which the Islamic Republic is a signatory. The Association is hopeful that such gross violations of human rights will cease in the future and that all groups and ethnicities will enjoy all their inalienable human rights.”

At the conclusion of the forum, a book entitled “An Introduction to Removal of All Types of Discrimination Against Women” was distributed amongst the audience.

Related posts:

1. Interview With a Baha’i Education Right Activist in Iran
2. Four Baha’i youth struggle for their right to education
3. Annual report on discrimination against Baha’i students

The following report recounts a number of cases of abuse and discrimination against the Baha’i students as well as the violation of their human and civil rights as published by Human Rights Activists in Iran, and its committee on the Denial of Access to Higher Education to Baha’is

It must be kept in mind that given the absence of a free press and significant administrative limitations facing the Human Rights Activists in Iran this report can not be considered complete and does not reflect all the human rights violations across the country.

Baha’i students have been categorically denied higher education from the first years of the Islamic Revolution and following the opening of the universities in the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution. At that time Baha’i student and professors were expelled and were denied admission and re-entry for the following two decades.

However, the denial of education from 2007 onwards must be seen as stages implemented by the Ministry of Intelligence and their “Protection” arm in the Ministry of Education (Herasat, literally “protection”).

In 2008 large number of Baha’is applied for the country-wide national examination administered for university admission. This time a large number of Baha’is were able to participate and sit in for the exam. After the exams were finished and the results were announced the Baha’i students were unable to access their record on-line, and could not get access to their results. This was a repeat of 2007 were 800 students were denied admission on grounds of an “incomplete” profile. The 2008 students denied on similar grounds are estimated as 800-1000.

In 2007 a few students were allowed to get through this first stage but they were denied at a later stage when they had to choose from the 5 categories of “official” recognized religions, Shi’i Muslim, Sunni Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian as was the case in Shiraz. As the Baha’i students were unable to choose one of the following categories they were denied admission and higher education.

Despite this a few students were allowed in through the system but they have gradually and systematically purged from higher education and denied access to the universities.

Approximately 30 students have been expelled in the past 2 years. They are from across the country, and involve many universities.

The members of the Committee on the Denial of Education to Baha’i Students have also been pursuing through correspondence and in person a review of their cases. Two items are worth noting. In 2008 three Baha’i students, Mr. Navid Khanjani, Hesam Misaghi and Armin Rahmani went in person to the offices of their representatives in the Parliament to speak to them and were faced with physical abuse and the threat of violence and the security forces did pull firearm on the students seeking their rights. The situation was calmed by the personal intervention of Mr. Rahbar the MP from Isfahan.

Also later on, Mr. Navid Khanjani and Hesam Misaghi went to the Ministry of Education in pursuit of their cases in December of 2008. They were interrogated in custody for 10 hours in the Ministry of Education and all their papers and files were confiscated by the Herasat security (mentioned earlier) and they were told that they should not follow-up on their

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3. A Report on the First Nationwide Forum on the Right to Education

The most recent case involves the expulsion of 3 medical students from the University of Sahand Tabriz. Via Human Rights Activists in Iran:

Three medical students from the University of Sahand Tabriz were expelled from the university because of being Baha’i. Yesterday, Tuesday March 3rd, university officials and the department of education shut down access to the

online university registration and course selection for three medical students from the University of Sahand in Tabriz. As such these students were unable to register for the new term at the university and select their required courses.

Sina Dana, Sama Noorani, and Faraz Vazirzadeh are the three expelled university students. Their numerous attempts to determine the causes for their expulsion has met with university officials hanging up on any inquiries related to the matter.

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1. Muslim students protest Baha’i expelled from Iranian university
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