Category: Religious Minorities

Three Detained Baha’is Released in Shiraz, Five Others Still Detained 

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i International Community, Bahais, Bahyeh Manavipour, Bani Dugal, Elhan Hashemi, Hanan Hashemi, Misagh Manavipour, Negar Ighani and Zhila Sharafi Nasrabadi, Niloofar Hosseini, Shaghayegh Khaneh-Zarin

On July 26, 2022, three detained Baha’i residents of Shiraz, Shaghayegh Khaneh-Zarin, Negar Ighani and Zhila Sharafi Nasrabadi were released from prison on bail. 

Five other Baha’is, Niloofar Hosseini, Misagh Manavipour, Bahyeh Manavipour, Elhan Hashemi and Hanan Hashemi are still held at a detention facility known as Number 100 in Shiraz. These individuals had been arrested on July 19, 2022.

An informed source told HRANA that the detained individuals are still under interrogation and the charges against them are unknown so far. 

According to the Baha’i International Community (BIC), during the last month, 44 Baha’is were arrested, arraigned or imprisoned.

Bani Dugal, BIC’s Principal Representative to the United Nations said “Baha’is in Iran have experienced ongoing persecution for their beliefs over the last 44 years, But the present acceleration is beyond troubling”

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Eight Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Shiraz and Yazd

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Bahyeh Manavipour, Elhan Hashemi, Hanan Hashemi, Misagh Manavipour, Nematollah Shadpour, Niloofar Hosseini, Nima Shadpour, Shafigh Eslami

On July 19, security forces arrested three Baha’i residents of Yazd identified as Nematollah Shadpour, Nima Shadpour and Shafigh Eslami, searched their houses, and confiscated their personal belongings.

On the same day, five Baha’i individuals were also arrested in Shiraz, which HRANA has identified as Niloofar Hosseini, Bahyeh Manavipour, Misagh Manavipour, Elhan Hashemi, and Hanan Hashemi.

An informed source told HRANA that the authorities had also summoned Mishagh Manavipur’s sister.

Shaghayegh Khaneh-Zarin, Negar Ighani and Zhila Sharafi Nasrabadi had also been arrested in Shiraz and are still in detention. 

The reason for these arrests and the whereabouts of the above-mentioned individuals are unknown so far.

Baha’i Citizen Haleh Gholami Imprisoned

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i resident, Evin Prison, Haleh Gholami, ward 209

Haleh Gholami, a Baha’i resident of Tehran, was taken to Evin Prison to serve her two-year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on July 16, 2022, Haleh Gholami was taken to Evin Prison for sentencing.

Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Gholami to two years in prison on the charge of “acting against national security.” In her trial, membership in Baha’i organizations was presented as an act against national security.

On January 27, 2017, Gholami was arrested and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On March 6, 2017, she was released on bail until the end of the legal proceeding.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Four Christian Converts Arrested in Neyshabur

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Mashhad Prison, Neyshabur Prison, Reza Radmanesh

On July 17, 2022, four Christian converts were arrested by security forces in Neyshabur City.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mohabat News, IRGC has arrested four Christian converts in Neyshabur City.

Security forces raided a home church gathering and arrested 12  of the 16 in attendance. Eight individuals were released after signing a letter of commitment and four others remained detained.

Three of the individuals informed their families that they have been transferred to Neyshabur Prison. However, one individual identified as Reza Radmanesh, age 65, was transferred to Mashhad Prison.

The persecution of Christian converts stands in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief and freedom to express it openly or secretly.

Three Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Bojnurd

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Faran Senai, HRANA, Shayan Senai, Sholeh Shahidi

On July 13, three Baha’i individuals, Sholeh Shahidi and her two sons Faran and Shayan Senaei, were arrested in Bojnurd, North Khorasan Province. The agents searched their house and confiscated some of their personal belongings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on July 13, 2022, Baha’i individuals, Sholeh Shahidi and her two sons Faran and Shayan Senaei were arrested and transferred to an unidentified location.

An informed source told HRANA that another Baha’i citizen’s house, whose identity remains unknown, has also been searched and some of her belongings have been confiscated.

The reason for these arrests, the charges, and the individuals’ whereabouts are unknown so far.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

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Three Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Shiraz

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Negar Ighani, Shaghayegh Khaneh-Zarin, Zhila Sharafi Nasrabadi

On Sunday, June 26, 2022, three Baha’i citizens, Shaghayegh Khaneh-Zarin, Negar Ighani and Zhila Sharafi Nasrabadi were arrested by security forces in Shiraz and taken to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, June 26, 2022, security forces arrested three Baha’i individuals in Shiraz.

An informed source told HRANA that  Khane-Zarin’s father had a heart attack due to stress during  his daughter’s arrest and was hospitalized in Shiraz.”

The reason for these arrests and the charges are unknown so far.

Also, Negar Iqani was denied entry to the University Entrance Exam of 2019, even though she is an employee of the institution. 

Even though Iran’s law recognized the right to education indiscriminately for all citizens, the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution of Iran bars Baha’is from working at official institutions and participating in higher education.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Baha’i Children’s Rights Activist Samin Ehsani Imprisoned

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Afghan children, Baha'i faith, children's rights activist, Samin Ehsani

On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Baha’i children’s rights activist Samin Ehsani was arrested and taken to Evin Prison to serve a five-year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Baha’i children’s rights activist Samin Ehsani was taken to Evin Prison for sentencing.

Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Ehsani to five years in prison on the charges of “propaganda against the regime”, and “membership in the heretical Baha’i sect”. The verdict was issued on July 1, 2012. The verdict was upheld on appeal.

Samin Ehsani has been active in running educational courses for Afghan children who do not have access to education in Iran. During the trial, her activities were presented as an example of the charges.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

26 Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to a Total of 85 Years in Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Exile, Iranian Constitution

Last Wednesday, June 8, 2022, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced 26 Baha’i citizens to a total of 85 years in prison as well as additional punishments such as a ban from leaving the country and residing in exile.  

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 26 Baha’i individuals were sentenced to a total of 85 years in prison.

During the third court session held last Wednesday, these individuals were sentenced to a total of 85 years in prison and a ban from leaving the country for 2 years. Of the 26 defendants, 11 were sentenced to five years and 15 to two years in prison.

These individuals have been charged with “assembly and collusion to act against national security”. During the trial, holding gatherings in poor neighborhoods or tourist districts under the guise of addressing issues such as water crisis and other social issues have been presented for this charge.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Seven Christians Sentenced to a Total of 28 Years in Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Farhad Khazai, Iranian Christians, Joseph Shahbazian, Maasoumeh Ghasemi, Mina Khajawi and Maliheh Nazari, Salar Eshraghi Moghaddam, Somayeh Sadegh

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced seven Christians Joseph Shahbazian, Salar Eshraghi Moghaddam, Farhad Khazai, Somayeh Sadegh, Maasoumeh Ghasemi, Mina Khajawi and Maliheh Nazari to a total of 28 years in prison, a fine, ban from leaving the country, and other social deprivations.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, seven Christians were sentenced to a total of 27 years in prison.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on Tuesday, June 7, Joseph Shahbazian was sentenced to 10 years in prison, a ban from leaving the country and membership in civil and political groups and other social limitations. This court has sentenced Mina Khajawi and Maliheh Nazari each to 6 years, Salar Eshraghi Moghaddam to four years and Maasoumeh Ghasemi and Fardhan Khazai to one year in prison. Somayeh Sadegh has also been fined 40 million tomans.

All these defendants have been charged with “disrupting national security through preaching Evangelical Christianity and creating home churches.”

In July of 2020, security forces arrested Iranian-Armenian Joseph Shahbazian, age 57, with several Christian converts in a religious ceremony in Tehran. He was later temporarily released on 2 billion tomans.

Convictions against Three Christians Upheld on Appeal

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Abbas Soori, Anoushavan Avodian, Iman Soleimani, Iranian Christians, Maryam Mohammadi

The Court of Appeals upheld a ten-year prison sentence and other convictions against Christian Citizen Anoushavan Avodian. Additionally, in this legal case, two other Christian converts, Abbas Soori and Maryam Mohammadi had been fined 50 million tomans, which all were upheld on appeal.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Article 18, the convictions against three Iranian Christians were upheld by the Court of Appeals.

In May of 2022, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Afshari, sentenced Anoushavan Avodian to 10 years in prison, paying a fine and restrictions of rights for 10 years. Two other defendants of this case, Abbas Soori and Maryam Mohammadi were fined 50 million tomans, prohibited from membership in political groups, banned from leaving the country, and residing in Tehran Province and neighboring provinces. Also, they were ordered to appear once every three weeks at the Supervision and Follow Up office of the Judiciary for two years.

The above individuals have been convicted on the charge of “organizing and running evangelical “Zionist” home church with the intention to act against national security,” and, ” owning satellite dish and receivers.”

Their Attorney Iman Soleimani told HRANA: “All arguments provided by the defense lawyer in the court have been ignored and the verdict was issued based on the judicial officers’ workflow.”

The prosecution of Christian converts stands in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief and freedom to express it openly or secretly.