We are working on developing content and more ideas to make this day as influential and effective as possible, however this is impossible without your help and participation.

How you can help:

We rely on people like you to help make this day possible, despite the short notice. Please start spreading the word as much as possible through all your networks and mailing lists and let’s achieve this worldwide Baha’i Rights Day where we all unite regardless of our race or religion to support Baha’is everywhere!

Thank you.

Related posts:

1. Iran’s persecution of Bahá’ís is devastating
2. Remembering July, 1997
3. Baha’is in Egypt still deprived of basic civil rights

These are brave, courageous souls representing the future of Iran, where all minorities are embraced and given equal rights regardless of their ethnic or religious differences.

Related posts:

1. European Parliament Resolution on Human Rights in Iran
2. “My esteemed fellow countrymen and women, the people of Iran”
3. Why support the Baha’is?

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

Photo credit: Dr. Basma Moussa

Wafa Hindi, aunt of the of the teenaged twins Nancy and Imad, hailed the verdict as a “victory for the values of citizenship against hatred and intolerance”.

It is a triumph for the true values inherent in all Egyptians against  lies and hypocrisy, and marks a bright record for the Egyptian judiciary.

Shady Samir was finally able to let out a sigh of relief:

Finally, I will have the right to live as a citizen in my country. This was a heavy nightmare that lasted for six long years. Congratulations to all the citizens of Egypt.

Dr. Basma Moussa, a prominent activist for Baha’i rights in Egypt, thanked all those who stood by the Baha’is during their ordeal:

I thank the lawyers Labib Moawad, Hossam Bahgat and Adel Ramadan from the “Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights” for their adoption of the Baha’i case. And I thank all human rights organizations, activists bloggers and writers who defended the civil rights of Baha’is in websites, and to all magazines and newspapers who gave Egyptian Baha’is a space to air their grievances and clear the bad image that was painted on Baha’is.

I also thank the court, headed by Judge Ibrahim Al Sagheer and Egypt’s just judicial system for establishing a ruling that  would pose as a new beginning for social justice. The ruling also affirmed what the Baha’is have stated three years ago: that the case is concerned with granting Baha’is equal civil rights, and is not a demand for recognition of the Baha’i Faith.

Finally, thanks are also due to the Ministry of Interior for its decision not to appeal the verdict, and we now request it implement the ruling, not only for those involved in the case, but for all of Egypt’s Baha’is.

Baha’is worldwide shared the joy of their Egyptian brothers and sisters, and in a statement to the Baha’i World News Service, Bani Dugal (representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations) said:

“We are pleased that the court has finally put this matter to rest, removing any possible excuse that would prevent the government from issuing official documents to Egyptian Baha’is,”

“Our expectation now is that the government will move swiftly to bring this ruling into practice and, at long last, grant Baha’is the essential right that all citizens have of possessing proper documents.”

In the press release by the Egyptian Initiaive for Personal Rights, Executive Director Hossam Bahgat explains that the ruling’s significance extends beyond the Baha’is of Egypt:

The significance of today’s decision goes far beyond the direct remedy it provides for hundreds of Baha’i Egyptians who have been the immediate victims of this arbitrary and discriminatory government policy. This final ruling is a major victory for all Egyptians fighting for a state where all citizens must enjoy equal rights regardless of their religion or belief.

Related posts:

1. Another favourable verdict in Egypt
2. Favourable verdict for Egyptian student
3. Victory for justice in Egypt

With this ruling, all legal challenges and appeals, brought by those extremists who oppose the Baha’is in Egypt, have been defeated in court. The Ministry of Interior, the principal party to the lawsuits, has never challenged or appealed the ruling that favored the Baha’is.

With this final verdict, there are no legal or administrative obstacles left that could prevent the Baha’is of Egypt from obtaining ID cards or birth certificates in their homeland.

Without ID cards, Egyptian Baha’is were denied access to basic civil rights and faced the following problems:

• They couldn’t move freely within Egypt [as those found without ID cards are subject to imprisonment]
• They couldn’t certify their marriage certificates
• They couldn’t obtain passports
• They couldn’t perform any bank transactions
• They couldn’t carry out transactions in traffic departments
• They couldn’t enrol their children in schools or universities
• Their children couldn’t clarify their position concerning conscription
• They couldn’t apply for jobs or obtain work permits
• They were denied health care
• They couldn’t buy, sell, or own property

We will be brining you more coverage and reactions to the ruling within Egypt as the news comes in.

But in this joyous day, let us not forget the Baha’is in Iran, who continue to face severe violations against their rights.

Related posts:

1. Baha’is in Egypt claim another victory [Updated]
2. Victory for Relgious Freedom in Egypt
3. Joyous Day for Egypt’s Baha’is

But we’re pleased to announce that the challenge was rejected, and Hosni’s right to obtain identification papers was affirmed.

However, the ruling will not be implemented as the Supreme Administrative Court has yet to issue a verdict on a separate appeal that was launched against the January 29 ruling.

Related posts:

1. Favourable verdict for Egyptian student
2. Joyous Day for Egypt’s Baha’is
3. Baha’is in Egypt claim another victory [Updated]

Yesterday, Dr. Basma Moussa, an Egyptian Baha’i activist, wrote to update us on the case of university student Nabil Al Hamamsy. In 2007, a court had ruled that he should be allowed to resume his education, but the ruling was challenge by the Ministry of Defence.

However, the challenge was rejected, but implementation of the ruling may be hindered by an appeal launched by the Ministry of Defence.

Related posts:

1. Another favourable verdict in Egypt
2. Egyptian Baha’i student denied entry to exams
3. Final ruling on identity cards to be delieverd on Jan 17

A group of Iranian intellectuals released a public apology this week for what they say is a long history of the country’s mistreatment of a religious group called the Baha’i.

The apology — titled, “We are ashamed” — was published on the Web site Iranian.com and was signed by 42 Iranian professionals, all of whom do not live in Iran.

“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,” the letter says.

In the letter, the group detailed incidents of violence and discrimination that it says the Iranian government has perpetrated against the Baha’i.

The Islamic republic has been condemned by human-rights activists and governments across the globe for its treatment of the Baha’i.

The Baha’i movement has said that six of its followers were arrested in January in Tehran, including one who works with Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi, the lawyer and activist. Seven leaders of the group arrested in 2008 also remain in jail.

Members of Baha’i — who think they are targeted in the predominantly Shiite nation because of their faith — have faced arrests and other oppression over the years.

They say the persecution is part of a pattern that began in 1979. That’s when the monarchy of the Shah of Iran was toppled and an Islamic republic was created.

The Baha’i — regarded as the largest non-Muslim religious minority in Iran — say they have 5 million members across the globe and about 300,000 in Iran.

The European Parliament passed a resolution in January that criticized Iran’s treatment of the Baha’i. The U.S. State Department also criticized Iran’s treatment of the Baha’i in a report last year.

The translation is now available in 5 languages, which would hopefully guarantee wider circulation by media outlets. Governments tend to perpetuate the belief that their persecution of minorities is in accordance with the will of the majority. But it’s time for the noble objectors to be given a voice.

Related posts:

1. Open Letter to Iranians by Baha’i Students Banned from Universities
2. Iran’s Secret Purges
3. Trial of 7 Baha’i leaders delayed yet again

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.

Related posts:

1. Final list of signatories
2. Call for access to education for all members of the Iranian Baha’i community
3. The Baha’is of Iran

For 5 years, Raouf Hindi has fought for the right to obtain birth certificates for his twins teenaged twins Imad and Nancy, but despite the landmark ruling last year, implementation was stalled by the challenges and appeals launched.

However, it is still early to declare a full victory for Egypt’s Baha’is. In two days, the Supreme Administrative Court is set to issue a final verdict on the appeal, but it is likely that that ruling will be in favour of Egypt’s Baha’is as well, as the appeal has no legal standing.

The lack of ID cards has rendered Egypt’s Baha’is has rendered them virtually non-existent in the eyes of the state, and we share with them their joy over this ruling, and join them in praying and hoping for a brighter future to come.

Related posts:

1. Postponed, again
2. Another favourable verdict in Egypt
3. Final ruling on identity cards to be delieverd on Jan 17