{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-archive-page-jsx","path":"/archive/49/","result":{"pageContext":{"strings":{"about":"About","additional_articles":"Additional Articles","administration":"Administration","africa":"Africa","all_bahaiorg_sites":"All Bahai.org Sites","all_sites":"All sites","all_sites_arising_serve":"Arising to Serve","all_sites_arising_serve_caption":"A film recounting highlights of the 41 regional Bahá’í conferences called by the Universal House of Justice in 2008","all_sites_bahai_org":"The official website of the worldwide Bahá’í community","all_sites_bahai_org_library":"Bahá’í Reference Library","all_sites_bahai_org_library_caption":"The authoritative online source of Bahá’í writings","all_sites_bahaullah_org":"The Life of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bahaullah_org_caption":"A photographic narrative of the life of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bic":"Bahá’í International Community Representative Offices","all_sites_bic_caption":"The official website of the Bahá’í International Community’s Representative Offices. The site contains news and information about recent activity and provides access to BIC statements, reports, and other publications","all_sites_bicentenary":"Bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bicentenary_bab":"Bicentenary of the Birth of The Báb","all_sites_bicentenary_caption":"The official international website for the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_frontiers_learning":"Frontiers of Learning","all_sites_frontiers_learning_caption":"This film captures the insights and experiences of people from four communities across the world whose efforts to build vibrant communities are at the frontiers of learning","all_sites_light_to_the_world":"Light to the World","all_sites_light_to_the_world_caption":"A feature film about the life and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_media_bank":"Bahá’í Media Bank","all_sites_media_bank_caption":"Photographs available for downloading","all_sites_national_communities":"National Bahá’í Communities","all_sites_national_communities_caption":"A page containing links to the websites of many national Bahá’í communities from around the world","all_sites_news_bahai_org_caption":"The official news website of the worldwide Bahá’í community","all_sites_title":"Official Bahá’í Sites","all_sites_universalhouseofjustice_org":"The Universal House of Justice","all_sites_universalhouseofjustice_org_caption":"Information about the Universal House of Justice and selected statements and letters","all_sites_widening_embrace":"A Widening Embrace","all_sites_widening_embrace_caption":"A documentary film about the community-building efforts of the Bahá’í world","americas":"Americas","android":"Android","archive_results_to_of_a":"Results","archive_results_to_of_b":"to","archive_results_to_of_c":"of","asia":"Asia","back_to_story":"Back to Story","bahai_international_community":"Bahá'í International Community","bahai_media_bank":"Bahá’í Media Bank","bahai_reference_library":"Bahá’í Reference Library","bahai_world_centre":"Bahá’í World Centre","bahai_world_news_service":"Bahá’í World News Service","bahai_world_news_service_bwns":"Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","bahaiorg_home":"Bahai.org Home","bahais_semnan":"The Bahá’ís of Semnan","battambang_cambodia_house_worship":"House of Worship in Battambang, Cambodia","battambang_cambodia_temple":"Battambang, Cambodia Temple Inauguration","before_downloading_terms":"Before downloading please refer to the [Terms of use](/legal/).","bic_un_office":"Bahá’í International Community\nUN Office","brief_history":"Brief history","bwns_noTranslation":"BWNS","cdn_documentlibrary_path":"http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/","cdn_images_path":"//bwns.imgix.net/","chile_house_worship":"Chile House of Worship","chile_temple":"Chile Temple Inauguration","close":"Close","closed_doors_denial_education_iran":"Closed Doors: Denial of Education in Iran","comma":",","comprehensive_report":"Comprehensive report","contact":"Contact","contact_h1":"Contacting the Bahá’í World News Service","contact_h2":"Contacting Bahá’í institutions","contact_h3":"Reporting technical problems","contact_information":"Contact Information","contact_p1":"General inquiries about BWNS can be directed to [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org). Information regarding news and media contacts is available in the [Media Information](/media-information/) section.","contact_p2":"The Bahá’í Faith is established in more than 100,000 localities in virtually every country and territory around the world. At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are guided by National Spiritual Assemblies, and a list of websites for many national Bahá’í communities can be found at the [National Communities page](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/) on Bahai.org.","contact_p3":"To report a technical problem with this site, please send a detailed description and screenshot of the issue, along with the address of the page where it occurred, to [webmaster@bahai.org](mailto:webmaster@bahai.org). Please note that this email address exists to receive reports of technical problems with the site and it is not possible to respond to other queries through this facility.","copy_link":"Copy Link","did_not_match_any_documents_showing_results_for":"did not match any documents. Showing results for","did_you_mean":"Did you mean:","download":"Download","download_highest_resolution":"Download highest resolution","email":"Email","email_address":"Email Address","enlarge":"Enlarge","error_page":"Error Occurred","error_page_p1":"Sorry. An error has occurred with your request. It would help us if you let us know what you were trying to do when this error occurred by using our [contact form](https://www.bahai.org/contact/).","europe":"Europe","featured_stories":"Featured stories","featured_videos":"Featured videos","follow_updates_via_instagram_twitter":"Follow the Bahá’í World News Service on Twitter and Instagram for regular updates and stories","from_bwns_archive":"From the Bahá’í World News Service archive","get_notified_stories":"Get notified of stories","highest_resolution":"Highest resolution","historical_photographs":"Historical photographs","homepage_feature_audio_h2":"Recent podcast episodes","homepage_feature_audio_h3":"Audio versions of stories","homepage_feature_audio_p1":"Selected audio content from around the globe","homepage_feature_h1":"Subscribe to BWNS Updates","houses_worship":"Houses of Worship","human_rights_iran":"Human Rights in Iran","images":"images","ios":"iOS","iran_news_stories":"Iran News Stories","key_terms_facts":"Key terms and facts","latest_headlines":"Latest headlines","latest_video_category":"Latest","legal":"Legal","legal_h1":"Privacy","legal_h2":"Terms of Use","legal_information":"Legal Information","legal_li_1":"They must at all times be attributed to the Bahá’í World News Service.","legal_li_2":"Photographs and stories cannot be used in any way (including, without limitation, suggesting an association with or endorsement of any product, service, opinion or cause) that conflicts with the intent and premise of the original source.","legal_li_3":"Photographs may be edited for size only. Captions must remain with the photographs at all times.","legal_li_4":"The Bahá’í World News Service will not be responsible to any person or organization for any liability for any direct, incidental,  consequential, indirect, or punitive damages that may result from any access to or use of the stories and/or photographs on our site.","legal_li_5":"Although this blanket permission to reproduce BWNS material is given freely such that no special permission is required, the Bahá’í World News Service retains full copyright protection for its stories and photographs under all applicable national and international laws.","legal_p1_1":"On this Web site we try to ensure your privacy. We collect only personal information provided by you on a voluntary basis, in order to respond to your queries and to send you any additional information and material that you request.","legal_p1_2":"Visitors to this Web site are not tracked, except to produce aggregate statistical data that does not identify individual users. Where we must use cookies to provide essential functionality, these are not used to track your use of the site or to store personally-identifiable information. Steps have been taken to ensure that all information collected from you will remain secure, free from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. Please keep in mind that if you leave this site via a link, the other site may have a different policy regarding privacy.","legal_p1_3a":"We occasionally update this privacy policy and encourage you to review it periodically. If you wish to correct your personal information, or have questions regarding this policy, please send an email message to","legal_p1_3b":"or call the Bahá’í World News Service at +972 (4) 835-8412, between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. GMT +2, Sunday through Thursday.","legal_p2_1":"All stories and photographs produced by the Bahá’í World News Service may be freely reprinted, e-mailed, posted to the World Wide Web and otherwise reproduced by any individual or organization, subject to the following restrictions:","legal_p2_2":"The Bahá’í World News Service is an agency of the Bahá’í International Community, a nongovernmental organization that represents and encompasses the five million members of the Bahá’í Faith.","links_other_websites":"Links to other Web sites","listen":"Listen","listen_bwns":"Listen to BWNS","load_more_results":"Load more results","media_bank":"Media Bank","media_information":"Media Information","media_information_about_bwns":"About BWNS","media_information_administration_h2":"International","media_information_administration_h3":"National","media_information_administration_h4":"Local","media_information_administration_p1":"The Bahá’í Faith is administered by a series of elected bodies at the local, national, and international levels. There is no class of ecclesiastics or clergy.","media_information_administration_p2":"The Universal House of Justice is the international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His book of laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years at the International Bahá’í Convention, where members of the National Spiritual Assemblies (see below) around the world serve as delegates. The Universal House of Justice was first elected in 1963. Its permanent seat is on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_administration_p3":"At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the National Spiritual Assembly, a nine-member elected council responsible for guiding, co-ordinating, and stimulating the activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual members of the Bahá’í community within a given country. The responsibilities of a National Spiritual Assembly include channelling the community’s financial resources, fostering the growth and vibrancy of the national Bahá’í community, supervising the affairs of the community including its social and economic development activities and its properties, overseeing relations with government, resolving questions from individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and strengthening the participation of the Bahá’í community in the life of society at the national level.","media_information_administration_p4":"At the local level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the Local Spiritual Assembly. Each Local Assembly consists of nine members who are chosen in annual elections. As with all other elected Bahá’í institutions, the Assembly functions as a body and makes decisions through consultation. The responsibilities of the Local Spiritual Assembly include promoting the spiritual education of children and young people, strengthening the spiritual and social fabric of Bahá’í community life, assessing and utilizing the community’s resources, and ensuring that the energies and talents of community members contribute towards progress.","media_information_administration_p5":"In addition, the Bahá’í Faith has **counsellors**, appointed to five-year terms by the Universal House of Justice, who serve as advisers in countries and regions around the world. Currently there are 90 such counsellors assigned to specific countries or regions, and an additional nine counsellors who constitute the membership of the International Teaching Centre at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa.","media_information_administration_p6":"The Bahá’í International Community is a non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations (UN) as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_a":"the Seat of the Universal House of Justice,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_b":"the International Teaching Centre,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_c":"the Centre for the Study of the Texts,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_d":"the International Archives Building.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p1":"The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahá’í Faith is permanently established in the Acre-Haifa area of northern Israel, following the explicit instructions of Bahá’u’lláh.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p2":"The burial place, or shrine, of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre and that of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa are the holiest spots on earth for Bahá’ís. Other sites associated with the life of Bahá’u’lláh as well as the burial site of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are revered by Bahá’ís as holy places.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p3":"The shrines are the object of pilgrimage for thousands of Bahá’ís each year.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p4":"The administrative offices are positioned in an Arc across Mount Carmel in Haifa and include:","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p5":"Also in Haifa are the Bahá’í International Community’s Secretariat and Office of Public Information.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p6":"The Bahá’í World Centre is known for the gardens surrounding the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre, and also for the gardens and terraces surrounding the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p7":"At this time the Shrine of the Báb is open to the public.","media_information_brief_history_p1":"The Bahá’í Faith traces its origin to 1844 and the announcement by a young man, Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad, in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran), that He had been sent by God to prepare humanity for a new age and the imminent appearance of another Messenger even greater than Himself.","media_information_brief_history_p10":"During the 40 years of His exile, Bahá’u’lláh revealed a series of books, tablets, and letters that today form the core of the **holy writings of the Bahá’í Faith**. Comprising the equivalent of some 100 volumes, the writings of Bahá’u’lláh describe the nature of God and the purpose of human existence, give new religious laws, and outline a vision for creating a peaceful and prosperous global society.","media_information_brief_history_p11":"In His will, Bahá’u’lláh named His eldest son, ‘Abbás Effendi (1844-1921), as the head of the Bahá’í Faith and authorized interpreter of His teachings. ‘Abbás Effendi, known to Bahá’ís as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (“Servant of Bahá”), became well-known in the Haifa/Acre area for his charitable works, and he also traveled through Europe and North America to encourage nascent Bahá’í communities and to proclaim Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to the general public. The writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are considered part of the sacred scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_brief_history_p12":"‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away in 1921. In his will he had designated his grandson **Shoghi Effendi** (1897-1957) as his successor, with the title of **Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith**. During the ministry of Shoghi Effendi, the religion spread around the world, and its local and national administrative institutions were established. With the passing of Shoghi Effendi in 1957, the line of hereditary leaders of the Bahá’í Faith came to an end.","media_information_brief_history_p13":"Following provisions established by Bahá’u’lláh, in 1963 the **Universal House of Justice** was elected to direct the affairs of the worldwide Bahá’í community. The nine members of the Universal House of Justice are elected every five years by the members of the Bahá’í national administrative bodies around the world.","media_information_brief_history_p2":"Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad took the title of the **Báb** (meaning “Gate” in Arabic) and said the one whose coming He foretold would be the universal Manifestation of God sent to inaugurate an age of peace and enlightenment as promised in all the world’s religions.","media_information_brief_history_p3":"The Báb’s teachings, which spread rapidly, were viewed as heretical by the clergy and government of Persia. More than 20,000 of His followers, known as Bábís, perished in a series of massacres throughout the country.","media_information_brief_history_p4":"The Báb Himself was publicly executed in the city of Tabriz on 9 July 1850.","media_information_brief_history_p5":"Bahá’ís consider the Báb to be both an independent Messenger of God and the forerunner of **Bahá’u’lláh** (“the Glory of God” in Arabic), who is the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_brief_history_p6":"Bahá’u’lláh, whose name was Mírzá Husayn ‘Alí, was born into a noble family in Tehran on 12 November 1817. In His mid-20s, He declined a life of privilege and became one of the leading disciples of the Báb.","media_information_brief_history_p7":"In 1852, in the course of the persecution of the Bábís, He was arrested, beaten, and thrown into an infamous dungeon in Tehran. After four months, He was released and banished from His native land – the beginning of 40 years of exile and imprisonment.","media_information_brief_history_p8":"He was first sent to Baghdad, where He and His companions stayed for 10 years. In 1863, on the eve of His further banishment to what is now Turkey and then to the Holy Land, Bahá’u’lláh announced that He was the Universal Messenger of God foretold by the Báb.","media_information_brief_history_p9":"In 1868, Bahá’u’lláh arrived in the Holy Land with about 70 family members and followers, sentenced by the Ottoman authorities to perpetual confinement in the penal colony of Acre. The order of confinement was never lifted, but because of the growing recognition of His outstanding character, He eventually was able to move outside the walls of the prison city. He lived His final years at a country home called Bahjí, where He passed away in 1892. He was interred there, and His shrine is the holiest place on earth for Bahá’ís.","media_information_description":"Contacts, facts, style guide,\ngeneral information, and photos","media_information_h1":"National and local","media_information_h2":"International","media_information_h2_a":"Bahá’í World News Service","media_information_h2_b":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_h2_c":"Bahá’í International Community - United Nations Offices:","media_information_h2_e":"For languages other than English:","media_information_houses_worship_li_1":"Wilmette, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1953.","media_information_houses_worship_li_2":"Kampala, Uganda. Opened in 1961.","media_information_houses_worship_li_3":"Sydney, Australia. Opened in 1961.","media_information_houses_worship_li_4":"Frankfurt, Germany. Opened in 1964.","media_information_houses_worship_li_5":"Panama City, Panama. Opened in 1972.","media_information_houses_worship_li_6":"Apia, Samoa. Opened in 1984.","media_information_houses_worship_li_7":"New Delhi, India. Opened in 1986.","media_information_houses_worship_li_8":"Santiago, Chile. Opened in 2016.","media_information_houses_worship_li_9":"Battambang, Cambodia. Opened in 2017.","media_information_houses_worship_li_10":"Norte del Cauca, Colombia. Opened in 2018.","media_information_houses_worship_li_11":"Matunda Soy, Kenya. Opened in 2021.","media_information_houses_worship_li_12":"Tanna, Vanuatu. Opened in 2021.","media_information_houses_worship_li_13":"Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opened in 2023.","media_information_houses_worship_li_14":"Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Opened in 2024.","media_information_houses_worship_p1":"Bahá’u’lláh designated Bahá’í Houses of Worship as spiritual gathering places for prayer and meditation around which will cluster social, humanitarian, educational, and scientific institutions. Eight continental, two national, and four local Bahá’í Houses of Worship have been built.","media_information_houses_worship_p2":"The physical structure of a House of Worship comprises a central building—a House of Worship—along with several dependencies. While the House of Worship forms the focal point of worship in a geographical area, its purpose is not solely to provide a place for prayer. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that, through the provision of education, healthcare and other services it is also to support the social and economic progress of the community and afford shelter, relief and assistance to those in need. In this connection, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá anticipated that subsidiary branches—such as a hospital, school, university, dispensary, and hospice—would gradually be added to a House of Worship. Bahá’u’lláh refers to the House of Worship as a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Arabic for “dawning place of the mention of God.”","media_information_houses_worship_p3":"Bahá’í Houses of Worship are located in:","media_information_houses_worship_p4":"Plans are underway to build a national House of Worship in Brazil, Canada, and Malawi. A local House of Worship is also being constructed in Batouri, Cameroon; Bihar Sharif, India; Kanchanpur, Nepal; and Mwinilunga, Zambia. At the local level, meetings for worship are held regularly in Bahá’í centers and in the homes of believers all over the world.","media_information_key_terms_facts_h1":"Name of the religion and of the organization – the Bahá’í Faith","media_information_key_terms_facts_h2":"Founder of the Bahá’í Faith – Bahá’u’lláh","media_information_key_terms_facts_h3":"Year of founding – 1844","media_information_key_terms_facts_h4":"Head of the religion – the Universal House of Justice","media_information_key_terms_facts_h5":"Number of Bahá’ís – more than 5 million","media_information_key_terms_facts_h6":"Description of the religion and key beliefs","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_a":"the unity of the races and elimination of prejudice,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_b":"the equality of women and men,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_c":"universal education,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_d":"the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_e":"a spiritual solution to economic problems,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_f":"establishment of a universal auxiliary language,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_g":"the harmony of science and religion,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_h":"the independent investigation of truth,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_i":"the creation of a world commonwealth of nations that will keep the peace through collective security.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_a":"The Bahá’í Faith is an independent world religion.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_b":"A member is called a Bahá’í (plural: Bahá’ís). It is also correct to say that someone is a “member of the Bahá’í Faith,” a “follower of the Bahá’í Faith,” a “follower of Bahá’u’lláh,” or a member of the Bahá’í community of a given locality.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_c":"The term “Bahá’í International Community” refers to the non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations (UN) as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p2":"Bahá’ís consider Bahá’u’lláh to be the most recent in a line of great religious teachers, or Messengers of God, that includes Abraham, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Krishna, Muhammad, Moses, Zoroaster, and others. Bahá’u’lláh—the name is Arabic for “Glory of God”—was born in 1817 in Tehran, Iran, and passed away in 1892 in Acre, Israel. The coming of Bahá’u’lláh was announced by the Báb (Arabic for “Gate”), also considered by Bahá’ís to be a divine Messenger.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p3":"There are a number of important dates in the establishment of the Bahá’í Faith, but the first announcement by the Báb of the new religion came in 1844.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p4":"The Universal House of Justice is the international governing council of the Bahá’í community, an elected body of nine men. Its seat is at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Around the world, in almost all countries, a National Spiritual Assembly oversees the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith in that country, and Local Spiritual Assemblies oversee local affairs.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_a":"The Bahá’í Faith is an independent, monotheistic religion established in virtually every country of the world. Bahá’ís believe that the world’s major religions represent unfolding chapters in God’s teachings for humankind, and that the writings of Bahá’u’lláh represent God’s guidance for this age.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_b":"Bahá’u’lláh’s central teaching is the unity of humanity under one God.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_c":"Among the many Bahá’í principles are the following:","media_information_key_terms_facts_p7":"For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_li_a_1":"Phone (office): +972 (4) 835-8412","media_information_li_a_2":"E-mail, for news inquiries: [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org)","media_information_li_b_1":"Mr. Saleem Vaillaincourt (London)","media_information_li_b_2":"Senior information officer","media_information_li_b_3":"Phone (office): +1 (212) 803-2544","media_information_li_b_4":"E-mail: [media@bic.org](mailto:media@bic.org)","media_information_li_c_1":"Ms. Bani Dugal (New York)","media_information_li_c_2":"Principal Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations","media_information_li_c_3":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_li_c_4":"Phone: +1 (212) 803-2500","media_information_li_c_5":"After-hours phone: +1 (914) 329-3020","media_information_li_c_6":"E-mail: [uno-nyc@bic.org](mailto:uno-nyc@bic.org)","media_information_li_d_1":"Ms. Simin Fahandej (Geneva)","media_information_li_d_2":"Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations","media_information_li_d_3":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_li_d_4":"Phone: +41 (27) 798-5400","media_information_li_d_5":"After-hours phone: +41 (78) 880-0759","media_information_li_d_6":"E-mail: [geneva@bic.org](mailto:geneva@bic.org)","media_information_li_e_1":"Persian – Simin Fahandej, +41 (27) 798-5400","media_information_li_e_2":"French – Rachel Bayani, +32 (475) 750394","media_information_li_e_3":"To arrange other languages +972 (4) 835-8412","media_information_media_contacts":"Media Contacts","media_information_p1":"Editors, journalists, and other media professionals are encouraged to contact the National Office of the Bahá’ís of their own country. See [National Communities](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/).","media_information_p2":"BWNS reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","media_information_p3":"Information about the Bahá’í Faith is available at [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org/)","media_information_p_native":"The website for BWNS is located at [news.bahai.org](https://news.bahai.org/)","media_information_photographs_p1":"To arrange for photographs, you are encouraged to contact the office of the National Spiritual Assembly of the  Bahá’ís of your country. See [National Communities](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/).","media_information_photographs_p2":"For more information, or for international photographs, contact the Bahá’í World Centre:","media_information_photographs_p3":"Phone: +972 (4) 835-8412  \n            E-mail: [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org)","media_information_photographs_p4":"Photographs here may be downloaded and published, with photo credit given to the Bahá’í World Centre. [Terms of use](https://news.bahai.org/legal/).","media_information_photographs_p5":"Additional photos are available through the [Bahá’í Media Bank](https://media.bahai.org/). Images attached to articles in the [Bahá’í World News Service](https://news.bahai.org/) main site may also be downloaded.","media_information_photographs_p6":"Photographs of Bahá’ís imprisoned in Iran are available in the [Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html) section of this Web site.","media_information_sidecontent_h1":"Bahá’ís in Iran","media_information_sidecontent_li":"Updates, background, photos","media_information_statistics_p1":"There are more than 5 million Bahá’ís in the world.","media_information_statistics_p2":"The Bahá’í Faith is established in virtually every country and in many dependent territories and overseas departments of countries. Bahá’ís reside in well over 100,000 localities. About 2,100 indigenous tribes, races, and ethnic groups are represented in the Bahá’í community.","media_information_statistics_p3":"There are currently 188 councils at the national level that oversee the work of communities. A network of over 300 training institutes, offering formal programs of Bahá’í education, span the globe.","media_information_statistics_p4":"Of the several thousand Bahá’í efforts in social and economic development, more than 900 are large-scale, sustained projects, including more than 600 schools and over 70 development agencies.","media_information_statistics_p5":"There are currently 14 Bahá’í Houses of Worship – in Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Germany, India, Kenya, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Uganda, the United States, and Vanuatu. Plans are underway to build a national House of Worship in Brazil, Canada, and Malawi. Local Houses of Worship are also being constructed in Batouri, Cameroon; Bihar Sharif, India; Kanchanpur, Nepal; and Mwinilunga, Zambia. At the local level, meetings for worship are held regularly in Bahá’í centers and in the homes of believers all over the world.","media_information_statistics_p6":"The Bahá’í International Community has been registered with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_statistics_p7":"Bahá’í writings and other literature have been translated into more than 800 languages.","media_information_statistics_p8":"Each year, around one million people visit the Bahá’í Shrine, terraces, and gardens on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.","media_information_statistics_p9":"In Iran, where the Bahá’í Faith originated, there are now about 300,000 Bahá’ís, constituting the largest religious minority in that country.","media_information_style_guide_h1":"Pronunciation guide","media_information_style_guide_h2":"Style guide and glossary","media_information_style_guide_p1":"**Bahá’í:**   Ba-HIGH  \n            **Bahá’u’lláh:**   Ba-ha-ul-LAH  \n            **Báb:**   Bahb (Bob)  \n            **‘Abdu’l-Bahá:**   Abdul ba-HAH  \n            **Naw-Rúz:**   Naw Rooz  \n            **Ridván:**   REZ-vahn","media_information_style_guide_p2_1":"**‘Abdu’l-Bahá** (1844-1921) – The son of Bahá’u’lláh who was the head of the Bahá’í Faith from 1892 to 1921. Bahá’u’lláh in His will had designated ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His successor. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá occupies a special station as the authoritative interpreter of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and as the perfect example of how a Bahá’í should live. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled widely through Europe and North America from 1911-1913, explaining his Father’s teachings in talks, interviews, and addresses at universities, churches, temples, synagogues, and missions for the poor. (Bahá’ís capitalize pronouns—for example, “He”—that refers to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá out of respect for his special station. Such pronouns are not capitalized in this guide in deference to international journalistic style and also to avoid confusion with Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb, who are considered to be divine Prophets.) For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_10":"**Bahá’í Faith** – The correct term for the religion is the Bahá’í Faith. It is an independent, monotheistic religion established in virtually every country of the world. It is not a sect of another religion. In a list of major religions, it would look like this: Hinduism, Zoroastrianism,  Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_style_guide_p2_11":"**Bahá’í International Community** – The Bahá’í International Community is a non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York. For more information, see [bic.org](https://www.bic.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_12":"**Bahá’í World Centre** – The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahá’í Faith, comprising the holy places in the Haifa/Acre area in northern Israel and the Arc of administrative buildings on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The Bahá’í World Centre itself uses the spelling “Centre”; elsewhere both “Centre” and “Center” are used, depending on the custom of the country.","media_information_style_guide_p2_13":"**Bahá’u’lláh** – The founder of the Bahá’í Faith, who lived from 1817 to 1892, considered by Bahá’ís to be the most recent divine Messenger, or Manifestation of God, in a line of great religious figures that includes Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Moses, Muhammad, Zoroaster, the Báb, and others. Bahá’u’lláh was born in Tehran in present-day Iran, and passed away near Acre, in what is now Israel. “Bahá’u’lláh” is a title that means the “Glory of God” in Arabic; His name was Mírzá Husayn-‘Alí. His writings, which would equal about a hundred volumes, form the basis of the Bahá’í teachings. For more information, see [Bahai.org](http://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_14":"**Bahjí** – The place near Acre where the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh (His burial place) is located, as well as the mansion that was His last residence and surrounding gardens. It is a place of pilgrimage for Bahá’ís. The word “Bahjí” is Arabic for “delight.”","media_information_style_guide_p2_15":"**children’s classes** – Classes in moral education, open to all, that are provided for children, operated at the community level by the Bahá’í training institute.","media_information_style_guide_p2_16":"**Convention** – See [International Bahá’í Convention](#internationalbahaiconvention) and [National Bahá’í Convention](#nationalbahaicconvention).","media_information_style_guide_p2_18":"**counsellor** – An adviser appointed by the Universal House of Justice who serves in a particular geographic area or at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. At present, there are 90 counsellors assigned to specific countries or regions, and nine counsellors who form the membership of the International Teaching Centre at the  Bahá’í World Centre. Appointments are for five years.","media_information_style_guide_p2_19":"**devotional meetings** – Gatherings, often in people’s homes, for prayers and to read the sacred writings of the Bahá’í Faith and other religions. Usually undertaken as an individual initiative.","media_information_style_guide_p2_2":"**accent marks** – Bahá’í, Bahá’u’lláh, and other names are written with accent marks, but many publications and websites do not have the facility for using such marks.","media_information_style_guide_p2_20":"**fast, the** – A period during which Bahá’ís abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sundown during the Bahá’í month of ‘Alá’, from 2 March to 20 March. Bahá’u’lláh enjoined His followers to pray and fast during this period. The sick, the traveler, and pregnant women, among others, are exempt.","media_information_style_guide_p2_21":"**feast** – See [Nineteen Day Feast](#nineteendayfeast).","media_information_style_guide_p2_22":"**Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith** – See [Shoghi Effendi](#shoghieffendi).","media_information_style_guide_p2_23":"**Haifa** – The city in northern Israel that, along with nearby Acre, is the location of the Bahá’í World Centre. The international administrative buildings of the Bahá’í Faith (including the Seat of the Universal House of Justice), the Shrine of the Báb, and surrounding terraces and gardens are all located on Mount Carmel in the heart of Haifa.","media_information_style_guide_p2_24":"**Holy days** – Eleven days that commemorate significant Bahá’í anniversaries. The nine holy days on which work is suspended are the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Birth of the Báb, Declaration of the Báb, Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Martyrdom of the Báb, Naw-Rúz, Ridván (a 12-day festival, of which the first, ninth and 12th days are holy days). The other two holy days are the Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. *See names of individual holy days.*","media_information_style_guide_p2_25":"**Holy Land** – The area associated with present-day Israel, which is holy to a number of religions, including to Bahá’ís. The resting places of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre and of the Báb in Haifa are, to Bahá’ís, the holiest spots on earth.","media_information_style_guide_p2_26":"**International Archives Building** – One of the buildings at the Bahá’í World Centre on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The repository of many sacred relics of the Bahá’í Faith, it is visited by thousands of Bahá’í pilgrims each year.","media_information_style_guide_p2_27":"**International Bahá’í Convention** – A gathering every five years of delegates from around the world to consult on the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith and elect the members of the Universal House of Justice. Members of the National Spiritual Assemblies serve as delegates.","media_information_style_guide_p2_28":"**International Teaching Centre** – One of the institutions at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. The International Teaching Centre has nine members, all counsellors appointed by the Universal House of Justice. Appointments are for five years.","media_information_style_guide_p2_29":"**Local Spiritual Assembly** – At the local level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the Local Spiritual Assembly. Each Local Assembly consists of nine members who are chosen in annual elections. As with all other elected Bahá’í institutions, the Assembly functions as a body and makes decisions through consultation. The responsibilities of the Local Spiritual Assembly include promoting the spiritual education of children and young people, strengthening the spiritual and social fabric of Bahá’í community life, assessing and utilizing the community’s resources, and ensuring that the energies and talents of community members contribute towards progress.","media_information_style_guide_p2_3":"**Acre**– English rendering of the name of the city north of Haifa where Bahá’u’lláh was exiled in 1868. He lived in or near the city until His passing in 1892. Bahá’ís often use the Arabic name, ‘Akká, which was the name in general use during the time of Bahá’u’lláh. In Hebrew the name is Akko.","media_information_style_guide_p2_30":"**Mount Carmel** – In Haifa, Israel, site of the Bahá’í World Centre, including several Bahá’í holy places, the most important of which is the Shrine of the Báb, and the buildings housing the administrative offices of the Bahá’í World Centre.","media_information_style_guide_p2_31":"**National Bahá’í Convention** – In each country, the annual gathering of elected delegates to discuss the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith in their jurisdiction and to elect the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.","media_information_style_guide_p2_32":"**National Spiritual Assembly** – At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the National Spiritual Assembly, a nine-member elected council responsible for guiding, co-ordinating, and stimulating the activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual members of the Bahá’í community within a given country. The responsibilities of a National Spiritual Assembly include channelling the community’s financial resources, fostering the growth and vibrancy of the national Bahá’í community, supervising the affairs of the community including its social and economic development activities and its properties, overseeing relations with government, resolving questions from individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and strengthening the participation of the Bahá’í community in the life of society at the national level.","media_information_style_guide_p2_33":"**Nineteen Day Feast** – An administrative gathering at the local level. The term refers to a spiritual “feast” of prayers,  consultation and fellowship. It is held every 19 days, on the first day of each Bahá’í month.","media_information_style_guide_p2_34":"**pilgrimage** – Each year thousands of Bahá’ís undertake pilgrimage, during which they forge a profound and lasting connection with the spiritual and administrative centre of their Faith, located in the Haifa-Acre area of what is now northern Israel. Bahá’í pilgrims pray and meditate at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the Shrine of the Báb, as well as in the beautiful gardens that surround them. They also draw inspiration from the time spent at various historical sites associated with the lives of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, as well as from visits to the edifices dedicated to the worldwide administration of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_style_guide_p2_35":"**progressive revelation** – The central belief that Manifestations of God have successively provided the guidance necessary for humanity’s social and spiritual evolution.","media_information_style_guide_p2_36":"**Regional Bahá’í Council** – In some countries, the National Spiritual Assembly assigns certain of its functions to Regional Bahá’í Councils, which serve a designated geographical area within the land in question. The responsibilities of a Regional Council may include carrying out policies of the National Spiritual Assembly, supervising progress of particular plans and projects, and taking steps to stimulate and coordinate the growth of the Bahá’í community within the region.","media_information_style_guide_p2_37":"**Shoghi Effendi** (1897-1957) – The head of the Bahá’í Faith from 1921 to 1957. His title is Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. He is the grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the great-grandson of Bahá’u’lláh. For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_38":"**Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh** – The resting place of the mortal remains of Bahá’u’lláh, located near the city of Acre in what is now Israel. The shrine is the holiest spot on earth to Bahá’ís and a place of pilgrimage.","media_information_style_guide_p2_39":"**Shrine of the Báb** – The resting place of the mortal remains of the Báb, located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. It is a sacred site to Bahá’ís and a place of pilgrimage.","media_information_style_guide_p2_4":"**‘Akká, Akko** – See entry above for “[Acre](#acre)”.","media_information_style_guide_p2_40":"**study circles** – A study circle is one of the principal elements of the process of distance education offered by the [Bahá’í training institute](https://www.bahai.org/action/response-call-bahaullah/training-institute). It is a small group that meets regularly to study the institute course materials.","media_information_style_guide_p2_41":"**Universal House of Justice** – The international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His book of laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years at the International Bahá’í Convention, where members of the National Spiritual Assemblies around the world serve as delegates. The Universal House of Justice was first elected in 1963. Its permanent seat is on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_style_guide_p2_5":"**Arc** – An area on Mount Carmel in Haifa, shaped like an arc, where the major international administrative buildings of the Bahá’í Faith, including the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, are situated.","media_information_style_guide_p2_6":"**Báb** – The title, meaning “Gate,” assumed by Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, the Founder of the Bábí Faith and the Forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh. Considered by Bahá’ís to be one of the twin Manifestations of God associated with the Bahá’í Faith. Born on 20 October 1819, the Báb proclaimed Himself to be the Promised One of Islam and said His mission was to announce the imminent coming of another Messenger even greater than Himself, namely Bahá’u’lláh. Because of these claims, the Báb was executed by firing squad in the public square in Tabriz on 9 July 1850. His remains were hidden in Iran for many years before being taken to Haifa/Acre in 1899 and buried on Mount Carmel in 1909. For more information, see [Bahai.org](http://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_7":"**Bábí Faith** – The religion founded by the Báb. After 1863 and the announcement by Bahá’u’lláh that He was the Messenger whose coming had been foretold by the Báb, the Bahá’í Faith gradually became established and most followers of the Báb began to call themselves Bahá’ís.","media_information_style_guide_p2_8":"**Badí‘ calendar** – The Bahá’í calendar, consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of intercalary days known as Ayyám-i-Há. The number of these intercalary days varies according to the timing of the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere in successive years. The first day of the year corresponds to the spring equinox. The Bahá’í era (B.E.) begins with 1844, the year of the Báb’s declaration. For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org/action/devotional-life/calendar).","media_information_style_guide_p2_9":"**Bahá’í** – (1) A noun referring to a member of the Bahá’í Faith. The plural is Bahá’ís. (2) An adjective describing a person, place, or thing related to the Bahá’í Faith. Examples: a Bahá’í book, the Bahá’í community, a Bahá’í holy day, a Bahá’í holy place.","media_reports":"Media Reports","menu":"Menu","meta_description_bwns":"The Bahá’í World News Service - BWNS - The official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community, reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","minutes_short":"min","mobile_app":"Mobile app","national_bahai_communities":"National Bahá’í Communities","news_email":"news@bahai.org","news_service_home":"BWNS Home","no_matches_for":"No matches for","no_results_for":"No results for","number_of":"of","oceania":"Oceania","official_news_site":"Official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community","one_country":"One Country","other_bahai_sites":"Other Bahá’í Sites","other_sites":"Other sites","other_stories":"Other Stories","overview_section":"Overview of this Section","page_link":"Page link","photographs":"Photographs","photographs_download":"Photographs for download","podcast":"Podcast","podcast_available":"Podcast available","podcast_description_bwns":"Reporting on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","podcast_p1":"The Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS) podcast reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","podcast_subscribe":"Subscribe to the BWNS podcast for additional audio content.","print":"Print","privacy":"Privacy","recent_articles":"Recent Articles","recent_headlines":"Recent headlines","recent_media_reports":"Recent media reports","recieve_stories_email":"Receive stories via email","related_stories":"Related Stories","results":"Results","return_top":"Return to top","rss":"RSS","search":"Search","search_bahai_reference_library":"Search the Bahá’í Reference Library","search_bahaiorg":"Search Bahai.org","search_news_service":"Search the News Service","section_shrine_of_abdulbaha_description":"Read reports on the progress","section_shrine_of_abdulbaha_title":"Coverage of Construction Work of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá","see_all":"See All","seven_bahais_leaders":"The Seven Bahá’í Leaders","share":"Share","share_this_article":"Share this article","share_this_page":"Share this page","show_more":"Show more","sign_up":"Sign Up","slideshow":"Slideshow","social_media_name_instagram":"Instagram","social_media_name_instagram_account":"bahaiworldnewsservice","social_media_name_twitter":"Twitter","social_media_name_twitter_account":"bahainews","special_reports":"SPECIAL REPORTS","special_reports_shrine_construction":"Coverage of construction work for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá","statistics":"Statistics","story_archive":"Story Archive","style_glossary_pronunciation_guide":"Style guide, glossary and pronunciation guide","subscribe":"Subscribe","subscribe-confirmation-message":"Thank you for your interest in Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe-souble-optin-email":"You will receive an email shortly, asking you to confirm your subscription.","subscribe_bot_submission":"This doesn't look like a human submission.","subscribe_check_email":"Please check your email to confirm your subscription!","subscribe_email_exists":"This email already exists! 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Any fair minded observer can see the duplicity, crass cynicism and vile motives of the Iranian authorities in their prosecution of this case.\n\n\"From the initial, illegal, 30-month detention of the seven – through the gross irregularities of their trial – to the judiciary's refusal to issue any official verdict to the defendants or their lawyers, the actions of the authorities have demonstrated at every turn that the decision to impose harsh sentences was predetermined,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\n*\"Loyal, law-abiding citizens\"*\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The seven, who were all members of a national-level ad hoc group that attended to the needs of Iran's Baha'i community, were incarcerated in Gohardasht prison – about 50 kilometers west of Tehran – in August last year, following a brief trial after which they were each sentenced to 20 years in jail.\n\nOne month later, the appeal court revoked three charges that accused the seven of engaging in acts of espionage, collaboration with the State of Israel, and the provision of classified documents to foreign nationals with the intention of undermining state security.\n\n\"At the same time, the judiciary – determined to find the Baha'is guilty of something – said that their service to the Baha'i community was basically illegal and fixed their sentences at 10 years,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\nThe refusal of the authorities to provide prison officials with the necessary documentation regarding the case has also precluded the prisoners from securing temporary leave on compassionate grounds or to obtain much needed medical attention and care, she added.\n\n\"The judiciary sanctimoniously claims to be serving the cause of justice while persistently trampling upon the rights of loyal, law-abiding citizens,\" she said.\n\n*International condemnation*\n\nThe imprisonment of the Baha'i leaders has provoked a worldwide chorus of condemnation from governments - including **Australia**, **Canada**, **France**, **Germany**, **Hungary**, **Ireland**, the **Netherlands**, **New Zealand**, the **United Kingdom** and the **United States**.\n\nThe **European Union** and the **President of the European Parliament** have also joined the protest, along with numerous human rights organizations and other groups, religious leaders, and countless individuals.\n\n\"It seems that the wide-ranging international pressure did impel the Iranian judiciary to reduce the original prison sentences,\" said Ms. Dugal. \"Now, however, they must have concluded that they can simply return to the original plan.\n\n\"But voices raised during this last month alone should tell them otherwise,\" she noted.\n\nLast week, the **UN Human Rights Council** voted to appoint a special investigator to monitor Iran's compliance with international human rights standards.\n\nThe resolution followed the release of a report by **UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon**, expressing concern about reports of the persecution of minorities in Iran, which specifically highlighted the case of its Baha'i community and the imprisonment of the seven Baha'i leaders.\n\nIn his message of 20 March 2011 for the traditional Persian New Year, **U.S. President Barack Obama** highlighted human rights abuses in Iran saying, \"The world has watched these unjust actions with alarm...We have seen...the Bahai community and Sufi Muslims punished for their faith...\"\n\nMembers of all political parties in the **Netherlands** parliament's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs addressed a letter on 17 March to the Iranian Parliament, expressing \"deep concern about reports on violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief\" in Iran and calling for the immediate release of the seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders. Three days earlier, in **India**, more than 90 prominent citizens renewed their call in an open letter for the release of the seven.\n\n\"The persecution of Baha'is has been particularly pronounced,\" said an article in the *Wall Street Journal* on 15 March, penned by Iranian-American journalist **Roxana Saberi** who shared a cell in Evin Prison with the two women Baha'i leaders. \"After Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, many Baha'is were executed and several disappeared. Some have seen their cemeteries desecrated or had their homes burned to the ground.\"\n\nBani Dugal reiterated the fact that the treatment of the seven is taking place against a backdrop of state-sanctioned incitement to hatred against Baha'is.\n\n\"Arson attacks on their places of business, attempts to force them out of their homes, along with a litany of other violations of their rights, have become all too familiar and continue to grow daily. Some 79 Bahais are today in prison in Iran.\"\n\n\"The Iranian government must know that its actions towards the Baha'is – and all others who suffer oppression at its hands – have only served to sully its reputation further.\n\n\"We will not cease in our call to governments, organizations and fair-minded people everywhere, to take whatever steps they can to register the strongest possible protest against Iran's actions,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\n**Special Report - \"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\"**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a [Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) which includes articles and background information about the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals. The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world.*"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572963-unhumanrightscouncilsmaller.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants at the 16th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, 21 March 2011. For the first time in its five year history, the Council appointed a special investigator to monitor Iran's compliance with international human rights standards. The decision, by a vote of 22 to 7 with 14 abstentions, reflected the world's growing impatience with Iran over its increasing violations of human rights. UN Photo by Jean-Marc Ferre."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572964-yaran-postcard.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A postcard produced by the Swedish Mission Council was distributed recently at the Goteborg Book Fair. \"They have the wrong religion, therefore they were sentenced to prison for 20 years,\" it reads. \"In Iran, adherents of the Baha'i Faith can neither, according to the law, attend university nor be employed in government service. Seven leaders of the Baha'i community in Iran were sentenced in June 2010 against their consent to 20 years imprisonment for among other things propaganda against the Islamic Republic.\""}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":813,"relatedStoryCaption":"The UN Human Rights Council appoints a special investigator to monitor Iran's compliance with international human rights standards."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":812,"relatedStoryCaption":"Authorities arrest Baha'is involved in kindergarten."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":811,"relatedStoryCaption":"Mrs. Ashraf Khanjani – married to Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani for more than 50 years – dies in Tehran."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":813,"evergreenUrl":"un-human-rights-council-appoints-monitor-iran","title":"UN Human Rights Council appoints monitor for Iran","description":"For the first time since its creation five years ago, the UN Human Rights Council has appointed a special investigator to monitor Iran's compliance...","date":"2011-03-24","customDateline":false,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572940-unhumanrightscouncilsmaller.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572940-unhumanrightscouncilsmaller.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants at the 16th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. For the first time, the Council has appointed a special investigator to monitor Iran's compliance with international human rights standards. UN Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"For the first time since its creation five years ago, the UN Human Rights Council has appointed a special investigator to monitor Iran's compliance with international human rights standards.\n\nThe decision, by a vote of 22 to 7 with 14 abstentions, reflects the world's growing impatience with Iran over its increasing violations of human rights.\n\n\"This vote is quite historic,\" said Diane Ala'i, the representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.\n\n\"The decision today to create a new mandate to examine Iran's compliance with human rights standards marks a new stage in the Council's exercise of its responsibilities to uphold and protect the fundamental human rights of all peoples throughout the world.\n\n\"The world community has heard once too many times Iran's claims that it does not violate human rights - when, in fact, it has become among the worst offenders in the world today,\" said Ms. Ala'i, who noted that the resolution passed by a resounding margin, and had co-sponsors from every region of the world.\n\nIn its resolution today, the 47-member Council also called on Iran to allow the investigator, who is known as a Special Rapporteur, to visit the country. If Iran allows it, it would be the first such visit by a human rights investigator from the UN since 2005.\n\nThe resolution, which had 52 co-sponsors, including many members of the United Nations who are not currently on the Council, followed the release of a new report by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about human rights in Iran.\n\nThat report, issued 14 March, expressed concern about a wide range of human rights violations in Iran.\n\n\"The Secretary-General has been deeply troubled by reports of increased executions, amputations, arbitrary arrest and detention, unfair trials, and possible torture and ill-treatment of human rights activists, lawyers, journalists and opposition activists,\" wrote Mr. Ban.\n\nMr. Ban's report also expressed concern about continuing reports of the persecution of minority groups in Iran. He specifically highlighted reports of persecution against Iranian Baha'is, and noted as well that members of the Arab, Armenian, Azeri, Baloch, Jewish, and Kurdish communities have also reportedly faced discrimination and persecution.\n\nIn the case of Baha'is, Mr. Ban noted that a number of Baha'is have been arrested recently, and that seven Baha'i leaders were sentenced to long prison terms after a trial last year that many felt was unjust.\n\n\"The High Commissioner for Human Rights raised their case several times in letters to and meetings with the Iranian authorities, expressing deep concern that these trials did not meet due process and fair trial requirements,\" said Mr. Ban, noting that the High commissioner had asked Iran to allow independent observers in to monitor the trial but the request was rejected.\n\nMr. Ban added that although the seven were charged with espionage and acting against national security, the High Commissioner expressed concern that the charges brought against them in fact appear to be a violation of their internationally recognized right to freedom of religion and belief, and freedom of expression and association.\n\nMr. Ban also noted that the UN also has been receiving reports of persecution directed against Christians.\n\nAnd he said that members of the Kurdish community have continued to be executed on various national security-related charges including Mohareb.\n\nFinally, Mr. Ban expressed concern over the fact that Iran has not allowed any UN human rights Special Rapporteurs to visit the country since 2005. He encouraged Iran to \"facilitate their requested visits to the country as a matter of priority in order that they might conduct more comprehensive assessments.\""}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent articles on Iran"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":803,"relatedStoryCaption":"A vote at the UN condemns Iran for failing to live up to international human rights standards."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":801,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran told that respect for the rights of Iranian Baha'is would \"signal a willingness to respect the rights of all...\""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":789,"relatedStoryCaption":"Widespread injustice condemned."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":812,"evergreenUrl":"bahais-who-offered-education-earthquake-hit-iranian-region-arrested","title":"Baha'is who offered education to earthquake-hit Iranian region arrested","description":"Iranian authorities have arrested a number of Baha'is who provided education to children in a region devastated by an earthquake seven years...","date":"2011-03-15","customDateline":false,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572925-bam-map0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572925-bam-map0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Iranian authorities have arrested a number of Baha'is who provided education to children in and around Bam and Kerman, a region devastated by an earthquake in 2003.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Iranian authorities have arrested a number of Baha'is who provided education to children in a region devastated by an earthquake seven years ago.\n\nThe Baha'i International Community has so far been able to confirm the arrest of four Baha'is this month in connection with the provision of kindergarten-level education in Iran's Kerman Province, south-east of Tehran.  Two other Baha'is from the city of Kerman were also arrested on Sunday 13 March. Their involvement in education projects has not yet been confirmed.\n\n\"More than 26,000 people died and one in five teachers in the city of Bam reportedly lost their lives in the 2003 earthquake,\" said Diane Ala'i, representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.\n\n\"These Baha'is were offering a vitally needed service to children whose education system had been all but completely destroyed.\"\n\nLast week, the Iran Student News Agency, reported that the prosecutor-general of the revolutionary court in Bam announced that a \"number of Baha'is\" had been arrested for \"promoting their programs under the guise of kindergartens in Bam, Kerman and Tehran.\" Mohammad Reza Sanjari claimed that Baha'is \"took advantage\" of the need for cultural, social and educational measures following the earthquake.\n\n\"This latest round of arrests is yet another example of the widespread, and intensifying, religious persecution being carried out by Iran against its 300,000-strong Baha'i minority,\" said Ms. Ala'i.\n\n\"This and other recent actions suggest that the authorities will stop at nothing to keep Baha'is away from Muslims, even when the Baha'is are providing a service to those in their society in desperate need.\"\n\nThree Baha'is from Isfahan – including two 18 year olds – were also arrested earlier this month while teaching children.  They were subsequently released.\n\nSome 79 Baha'is are currently being held in prison in Iran."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":811,"relatedStoryCaption":"Mrs. Ashraf Khanjani – married to Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani for more than 50 years – died in Tehran after a prolonged illness."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":810,"relatedStoryCaption":"Global support continues as one of the jailed Baha'i leaders begins fourth year in detention."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":807,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders transferred to more brutal sections of their prison complex."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":811,"evergreenUrl":"sorrow-jailed-bahai-leader-is-unable-attend-wifes-funeral","title":"Sorrow as jailed Baha'i leader is unable to attend wife's funeral","description":"The Baha'i International Community has described as \"desperately cruel\" the fact that one of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders has been unable to attend...","date":"2011-03-11","customDateline":false,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759947-811001.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759947-811001.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mrs. Ashraf Khanjani, pictured with her husband, Jamaloddin Khanjani. Mrs. Khanjani died on Thursday 10 March at the age of 81. The couple were married for more than 50 years.","imageStyle":"canvas-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The Baha'i International Community has described as \"desperately cruel\" the fact that one of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders has been unable to attend the funeral of his own wife.\n\n81 year old Mrs. Ashraf Khanjani – who was married to Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani for more than 50 years – died yesterday morning at the family home in Tehran. She had been unwell for many months.\n\nMr. Khanjani, 77, is serving a ten-year jail term at Iran's notorious Gohardasht prison, along with six other Baha'is who were all members of a national-level ad hoc group that attended to the needs of Iran's Baha'i community.\n\n\"This is a desperately cruel turn of events,\" said Diane Ala'i, representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.\n\n\"For an innocent man to be denied the opportunity to be with his devoted wife as she passed away, and then to be unable to attend her funeral – this shows the depth of inhumanity to which the Iranian authorities have sunk,\" said Ms. Ala'i.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"Islamic compassion and justice are nowhere to be seen,\" she said.\n\nIt is understood that the funeral of Mrs. Khanjani, held early today in Tehran, attracted between 8,000 and 10,000 mourners from all walks of life. Ministry of Intelligence officers were also reportedly present, filming the proceedings.\n\nMrs. Khanjani had devoted her life to raising her four children as well as caring for others whose parents were unable to feed and clothe them.\n\n\"She was looking after up to 40 or 50 children at any one time, without any regard for their religious background,\" said Ms. Alai. \"This is the kind of person she was – kind and generous, and a beacon of hope dedicated to maintaining the unity of their family in the face of harsh religious persecution.\"\n\nPrior to the 1979 Iranian revolution, Mr. Khanjani was a successful factory owner. His brick-making factory – the first automated such facility in Iran – employed several hundred people before he was forced to shut it down and abandon it, because of the persecution he faced as a Baha'i. The factory was later confiscated by the government.\n\nIn the early 1980s, Mr. Khanjani served as a member of the soon to be disbanded National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iran, a group that in 1984 saw four of its nine members executed.\n\nLater, Mr. Khanjani was able to establish a mechanized farm. But the authorities made it difficult for him to operate. Their restrictions extended to his children and relatives and included refusing loans, closing their facilities, limiting business dealings, and banning travel outside Iran.\n\nMr. Khanjani was arrested and imprisoned at least three times before his latest incarceration in May 2008.\n\n\"Life over the past three years since this most recent arrest has been particularly hard on his wife and family,\" said Ms. Ala'i.\n\n\"After Mr. Khanjani was transferred to Gohardasht last August, travelling some 100 kilometers there and back every fortnight for the women has been an extra burden to bear.\"\n\nTo add to their ordeal, Mr. and Mrs. Khanjani's immediate family has been particularly targeted by the Iranian government, with a number of them experiencing arrest and imprisonment.\n\n\"At least today, at this very difficult time, Mr. Khanjani and his family can take comfort in the fact that the thoughts and prayers of governments, organizations and people of goodwill throughout the world are with them,\" said Ms. Ala'i."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759947-811001a.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The funeral of Mrs. Ashraf Khanjani, held in Tehran on Friday 11 March 2011. Between 8,000 and 10,000 mourners from throughout Iran were reportedly in attendance."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759947-811003.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mrs. Ashraf Khanjani, who has passed away at the age of 81, pictured with her husband, Jamaloddin, during happier times."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759947-811002.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The seven Baha'i leaders – currently serving 10-year jail terms in Iran's notorious Gohardasht prison – pictured before their arrest in 2008, with their spouses. Mrs. Ashraf Khanjani, far left, passed away on Thursday 10 March 2011."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":810,"relatedStoryCaption":"Global support continues as one of the jailed Baha'i leaders begins fourth year in detention."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":807,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders transferred to more brutal sections of their prison complex."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":805,"relatedStoryCaption":"Wave of arson attacks on Baha'i-owned businesses part of campaign to fracture relationships."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":810,"evergreenUrl":"human-rights-groups-renew-support-irans-seven-imprisoned-bahai-leaders","title":"Human rights groups renew support for Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders","description":"The global support for Iran's seven jailed Baha'i leaders is continuing as one of the prisoners begins her fourth year in detention. Mahvash...","date":"2011-03-09","customDateline":false,"city":"NEW YORK","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572890-810001.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572890-810001.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Human rights organizations from around the world have spoken out about the 10-year jail terms received by Iran's seven Baha'i leaders, as well as their recent transfer to harsher prison conditions. In a recent statement, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, \"We call on Iran to free all political prisoners and persecuted minorities...\"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The global support for Iran's seven jailed Baha'i leaders is continuing as one of the prisoners begins her fourth year in detention.\n\nMahvash Sabet – a schoolteacher and mother of two – has been incarcerated since 5 March 2008. For the first 175 days of her imprisonment, she was detained in solitary confinement.\n\nOn 14 May 2008, six other prominent Iranian Baha'is were also arrested. After 20 months held without charge in Tehran's Evin prison, all seven were accused in court of espionage and the establishment of an illegal administration, among other allegations. All the charges were denied. They are now serving 10-year jail terms at the notorious Gohardasht prison.\n\nThe recent transfer of the prisoners to harsher conditions within the jail has prompted renewed concern from human rights organizations. Amnesty International USA is now asking its members to [send greetings cards](http://www.amnestyusa.org/all-countries/iran/nowruz-action/page.do?id=1221020) for the forthcoming Persian new year to the seven Baha'is and a number of other Iranian prisoners of conscience.\n\n**\"Grave concern\"**\n\nA [joint statement](http://www.fidh.org/Detained-Baha-i-leaders-in-grave-danger) from three major organizations last month called upon the international community to act with urgency for the release of the seven.\n\n\"Subsequent transfers and worsening conditions of detention lead us to believe that the well-being and lives of the detained Baha'i leaders are at risk and their ongoing arbitrary detention places them in a clear and present danger that requires urgent reaction,\" said the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Iranian League for Human Rights (LDDHI) and the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC).\n\nIn a news release issued by FIDH on 18 February, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi reminded the international community that \"none of the prisoners were granted a fair trial and their continuing arbitrary detention is of grave concern.\"\n\n\"I call once again for their immediate release and a cessation of all harassment against the Baha'i community,\" said Mrs. Ebadi, who is also a senior member of the legal team that is defending the seven Baha'is.\n\nMinority Rights Group International (MRGI) also issued [a report](http://www.minorityrights.org/10537/press-releases/irans-minorities-forgotten-victims-as-government-repression-intensifies-new-briefing.html) saying that the \"scale of repression against minority groups in Iran is a central but under-reported factor in the renewed struggle for democracy\" and that the \"persecution of any Iranian minority is most pronounced in the case of the Baha'is.\n\n\"The informal leadership of the Iranian Baha'i community, who have been detained since 2008, were sentenced in 2010 to ten years of imprisonment on charges of conspiring against the Islamic Republic, and their lawyers...have also been subject to intimidation, imprisonment, and attacks,\" said the report.\n\nOn 23 February, [US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton](http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/02/157036.htm) expressed deep concern at \"the persecution of Iranian citizens at the hand of their government...\"\n\n\"Iran's leaders also continue to persecute ethnic and religious minorities,\" said Secretary Clinton.\n\n\"We are troubled by reports that, of the dozens of prisoners executed in 2011, most are ethnic minorities. At the same time, Baha'is and other religious minorities continue to be subjected to arbitrary arrests and prosecutions, harsh sentences, and unsafe prison conditions. We call on Iran to free all political prisoners and persecuted minorities...The world will continue to watch and will hold accountable those responsible for these actions,\" said Secretary Clinton.\n\nThe conviction and sentencing of the seven was also mentioned in the [2011 World Report](http://www.hrw.org/en/world-report-2011/iran) issued in January by US-based human rights group Human Rights Watch. \"The [Iranian] government accused them of espionage without providing evidence and denied their lawyers' requests to conduct a prompt and fair trial,\" it said.\n\n**Greetings for the Persian new year**\n\nAmnesty International USA has called upon its members to [send greetings cards](http://www.amnestyusa.org/all-countries/iran/nowruz-action/page.do?id=1221020) for the forthcoming Persian new year to the seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders.\n\nThe action notes that \"Nowruz,\" which means \"new day,\" is an ancient Persian holiday celebrating the first day of spring and the coming of the new year.\n\n\"On this Nowruz we want to remember several courageous prisoners of conscience in Iran with Nowruz greetings,\" said the organization.\n\nReferring to the seven Baha'i leaders, Amnesty International  wrote, \"Although they have done nothing more than peacefully practice their religion, they were convicted on serious, but baseless, charges including 'espionage for Israel,' 'insulting religious sanctities' and 'propaganda against the system.'\"\n\nThe group also suggests sending cards to seven other Iranian prisoners of conscience, depicting scenes \"in keeping with the spirit of the holiday and the message of hope and renewal.\"\n\n\"The support of Amnesty International USA is greatly appreciated,\" said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\n\"The awareness generated by Amnesty and other groups – along with expressions of concern by governments and international organizations – remains the main source of protection and comfort for these innocent prisoners and others who are deprived of their rights in Iran,\" she said.\n\n**Special Report - \"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\"**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a [Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) which includes articles and background information about the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals. The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world.*"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":807,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders have been transferred to more brutal sections of their prison complex."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":805,"relatedStoryCaption":"Wave of arson attacks on Baha'i-owned businesses appears to be part of campaign to fracture relationships."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":803,"relatedStoryCaption":"A vote at the UN condemns Iran for failing to live up to international human rights standards."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":809,"evergreenUrl":"rethinking-education-girls-women-explored-un","title":"Rethinking education for girls and women explored at UN","description":"The education of women and girls, which is critical to the advancement of society, should include elements that acknowledge the importance of...","date":"2011-03-07","customDateline":false,"city":"UNITED NATIONS","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543991050-809001.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543991050-809001.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Former Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet – Executive Director of UN Women – addressing the opening of the 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in the United Nations General Assembly, 22 February 2011. UN Photo by Devra Berkowitz.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The education of women and girls, which is critical to the advancement of society, should include elements that acknowledge the importance of spiritual and moral development.\n\nThat was among the main points of a statement and program of events offered by the Baha'i International Community (BIC) at the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women.\n\nParticipants from Belize, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam, made up the BIC delegation to the Commission, held from 22 February until 4 March.\n\nThe theme of this year's event was \"access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women's equal access to full employment and decent work.\" Government delegates and non-governmental organizations from around the world reflected the theme in speeches, panel discussions and workshops.\n\n**\"Education and Training for the Betterment of Society\"**\n\nIn its statement to the Commission, the Baha'i International Community observed how, in the realm of education, \"spiritual and moral development has often been divorced from intellectual and vocational training.\"\n\n\"Imparting the ability to reflect on and apply spiritual, moral, and ethical principles will therefore be indispensable to the task of building a prospering world civilization,\" it said.\n\nThis also requires a re-thinking of educational processes.\n\n\"Every educational program rests on fundamental assumptions about human nature,\" said the statement. \"A child – far from an empty vessel waiting to be filled – must be seen as 'a mine rich in gems of inestimable value,' their treasures being revealed and developed for the benefit of mankind only through the agency of education.\"\n\n[Read the full statement here](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/808_CSW2011_statement.pdf) (PDF).\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"**Curriculum reform**\n\nA panel discussion, titled \"Rethinking Education for Girls and Women:  Beyond the Basic Curricula,\" was held at the BIC's New York offices on Wednesday 23 February.\n\nAmong the panellists, Dr. Changu Mannathoko – Senior Policy Advisor on Education for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) –  said that in many countries, the current curriculum for girls is too often focused on the expectation that they will do particular jobs.\n\n\"The present curriculum is not transformative enough for it to change the lives of girls and women,\" said Dr. Mannathoko.\n\nWhat needs to happen instead, she said, is to ensure that opportunities for boys are also available to girls. \"It can't be designed just for boys, it must be for both,\" she said.\n\nDr. Mannathoko also spoke about the problem of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa and the need to look at gender behavior in terms of preventing rape and violence against women.\n\n**Boys speak out**\n\nThe Baha'i International Community also hosted a series of events sponsored by a coalition of non-governmental organizations, including the National Alliance of Women's Organizations (NAWO) from the United Kingdom.\n\nAn unusual aspect of the program was the participation – sponsored by Widows Rights International – of six young men and boys, who contributed their own fresh insights into what can be done to support equality.\n\nAt a workshop titled \"Boys Speak Out,\" Charlie Clayton, 17, from the UK, reported on a school project in Sweden where gender equality was stressed from a young age. When both sexes were expected to work together equally, he said, the \"boys were calmer and the girls were more confident.\"\n\nMibaku Mollel, 23, from Tanzania shared his experiences of engaging other young African men in assisting more than 130 widows in villages to apply for microloans to start businesses.\n\n\"If more men and boys helped women, more women would have education. They would become teachers and the community would grow,\" said Mr. Mollel.\n\n**Creation of UN Women**\n\nOne of the most discussed topics at this year's Commission was the creation of a new agency, UN Women.\n\nEstablished by the United Nations General Assembly in July last year, UN Women consolidates the work on women's issues that was previously handled by four separate agencies.\n\nUN Women's leader, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, introduced herself to the Commission on 22 February, explaining the agency's aims.\n\n\"This is a vision of a world where women and men have equal rights and opportunities, and the principles of gender equality and women's empowerment are firmly integrated in the development, human rights, and peace and security agendas,\" said President Bachelet.\n\nOver the past four years, a number of NGOs – including the Baha'i International Community – were deeply involved in supporting the creation of UN Women. Eventually, a coalition of more than 27 organizations in 50 countries joined the Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) campaign, an effort that many say was critical in the effort to get UN Women approved by the General Assembly.\n\n\"We are very pleased about the creation of this new agency,\" said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\n\"It is an important step, and it will hopefully give greater impetus and coherence to the work of the United Nations in its work for gender equality and the advancement of women.\n\n\"Our hope now is that governments will fully fund UN Women, so that it can deliver on its promises. We also want UN Women to engage with civil society in a substantive manner at all levels, global, regional and national,\" said Ms. Dugal."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543991050-809002.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Senior Policy Adviser on Education for UNICEF, Dr. Changu Mannathoko, participating in a panel discussion at the Baha'i International Community's New York offices on 23 February, as part of the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543991050-809003.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations – standing far left – introduces a panel discussion held at the BIC's New York offices on 23 February. Pictured left to right: Dr. Faraneh Vargha-Khadem, Director of the University College London Centre for Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience; Dr. Changu Mannathoko; Mrs. Zarin Hainsworth-Fadaei – who chaired the discussion; and Dr. Wendi Momen of the UK-based women’s NGO, ADVANCE."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543991050-809004.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Former Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet – Executive Director of the newly-created UN Women – holds up a sign for the organization during a press conference on UN Women priorities for 2011. UN Photo by Paulo Filgueiras."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Baha'i International Community statements at the United Nations"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":808,"relatedStoryCaption":"Initiatives to address poverty should give attention to strengthening the moral, ethical and spiritual capacities of individuals and communities."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":770,"relatedStoryCaption":"Statement challenges common assumption that human beings are slaves to self-interest and consumerism."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":758,"relatedStoryCaption":"New model of decision-making would contribute to integration \"at this time of transition to a new social order.\""}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":808,"evergreenUrl":"capacity-building-crucial-eradicating-poverty","title":"Capacity building crucial to eradicating poverty","description":"Initiatives to address poverty should give attention to strengthening the moral, ethical and spiritual capacities of individuals and communities....","date":"2011-02-17","customDateline":false,"city":"UNITED NATIONS","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759920-csocd2011038.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759920-csocd2011038.jpg"},"imageDescription":"May Akale, a representative of the Baha'i International Community, prepares to deliver an oral statement to the UN Commission on Social Development on Monday 14 February. \"Efforts to eradicate poverty must be guided by a vision of human prosperity in the fullest sense of the term – a dynamic coherence between the material and spiritual dimensions of human life,\" said Ms. Akale.","imageStyle":"canvas-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Initiatives to address poverty should give attention to strengthening the moral, ethical and spiritual capacities of individuals and communities.\n\nThat was among the messages delivered by the Baha'i International Community and other non-governmental organizations at this year's United Nations Commission on Social Development.\n\n\"Efforts to eradicate poverty must be guided by a vision of human prosperity in the fullest sense of the term – a dynamic coherence between the material and spiritual dimensions of human life,\" said May Akale, a representative of the Baha'i International Community, in an oral statement to the Commission on Monday 14 February.\n\n\"Poverty, as has often been stated, is not merely the lack of material resources, but also the absence of those ethical and social resources that create an environment in which individuals, through social institutions and communities, can develop to their fullest capacity,\" said Ms. Akale.\n\nSuch efforts at capacity building should stress helping individuals \"cultivate the capacities to become protagonists of their development.\"\n\nThis is especially so where it concerns the next generation, she said. \"Of particular concern in seeking to develop these capacities are the many influences at work on the hearts and minds of children and youth.\"\n\n\"It is important to appreciate the extent to which young minds are affected by the choices of their families and communities. No matter how unintentional, choices which condone deficient ethical norms, such as the admiration for power, the seeking of status, the glorification of violence and pre-occupation with self-gratification, exercise a profound influence on young minds.\"\n\n[Read the full oral statement delivered at the UN Commission on Social Development](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/808_UNCommission.pdf) (PDF).\n\n**\"Building Vibrant Communities\"**\n\nAs a side event to the Commission, the Baha'i International Community sponsored a gathering at its offices, titled \"Building Vibrant Communities:  Strengthening Capacities for Justice, Equity and Collective Action.\"\n\nHeld on 10 February, the event took the form of a participatory \"World Cafe.\" Some 30 representatives from non-governmental organizations took part in an informal discussion, co-sponsored by the International Movement ATD Fourth World and the Huairou Commission, which helps economically disadvantaged women organize for change.\n\nConversations centered on identifying the elements needed to create communities that are economically and socially healthy.\n\n\"Extreme poverty is a violation of human rights,\" said Cristina Diez, who represents ATD Fourth World to the United Nations, adding that the most excluded and stigmatized members of society \"challenge us to think of the world in a different way.\"\n\nJustice, equity and collective action must be exercised to ensure that all members of a community can have input into decisions that affect the entire group, she said.\n\nShannon Hayes of the Huairou Commission spoke about working with the consequences of AIDS in communities. Transparency, tolerance, inclusiveness, empowerment and democratic processes are some of the characteristics that need to be brought to the task of community building, she said.\n\nErin Murphy-Graham, an assistant professor of international education at New York University and a Baha'i, sought to answer the question, \"What is a community?\" Honesty, civic engagement and a concern for others are all necessary features, she said.\n\nFollowing the speakers' presentations, participants met in smaller groups to discuss the features of a healthy society. Many concluded that the values of justice, equity and unity would need to be included in conversations about building spiritually and materially prosperous communities.\n\nEducation and empowerment, particularly of women and youth – they decided – would help to develop the skills and confidence needed for community members to recognize and demand their rights.\n\nThe United Nations Commission on Social Development meets annually to consider issues relating to poverty, social integration, and employment. This year's session commenced on 9 February and concludes this Friday, 18 February."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759920-csocd49001.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A \"World Cafe\" hosted at the Baha'i International Community's United Nations offices on 10 February, as a side event to the UN Commission on Social Development. Participants discussed the features of a healthy community."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Baha'i World News Service articles on social development"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":779,"relatedStoryCaption":"World leaders meeting in Canada urged to take \"inspired leadership and action\" to halt poverty, protect the environment, and end violent conflict."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":785,"relatedStoryCaption":"Global \"E-conference\" on Culture of Peace and Sustainability conceived around a website, featuring speeches by prominent experts on peace and sustainability."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":772,"relatedStoryCaption":"Baha'i International Community cosponsors a discussion, titled \"Rethinking Prosperity: Forging Alternatives to a Culture of Consumerism.\""}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":807,"evergreenUrl":"grave-concern-safety-irans-imprisoned-bahai-leaders","title":"Grave concern for safety of Iran's imprisoned Baha'i leaders","description":"Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders have been transferred to more brutal sections of their prison complex. In the case of the two Baha'i women,...","date":"2011-02-15","customDateline":false,"city":"NEW YORK","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572794-63201img93671.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572794-63201img93671.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The seven Baha'i prisoners, photographed several months before their arrest, are, in front, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Saeid Rezaie, and, standing, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, and Mahvash Sabet.","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders have been transferred to more brutal sections of their prison complex.\n\nIn the case of the two Baha'i women, the circumstances of the move have raised concerns that it may have been orchestrated as a means of creating an insecure environment that threatens their lives.\n\nThe Baha'i International Community has learned that one of them – Fariba Kamalabadi – has already been physically threatened by inmates since being sent to the notorious Section 200 of Gohardasht Prison.\n\n\"Apparently, the atmosphere is highly charged in this section, and there is a great deal of tension and animosity among the inmates,\" said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\nMrs. Kamalabadi was transferred to Section 200 on Saturday 12 February, along with Mahvash Sabet.\n\n\"It is difficult to be certain about the reason for the move,\" said Ms. Dugal. \"However we believe that, since their arrival at Gohardasht, the Baha'i women – despite their own extremely challenging situation – have nonetheless been a constant source of comfort and hope to other inmates. The prison authorities apparently became alarmed that the two women began to receive signs of respect from a growing number of prisoners.  As a justification for the increased harsh treatment, the authorities accused the two of teaching the Baha'i Faith.\"\n\nThroughout their entire imprisonment, added Ms. Dugal, the two women have conducted themselves in a spirit of service to others. In early 2009, for example, they shared a cell at Evin prison with Iranian-Japanese-American journalist Roxana Saberi, who later wrote that they had helped her through her ordeal.\n\nLast week, a general announcement was made to all prisoners that they were not to have any contact with the two Baha'i women. Undeterred, however, fellow inmates continued to seek them out.\n\n\"After the women were transferred, a number of prisoners made their way downstairs to visit them in their new quarters, despite efforts by the guards to restrain them,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\nMrs. Kamalabadi and Mrs. Sabet were told that – prior to the move – the inmates in Section 200 had been \"warned\" about them, she said.\n\n**Harsh and unsanitary conditions**\n\nThe seven Baha'i leaders were sent to Gohardasht prison, about 50 kilometers west of Tehran, in August last year. Having previously been incarcerated in Tehran's Evin prison without charge for 20 months, they were accused of espionage and the establishment of an illegal administration among other allegations. All the charges were denied. After a brief trial, they were sentenced to 10 years in prison.\n\nWhile Gohardasht is infamous for its harsh and unsanitary conditions, the Baha'i prisoners were at first kept segregated from some of the more violent elements at the complex. They also had relatively frequent access to outdoor exercise areas.\n\nBut over the past few weeks, all seven of them have been moved from the quarters they originally occupied into sections where conditions are much worse.\n\nThe five men were transferred three weeks ago to a wing set aside for political prisoners, known as Section 4, which is more crowded and reportedly under close surveillance. They are now suffering severe physical deprivations.\n\n\"Three of them are together in one cell, with the other two sharing another cell,\" said Ms. Dugal. \"There are two beds in each cell, so one of them has to sleep on the floor.\"\n\n\"The inmates in this part of the prison are able to go outside for fresh air only at designated times, whereas previously they could do so whenever they wished,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\n**Appeal to governments**\n\n\"In our open letter of 7 December 2010 to the head of Iran's judiciary, we stressed that such an odious and degrading environment is unworthy of even the most dangerous criminals,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\n\"We say to the Iranian government once again – does it believe the principles of Islamic compassion and justice to be consistent with the imposition of such conditions on innocent citizens?\"\n\n\"We continue to call upon governments and people of good-will throughout the world to take whatever action they can to impress upon the Iranian government that its actions are being watched, and that it will be held responsible for the safety of these and the more than 50 other Baha'is who are imprisoned throughout Iran,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\nBefore their arrest in 2008, the seven – Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm – were members of a national-level group that helped see to the minimum needs of Iran's 300,000-strong Baha'i community.\n\nReports of the trial and sentencing of the Baha'i leaders provoked a worldwide chorus of condemnation from governments - including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S.A. The European Union, and the President of the European Parliament also joined the global protest, along with numerous human rights organizations, other groups and countless individuals.\n\nOn 21 December last year, the United Nations confirmed a resolution that expressed \"deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations\" in Iran. The resolution specifically condemned Iran's discrimination against minorities, including members of the Baha'i Faith.\n\n**Special Report – \"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\"**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a [Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) which includes articles and background information about the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders – their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing – and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals. The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world.*"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":805,"relatedStoryCaption":"Wave of arson attacks on Baha'i-owned businesses appears to be part of campaign to fracture relationships."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":803,"relatedStoryCaption":"A vote at the UN condemns Iran for failing to live up to international human rights standards."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":801,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran told that respect for the rights of Iranian Baha'is would \"signal a willingness to respect the rights of all...\""}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":806,"evergreenUrl":"fifty-years-ugandas-bahai-temple-stands-symbol-unity-progress","title":"Fifty years on, Uganda's Baha'i temple stands as a symbol of unity and progress","description":"At a ceremony to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Baha'i House of Worship here, Uganda's Chief Justice has praised the temple's continuing...","date":"2011-01-18","customDateline":false,"city":"KAMPALA","country":"UGANDA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572718-80601goldenjubilee-uganda173.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572718-80601goldenjubilee-uganda173.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Celebratory dances in the grounds of the Baha'i House of Worship, Kampala, Uganda, marking the fiftieth anniversary of the inauguration of the temple in January 1961. \"What stood out was the love from those who attended from all the countries,\" remarked Lawrence Alobi, who travelled from Nigeria to attend the festivities. \"You could see the spiritual joy, the enthusiasm, the affection...\"","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"At a ceremony to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Baha'i House of Worship here, Uganda's Chief Justice has praised the temple's continuing contribution to the unity of religion and social transformation.\n\n\"It is a reminder of what is to be put in place for a better future,\" the Honorable Mr. Benjamin J. Odoki told some 1000 visitors who gathered in Kampala last Saturday for festivities to mark the temple's golden jubilee.\n\n\"Celebrations such as this are a gracious reminder to us to count our blessings, to put God at the center of our lives, and to look at civilization as basically spiritual in nature,\" said Chief Justice Odoki, who was guest of honor at the event.\n\nThe first Baha'i House of Worship on the continent – known as the \"Mother Temple of Africa\" – was built between 1957 and 1960 on Kikaya Hill, three miles north of Kampala.\n\nChief Justice Odoki, who recalled that he was a student in the city when the temple opened, said that the House of Worship has had a \"discernible impact on the lives of those who have been associated with it and those who have visited it.\"\n\n\"It has attracted, and brought in through its doors, the diversity of the kindred of the earth who have found spirituality inside it,\" he said.\n\n**A spiritual and social purpose**\n\nOn 15 January, participants from some 18 countries – including a dozen African nations – gathered for a program of prayers and choral singing inside the House of Worship to mark the anniversary. Outside, visitors were given a taste of the various community building activities that the Baha'i community today offers.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"It is the combination of social welfare and acts of service that will regenerate the world,\" remarked Chief Justice Odoki, acknowledging the foundation of Baha'i schools \"based on moral principles where children of different races and backgrounds have cultivated lasting relationships based on the principle of oneness of humanity.\"\n\nThe concept of the Baha'i House of Worship, as envisaged by Baha'u'llah, not only incorporates a central meeting place for prayer and meditation but, in time, a range of facilities to serve the social and educational needs of the surrounding population.\n\n\"Areas of education are very important,\" said the Chief Justice. \"They are the foundation for development. This is a very important social obligation of the religious groups, to be able to uplift the people because of the abject poverty the communities face, including ignorance and disease.\"\n\nThe House of Worship provides a range of educational programs in its grounds including study circles for adults and youth, as well as several children's classes every Sunday.\n\n\"These are for everyone,\" remarked Aqsan Woldu, who lives close to the temple and often serves there. \"One of the things the children learn in these classes is the presence of God. We have stories about the Messengers of God and what the attributes of God are and what we should develop.  And beyond that we have songs, because music is food for the soul and everyone should sing and learn.\"\n\n\"In the future, I think the House of Worship will be the central point, the pivot,\" said Mr. Woldu, \"and the surroundings will be these schools, a hospital, and so on. People will come up and say prayers at the House of Worship and then go back to their duties.  This is a beautiful thing.\"\n\n**Religious unity**\n\nRobert Byenkya – another Ugandan attending the golden jubilee – noted how people of all ages benefit from the temple's programs. \"They are welcome to enter and worship at their convenient time,\" he said. \"Children, junior youth, the aged, people who are mature, they can come to be together.\"\n\nWhen people of different faiths - Christians, Muslims and Baha'is among them - pray together at the House of Worship, there is a special atmosphere, added Mr. Woldu. \"The temple plays a big role in that people who had some kind of prejudice towards other religions, when they come here, they see that we're all saying prayers from different Holy Scriptures. Once you are inside the House of Worship we are one in the name of God. And that just brings us together.\"\n\nFor the last fifty years, the temple's expansive gardens have also proven to be a popular place for visitors to rest and contemplate. \"When its school time, you find a lot of students on the hill, reading,\" said Brenda Amonyin, who lives in Kampala. \"Some people come and pray. They say their private prayers in the temple during the week days when the temple is open. Others come on Sundays.\"\n\nChief Justice Odoki particularly thanked the Baha'i community for maintaining the gardens. \"They represent the spiritual purity to unite the world,\" he said.\n\n**\"New heights of service\"**\n\nIn further comments, the Chief Justice expressed that he found it remarkable that the \"Mother Temple of Africa\" was built in Uganda.\n\n\"I am informed that the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith referred to Uganda as the spiritual heart of Africa,\" said Chief Justice Odoki. \"This is very striking given that the heart is the vital organ that pumps blood to all other parts of the body.\"\n\n\"We should try to comprehend the significance of the institution of the temple and why it is a bounty to the African community in general,\" he said. \"We should think about the world that is in turmoil and the role justice has to play in putting the affairs of the world in order and the importance of the role of the Baha'is in community building.\"\n\n\"It is my sincere expectation that you continue to exercise a positive influence on all those who come under this shadow,\" he told the gathering, \"and guide humankind to new heights of service to the cause of unity and peace.\""}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572721-80602goldenjubilee-uganda156.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Around 1000 people from 18 countries attended the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the inauguration of the Baha'i House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda. On the evening of 15 January, the outer paths encircling the temple were lined with candles and visitors entered for an impromptu prayer gathering, during which spontaneous group singing broke out."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572715-80603goldenjubilee-uganda147.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Chief Justice of Uganda, the Honorable Mr. Justice Benjamin J. Odoki, was guest of honor at the celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Baha'i House of Worship in Kampala. \"The temple is a silent teacher,\" said Mr. Justice Odoki, \"a beacon of light whose magnificence is a call to the Baha'is to arise and serve humanity.\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572719-80604goldenjubileeuganda4.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Children taking part in activities on the grounds of Kampala's Baha'i temple, marking the fiftieth anniversary of its inauguration in January 1961. \"It's my first time to come to the Mother Temple of Africa and it's very special.\" said Isaac, a visitor from Angola. \"It's very beautiful to see the friends from all over the continent and different countries because it's uniting friends from all walks of life.\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572716-80605goldenjubileeuganda8.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Visitors from around a dozen African nations joined in the fiftieth anniversary celebrations for the Baha'i House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda. \"The weekend reminded me of the analogy in the Baha'i Writings which explains that the charm and beauty of a garden lies in the diversity of its flowers,\" said Joseph Okulo from Uganda. \"Really, I saw various faces coming from various countries in Africa and the world - and it was really very enjoyable. I did not want this event to finish, I wanted it to continue more and more.\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572717-80606goldenjubilee-uganda077.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Guests assemble for a group photograph in front of the Baha'i House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda, on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary. The Chief Justice of Uganda, the Honorable Mr. Justice Benjamin J. Odoki, is seen seated at the front, wearing dark glasses."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572715-80607inauguration.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The inauguration ceremonies for the Baha'i House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda, took place on the weekend of 13-16 January 1961. One contemporary commentator wrote, \"For the thousands of African Baha'is who had longed, with pride in their hearts, for the day of its completion, for those...who had worked throughout the four years of planning and construction, for the Baha'is of the world who had contributed so generously for its erection...this dedication weekend had been a time of rejoicing and fulfillment.\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572723-80608inauguration.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A group photograph at the inauguration ceremony of the Baha'i House of Worship in Kampala, January 1961. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, played a major role in the design of the temple and painstakingly guided the preparation of the original drawings of the building. He specified that the temple should have nine sides, a proportionate dome and seating capacity for 300 to 500 people."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572724-80609templefull.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Numerous species of trees and vegetation thrive in the gardens around the Baha'i House of Worship in Kampala, including mahogany and teak trees, as well as eucalyptus and bamboo which play a role in combating global warming. The extensive grounds, taking up almost 50 acres, are a major attraction for the people of Kampala. Uganda's Chief Justice the Honorable Mr. Justice Benjamin J. Odoki thanked the Baha'i community for maintaining the gardens. \"They are very beautiful,\" he said, \"and they represent the spiritual purity to unite the world.\""}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"More Baha'i House of Worship stories"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":800,"relatedStoryCaption":"Ground work begins in Santiago for new Baha'i House of Worship."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":611,"relatedStoryCaption":"Every day, thousands of people of all faiths come to the Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":721,"relatedStoryCaption":"House of Worship marks special occasion."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"houses_of_worship"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":805,"evergreenUrl":"arsonists-threaten-reprisals-bahais-befriend-muslims","title":"Arsonists threaten reprisals if Baha'is befriend Muslims","description":"A recent wave of arson attacks on Baha'i-owned businesses in Rafsanjan, Iran, appears to be part of a campaign to fracture relationships between...","date":"2011-01-16","customDateline":false,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759892-bwns8051.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759892-bwns8051.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A Baha'i-owned shop in Rafsanjan, Iran, targeted by arsonists. Several businesses run by Baha'is have suffered serious damage in a wave of attacks in the city since 25 October 2010.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"A recent wave of arson attacks on Baha'i-owned businesses in Rafsanjan, Iran, appears to be part of a campaign to fracture relationships between Baha'is and Muslims in the city.\n\nAfter around a dozen attacks on shops - carried out since 25 October 2010 - some 20 Baha'i homes and businesses have been sent a warning letter addressed to \"members of the misguided Bahaist sect.\"\n\nThe anonymous document demands that Baha'is sign an undertaking to \"refrain from forming contacts or friendships with Muslims\" and from \"using or hiring Muslim trainees.\" The Baha'is are also told not to teach their Faith, including on the Internet.\n\nShould the conditions be accepted by the recipients, the letter states, \"we will guarantee not to wage any attack on your life and properties.\"\n\n\"For more than two months now, innocent Baha'is have been having their businesses fire-bombed,\" said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva. \"Some of them have suffered more than one arson attack on their properties.\"\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"Now, in addition to their livelihoods, their very lives are being threatened unless they promise to isolate themselves from their friends and neighbours,\" she said.\n\n\"What are the perpetrators of such attacks and threats hoping to achieve?\" asked Ms. Ala'i. \"All it demonstrates for the whole world to see is the religiously motivated hatred being fomented by certain elements in Iranian society.\"\n\nMs. Ala'i noted that Baha'is have approached local authorities asking for an investigation. \"But nothing has been done,\" she said.\n\n\"Unbelievably, they've even been accused by some of starting the fires themselves, under instruction from foreign governments.\"\n\nThe attackers have particularly targeted household furniture repair businesses, home appliance and optical stores owned by Baha'is.\n\nOn 15 November, for example, fires were started in two appliance sales and repair shops, causing damage that exceeded tens of thousands of US dollars. One of the shopkeepers subsequently rented a neighboring property to continue his trade and installed a security door. One month later, despite the precautions, attackers managed to force an explosive substance into the shop through a hole they made in the roof, resulting in a blast that blew the door five meters into the air and shattered windows.\n\nMost recently, on 2 January, another repair shop was set ablaze when a hose pumped a flammable liquid past metal sheets the owner had installed for protection.\n\nA newsletter published by a Muslim cultural foundation in Rafsanjan stated that the attacks have been provoked by the fact that some trades have been \"monopolized\" by Baha'is in the city. A Muslim-owned coffee shop was also set ablaze after the newsletter mistakenly identified it as Baha'i-owned.\n\n\"Economic pressure on Iran's Baha'i community is already acute, with both jobs and business licenses being denied to Baha'is,\" said Diane Ala'i.\n\n\"These attacks and threats are yet another, particularly vicious form of persecution against ordinary citizens who are simply trying to earn their living and practice their faith.\"\n\nOn 21 December, the United Nations confirmed a resolution that expressed \"deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations\" in Iran. The resolution specifically condemned Iran's discrimination against minorities, including members of the Baha'i Faith."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759892-bwns8052a.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Wreckage in a Baha'i-owned stationery shop, after an attack by unknown arsonists on 22 November, 2010."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759892-bwns8053.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The interior of a home appliance sales and repair shop, owned by a Baha'i in Rafsanjan, after an arson attack on 15 November. Damage exceeding tens of thousands of US dollars was caused."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent articles on Iran"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":803,"relatedStoryCaption":"A vote at the UN condemns Iran for failing to live up to international human rights standards."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":801,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran told that respect for the rights of Iranian Baha'is would \"signal a willingness to respect the rights of all...\""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":796,"relatedStoryCaption":"Ban Ki-moon highlights persecution of Baha'is."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":804,"evergreenUrl":"future-plans-discussed-global-gathering","title":"Future plans discussed at global gathering","description":"Senior officers of the Baha'i Faith from around the globe have gathered at the Baha'i World Centre to discuss the future development of the worldwide...","date":"2011-01-04","customDateline":null,"city":"HAIFA","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572689-bwns804counsellorssmaller.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572689-bwns804counsellorssmaller.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors - gathered on the steps of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice - with members of the Universal House of Justice and the International Teaching Centre. The five Continental Boards of Counsellors have the responsibility of educating, encouraging, and stimulating the development of Baha'i communities throughout the world. The photograph was taken on the first day of their conference, 28 December 2010.","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Senior officers of the Baha'i Faith from around the globe have gathered at the Baha'i World Centre to discuss the future development of the worldwide community and its activities.\n\nThe conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors commenced on 28 December. Plenary sessions – which ran until 1 January – are now being followed by further consultations among geographic groups.\n\n79 of the world's 81 Counsellors, from some 58 countries, are in attendance. They were appointed to a five-year term of office by the Universal House of Justice on 26 November 2010. 33 of them are serving as Counsellors for the first time.\n\nThe main focus of the Counsellors' deliberations was outlined in a document from the Universal House of Justice, presented at the gathering. The message provided detailed analysis of community-building activities in recent years and clear direction for their future evolution.\n\nAmong the developments highlighted was a rise in the capacity of some 350,000 individuals worldwide, as a result of their participation in a training program, \"to shape a pattern of life distinguished for its devotional character.\"\n\nOther features of the global process of learning currently under way in the Baha'i world community include regularly held spiritual education classes for the \"youngest members of society, close-knit groups for junior youth, and circles of study for youth and adults...\"  No fewer than half a million people at any given time are now taking part in such activities, the message noted.\n\nThis educational process – described by the Universal House of Justice as a \"potent instrument for spiritually empowering the masses of humanity to take charge of their own destiny\" – contributes to the establishment of a distinctive pattern of community life which, in turn, offers a framework for the spiritual, social and material advancement of society.\n\nThe further strengthening of this process was among the major points of discussion at the gathering. During both consultative sessions and informal conversations, the Counsellors shared their experience and insights and explored ways to progress activities further.\n\nIn its message, the Universal House of Justice also spoke of the rectitude of conduct, spirituality, and freedom from prejudice that must characterize the life of individuals and their service to society.\n\nSuch qualities, which must be constantly cultivated – accompanied by a profound spirit of love and unity among participants – are integral pre-requisites for the success of all Baha'i initiatives.\n\n\"The fact remains that prejudices of all kinds – of race, of class, of ethnicity, of gender, of religious belief – continue to hold a strong grip on humanity,\" the Universal House of Justice stated.\n\nThe approaches and methods of the Baha'i community seek \"to build capacity in every human group, with no regard for class or religious background, with no concern for ethnicity or race, irrespective of gender or social status, to arise and contribute to the advancement of civilization.\"\n\nAnother topic of discussion at the conference was the relationship between individuals, institutions and community. \"Throughout human history, interactions among these three have been fraught with difficulties at every turn,\" wrote the Universal House of Justice, \"with the individual clamouring for freedom, the institution demanding submission, and the community claiming precedence.\"\n\n\"A new conception of each, appropriate for a humanity that has come of age, is emerging,\" the message said, prompting consultation on how cooperation and reciprocity can increasingly characterize the relationships that bind these three elements of society.\n\nIn a further letter addressed to the Baha'is of the World, dated 1 January on the occasion of the closing of the conference, the Universal House of Justice described the Counsellors' deliberations as \"insightful and clear visioned, well grounded and confident...\"\n\nFollowing almost ten days of intensive study, reflection and consultation, the Counsellors will return to their countries with a clear mandate to communicate the insights and inspiration they have received to national and local Baha'i communities."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Baha'i World News Service stories"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":803,"relatedStoryCaption":"A vote at the UN condemns Iran for failing to live up to international human rights standards."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":800,"relatedStoryCaption":"Excavation work under way for the new Baha'i House of Worship in Santiago."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":797,"relatedStoryCaption":"Baha'i sacred site offers glimpse into the heritage of part of the Holy Land."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":803,"evergreenUrl":"irans-human-rights-record-condemned-united-nations","title":"Iran's human rights record condemned by United Nations","description":"In a vote today, the United Nations once again strongly condemned Iran for failing to live up to international human rights standards. By a vote...","date":"2010-12-21","customDateline":false,"city":"UNITED NATIONS","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543760150-un.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543760150-un.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The United Nations Headquarters buildings in New York City. The UN General Assembly today confirmed a resolution that expressed “deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations” in Iran. UN Photo by Mark Garten.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"In a vote today, the United Nations once again strongly condemned Iran for failing to live up to international human rights standards.\n\nBy a vote of 78 to 45, with 59 abstentions, the UN General Assembly confirmed a resolution that expressed “deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations.” In more than two decades of such resolutions about Iran, the vote passed with one of the highest percentages ever.\n\nThe resolution specifically expressed concern over Iran’s “intensified crackdown on human rights defenders and reports of excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions, unfair trials and allegations of torture,” as well as its “pervasive gender inequality and violence against women,” and its discrimination against minorities, including members of the Baha'i Faith.\n\n“The world community has clearly spoken. It is outraged at Iran’s continued and intensifying violations of human rights,” said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\nWelcoming the result, Ms. Dugal noted that the resolution documents a wide range of violations – from torture to the oppression of women to the persecution of minorities. \"All of this has been going on for too long, and it is high time that Iran pays heed to the call of the international community and complies with the standards of international law,” she said.\n\nThe resolution devoted an entire paragraph to Iran’s treatment of members of the Baha'i Faith, cataloging an extensive list of recent anti-Baha'i activities. These included: “increasing evidence of efforts by the State to identify, monitor and arbitrarily detain Baha’is, preventing members of the Baha’i faith from attending university and from sustaining themselves economically, the confiscation and destruction of their property, and the vandalizing of their cemeteries…”\n\nIt also expressed concern over the recent trial and sentencing of seven Baha'i leaders, saying they were “repeatedly denied the due process of law.”\n\n**Worldwide condemnation**\n\nThe UN vote has coincided with a renewed protest – from numerous governments, organizations and prominent individuals – at the persecution of Iran’s Baha’is.\n\nIn a statement dated 17 December, **Canada**’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Lawrence Cannon, reiterated his country’s deep concern at the “ongoing failure of the Iranian authorities to meet their domestic and international legal obligations.”\n\n“The Government of Canada stands firmly with the people of Iran against human rights abuses and discrimination, as well as ill treatment of women and minorities,” said Mr. Cannon.\n\nA number of **India**’s prominent citizens have also recently called upon Iran to respect its minorities. Among them, former Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, appealed for justice for the seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders. “The attitude of a country and a nation towards minority religion is the touchstone of how civilized a country it is,” he said, on 17 December.\n\nIn a debate on freedom of religion in **Germany**'s Parliament, also held on 17 December, members of Parliament spoke out on the situation of Baha'is in Iran. Christoph Strässer MP –  human rights policy spokesman for the Social Democrats – noted that the Baha'i community, \"ever since it was founded, has been dedicated to peace and tolerance...\"\n\nStreet campaigns about the human rights situation in Iran have been held in the German cities of Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Mainz and Taunusstein.\n\n\"We have gathered here to protest the alarming situation of Baha'is, of human rights in general and the climate of fear that exists for Baha'is, for women, for youth, for bloggers, for journalists,\" said Omid Nouripour, MP for Frankfurt, speaking at the event in the city, \"and we raise our voices to show the world that the people of Iran need our help.\"\n\n**Christian Solidarity Worldwide** has also called for the release of the Baha’i prisoners. “Clearly the seven Baha'i leaders are being held solely on account of their faith,” said CSW’s Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston on 10 December, “and this contravenes Iran’s international legal obligations.”\n\nIn **Australia**’s parliament last month, members specifically referred to Iran’s discrimination against, and failure to protect the rights of, minorities – including the Baha’i, Sufi, Baluch, and Kurdish communities - as well as the trial and sentencing of the seven Baha'i leaders.\n\nReports of the 10-year jail terms previously provoked a chorus of condemnation from governments around the world – including **Australia**, **Canada**, **France**, **Germany**, **Hungary**, the **Netherlands**, **New Zealand**, the **United Kingdom** and the **United States**. The **European Union** and the **President of the European Parliament** also joined the protest, along with numerous human rights organizations, other groups and countless individuals.\n\nIn its annual International Religious Freedom Report, published in November, the **United States** Department of State  reported  that the Iranian government’s respect for religious freedom has continued to deteriorate, creating a “threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shi'a religious groups, most notably for Baha'is.”\n\n“The U.S. government has publicly condemned the treatment of the Baha'is in UN resolutions,” said the report.\n\nThe most recent United Nations resolution was put forward by 42 co-sponsors and approved in a preliminary form in November by a committee of the General Assembly, also by an overwhelming vote against Iran.\n\n**Special Report - \"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\"**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a [Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) which includes articles and background information about the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals. The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world.*"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543760151-unmainz.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A group of human rights campaigners braved harsh weather conditions in the German city of Mainz on 18 December. Their sign reads \"Freedom for the 7 Baha'is.\""}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://www.bic.org/focus-areas/situation-bahais-iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photo](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent articles on Iran"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":801,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran told that respect for the rights of Iranian Baha'is would \"signal a willingness to respect the rights of all...\""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":798,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's human rights abuses under scrutiny."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":789,"relatedStoryCaption":"Widespread injustice condemned."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":802,"evergreenUrl":"two-shiraz-bahais-released-after-three-years-prison","title":"Two Shiraz Baha'is released after three years in prison","description":"Two of the three Iranian Baha'is, imprisoned for their participation in an education program for underprivileged children, have been freed after...","date":"2010-12-14","customDateline":null,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572620-bwns80200.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572620-bwns80200.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Haleh Rouhi, Sasan Taqva and Raha Sabet were taken into custody in Shiraz on 19 November 2007. They were sentenced to four years imprisonment for their participation in an education program for underprivileged children in and around the city.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Two of the three Iranian Baha'is, imprisoned for their participation in an education program for underprivileged children, have been freed after serving more than three years of their four-year jail terms.\n\nIt is reported that Haleh Rouhi and Sasan Taqva were released from the temporary detention center where they had been held for the duration of their incarceration, on Wednesday 8 December. Their co-worker Raha Sabet remains in prison.\n\nMs. Rouhi, Ms. Sabet and Mr. Taqva were involved in projects in and around the city of Shiraz which focused on teaching literacy, social skills and moral values to children. They were arrested in May 2006, with some 51 other Baha'is and 10 Muslim friends. The Baha'is alone were convicted of \"indirect teaching of the Baha'i Faith.\"\n\nIt is believed the release of Ms. Rouhi and Mr. Taqva was part of an amnesty for 649 prisoners, granted by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the end of November on the occasion of Eid al-Ghadir, a Shiite Muslim festival.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"While we welcome the news of this release, it does not take away from the fact that there has been a gross miscarriage of justice,\" says Diane Ala'i, representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.\n\n\"Their release is by no means the end of the story,\" she says. \"When will Raha Sabet be freed? When will the appalling injustice being suffered by the seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders end? What about the 50 or more other Baha'is currently in prison purely because of their religious beliefs?\"\n\n**Jailed for helping children**\n\nThe educational program in Shiraz was carried out by the three Baha'is and their friends with the full knowledge and permission of the city council. Yet the three were sentenced to three years imprisonment for \"organizing illegal groups\" and a further year \"for teaching for the benefit of groups that are against the Islamic regime.\" The other Baha'is were given one year sentences, suspended pending their attendance at mandatory Islamic classes.\n\nOn 19 November 2007, the three were locked into holding cells and continued to be held in the same temporary circumstances for a full three years.\n\n\"Their detention in such conditions has been in violation of international standards and legal norms, as well as Iran's own laws,\" says Diane Ala'i.\n\n\"Even a report later made at the request of the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in the province of Fars confirmed that there was no mention of religion in the educational activities organized by these three innocent people,\" she says.\n\n\"It is well known that when the report became public, another version was issued which distorted the original findings,\" adds Ms. Ala'i. See [https://news.bahai.org/story/661](/story/661).\n\nA renewed call to release the three was included in the [open letter](/story/801), dated 7 December 2010, addressed by the Baha'i International Community to the head of Iran's Judiciary.\n\n\"Whether or not there are Baha'is in prison, our calls for an end to the persecution of the Baha'is of Iran will not cease until all of them are granted their full rights of citizenship,\" says Ms. Ala'i. \"Only in that way can they fulfill their desire to contribute, alongside their fellow citizens, to the advancement of their nation.\""}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572620-bwns80201.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Haleh Rouhi – pictured here before her arrest – was born in Shiraz in 1977. Although denied access to private university for being a Baha'i, she was able to obtain a law degree from the Baha'i Institute of Higher Education. For a time, she was employed at the Iran Radiator Company and served as a member of the Baha'i Youth Committee of Shiraz. Before her arrest, government agents often carried out surveillance on her home because of her Baha'i activities."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572620-bwns80202.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Born in Ahvaz, Raha Sabet – pictured here before her arrest – was deprived of access to state-run and regular private universities in Iran. Her efforts to get a business license, to run a store specializing in child learning needs, were blocked because she is a Baha'i. Before her arrest, she had been summoned for questioning several times. During one interrogation, she was told by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence, \"We will hurt you in every possible way.\" Ms. Sabet remains in prison."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572620-bwns80203.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Sasan Taqva - pictured in May 2009, 18 months into his four-year imprisonment in a Ministry of Intelligence detention center in Shiraz. Throughout his imprisonment, Mr. Taqva suffered severe pain from a leg injury, sustained in a car accident, and sciatic and muscle weakness caused by the lack of basic facilities. Daily exercise and access to fresh air was limited to 30 minutes each day when he was taken - blindfolded - not outside, but to a room that had no roof."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Open letter from Baha’i International Community"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[English](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/801_bic_open_letter_larijani_en.pdf) (Adobe Acrobat 60KB) ","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[Persian](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/801_bic_open_letter_larijani_fa.pdf) (Adobe Acrobat 73KB) ","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Related content"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran-update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Other BWNS articles about Iran](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":801,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran told that respect for the rights of Iranian Baha'is would \"signal a willingness to respect the rights of all...\""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":798,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's human rights abuses under scrutiny."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":799,"relatedStoryCaption":"Imprisoned for teaching literacy."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":801,"evergreenUrl":"open-letter-speaks-out-rights-all-iranians","title":"Open letter speaks out for the rights of all Iranians","description":"In an open letter to the head of Iran's Judiciary, the Baha'i International Community today contrasted the country's persecution of Baha'is with...","date":"2010-12-07","customDateline":false,"city":"NEW YORK","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759852-78900.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759852-78900.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The open letter from the Baha'i International Community to the head of Iran's judiciary catalogs in detail the \"many reprehensible measures\" resorted to by officials during the detention, trial, sentencing and appeal, of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders. Respecting the rights of Iranian Baha'is, the letter says, would \"signal a willingness to respect the rights of all the citizens of your country.\"","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"In an open letter to the head of Iran's Judiciary, the Baha'i International Community today contrasted the country's persecution of Baha'is with Iran's own call for Muslim minorities to be treated fairly in other countries.\n\n\"We...request that the Baha'is in that country be granted their full rights of citizenship, in order that they may be able to fulfill their heartfelt aspiration to contribute, alongside their fellow citizens, to the advancement of their nation,\" says the letter.\n\n\"This, indeed, is no more than what you rightfully ask for Muslim minorities who reside in other lands. Baha'is merely seek the same treatment from you,\" the Baha'i International Community states.\n\nRespecting the rights of Iranian Baha'is now would \"signal a willingness to respect the rights of all the citizens of your country,\" the letter says.\n\nThe document, dated 7 December and addressed to Ayatollah Mohammad Sadeq Larijani, states that the injustices meted out on Iran's Baha'i citizens are a \"reflection of the terrible oppression that has engulfed the nation.\" Redressing the wrongs suffered by the Baha'is would \"bring hope to the hearts of all Iranians that you are ready to ensure justice for everyone.\"\n\n\"Our call, then, is in reality a call for respect of the rights of all the Iranian people,\" the Baha'i International Community says.\n\n\"How can a just society, or a just world, be built on a foundation of irrational oppression and the systematic denial of basic human rights to any minority? Everything your country overtly professes to seek on the world stage is contradicted by your treatment of your own people at home.\"\n\n[Read the full letter in English](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/801_bic_open_letter_larijani_en.pdf)\n\n[Read the full letter in Persian](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/801_bic_open_letter_larijani_fa.pdf)\n\n**\"Reprehensible measures\"**\n\nThe letter catalogs in detail the \"many reprehensible measures\" resorted to by officials during the detention, trial, sentencing and appeal, of the seven Baha'i leaders, who formerly served as the members of a national-level group that – with the Iranian government's knowledge – helped see to the minimum spiritual needs of the Baha'is of Iran.\n\nThe seven were accused of propaganda activities against the Islamic order and the establishment of an illegal administration, among other allegations. All the charges were categorically denied.\n\nThe letter charts how the prosecutors at the trial of the seven were “ultimately unable to present any credible evidence in support of their claims.” The trial, it observes, \"was so devoid of the impartiality that must characterize judicial proceedings as to render the process a complete mockery.\"  \"How was it,\" the letter asks in this respect, \"that the verdict issued by the judges could refer to the religion of the defendants as a ‘misguided sect’?”\n\n\"...[W]hat is now starkly visible to all is the willingness of the authorities to trample the very standards of justice they are mandated to uphold on behalf of the peoples of Iran,\" the open letter states.\n\nBani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations says that there was never any foundation to the charges that the seven had acted against the interest of Iran.\n\n\"To add to this manifest injustice, the judiciary has not yet formalized the appeal verdict,\" says Ms. Dugal, \"thus depriving the prisoners of the right to seek bail or to be granted leave from prison.\"\n\n\"In defiance of all reason, the prisoners are now in the third year of what is still termed a ‘temporary’ detention,\" she says.\n\n**Appalling conditions**\n\nAfter receiving their sentence, the seven Baha'i leaders – Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm – were moved from Evin Prison to Gohardasht prison in Karaj.\n\n\"They are now effectively placed in exile in contravention of Iran's statutes governing the transfer of prison inmates,\" says Bani Dugal. \"Amongst other indignities, they are forced to endure appalling filth, pestilence, exposure to disease, and quarters so crammed that it is difficult for them to lie down or even to perform their daily prayers.\"\n\n\"It is clear from recent reports that their health has deteriorated and they have no access to adequate medical treatments,\" she says.\n\nReports of the trial and sentencing of the seven provoked a chorus of condemnation from governments around the world. The European Union and the President of the European Parliament also joined the protest, along with prominent religious leaders, numerous human rights organizations, and countless other groups and individuals.\n\n\"We join with governments and well-meaning people throughout the world, as we call upon Iran's Head of the Judiciary to immediately set these seven innocent Baha'is – and, along with them, all of the Baha'is incarcerated across the country – free,\" says Ms. Dugal."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Letter from Baha’i International Community"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[English](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/801_bic_open_letter_larijani_en.pdf) (Adobe Acrobat 60KB) ","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[Persian](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/801_bic_open_letter_larijani_fa.pdf) (Adobe Acrobat 73KB) ","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Background"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran-update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Other BWNS articles about Iran](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":798,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's human rights abuses under scrutiny."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":799,"relatedStoryCaption":"Imprisoned for teaching literacy."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":793,"relatedStoryCaption":"20-year jail-terms reportedly changed to 10 years."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":800,"evergreenUrl":"excavation-work-commences-chiles-temple-light","title":"Excavation work commences for Chile's \"temple of light\"","description":"Excavation work is under way for the new Baha'i House of Worship for the South American continent, in the Chilean capital of Santiago. The ground...","date":"2010-11-28","customDateline":false,"city":"SANTIAGO","country":"CHILE","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759808-bwns80000.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759808-bwns80000.jpg"},"imageDescription":"An early model of the Baha'i House of Worship for the South American continent, simulating how it will appear at night. The Architectural Review wrote that it \"should become a gentle and welcoming beacon to the whole of South America.\"","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Excavation work is under way for the new Baha'i House of Worship for the South American continent, in the Chilean capital of Santiago.\n\nThe ground work comes after a prolonged search for a site and unprecedented technical challenges, which included the invention of an entirely new material for the building's exterior. The site has now been set at a location in the hills of Peñalolén, a \"commune\" within metropolitan Santiago, at the foot of the Andes.\n\n\"We are pleased to inform you that excavation work has now commenced in Chile on the land where the last continental House of Worship is to stand,\" the Universal House of Justice wrote on 26 November, expressing its hope that the Baha'is throughout the world would \"be heartened to learn of the milestone now reached...\"\n\n\"Many obstacles have been overcome to reach this point,\" the House of Justice noted.\n\nSiamak Hariri – of the Canadian architecture firm Hariri Pontarini Architects, which has designed the House of Worship – is delighted. \"It's really a very rewarding moment,\" he says. \"We've found an extraordinary site, visible from all over Santiago. Even if you come into the airport from other places in the world, you'll see it in the distance.\"\n\nThe House of Worship, with its surrounding water gardens of plant species native to the region, will cover some 10 hectares of a 50 hectare site. Excavation is now being carried out of an area measuring 62 meters in diameter, to prepare for the building's foundations and the area around it. The diameter of the House of Worship itself is approximately 30 meters.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"**Baha'i Houses of Worship**\n\nBaha'i Houses of Worship are distinctive buildings, open to everyone, where visitors can simply pray and meditate in a serene atmosphere, or - at certain times - listen to the holy scriptures of the world's religions being recited and sung. An integral concept of each House of Worship is that they will, in due course, provide a spiritual center around which agencies and institutions of social, humanitarian, and educational service will be established for the surrounding population.\n\nWhen completed, the edifice in Santiago will be the eighth in a series of Baha'i Houses of Worship, and the final one to be erected to serve an entire continent. The seven others are in Australia, Germany, India, Panama, Uganda, the United States and Western Samoa.\n\n**\"Striking and original\"**\n\nThe project to construct a Baha'i House of Worship in Chile was announced in 2001. A call for submission of designs was made the following year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Chile, eliciting 185 entries from more than 80 countries.\n\nThe design brief called for a domed structure with nine entrances which, symbolically, would welcome people from all directions of the earth for the praise and glorification of God.\n\nFrom a shortlist of four entries, Hariri Pontarini Architects was given the go-ahead to develop its scheme, described by the Universal House of Justice in its recent message as a \"striking and original design.\"\n\nThe building consists of an arrangement of nine translucent \"wings,\" rising directly from the ground, and giving the impression of floating over a large reflecting lily pool. The wings will allow sunlight to filter through during the day, while at night the House of Worship will emit a warm glow from its interior lighting.\n\nThe innovative design required that an entirely new form of cast glass be invented for the building's exterior. \"That was an exploratory journey that took some 18 months,\" says Mr. Hariri, whose team needed to develop technologies that would ensure the building's survival in the environmental conditions of the location, a highly active seismic zone.\n\n\"We've done the testing. It has been marked out, vetted and peer-reviewed,\" says the architect. \"All the permits are signed. So now is the perfect time for the construction process to commence.\"\n\n**Award-winning design**\n\nSince it was first unveiled, the design for the House of Worship has been praised in more than 40 international journals, and received numerous accolades. *Canadian Architect* featured the building as one of its 2004 Awards of Excellence. A judge described it as representing \"a rare convergence of forces that seem destined to produce a monument so unique as to become a global landmark...\"\n\nMost recently, in August, a global panel of almost 100 judges named the House of Worship joint winner in the *World Architecture News* \"Civic Building - Unbuilt\" award category.\n\n\"It was a nice coincidence to win this award at this particular time, just as the excavation work was about to begin\" says Mr. Hariri."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759809-bwns80001.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The beautiful location of the site of the Baha'i House of Worship for Chile, in the hills of Peñalolén, a \"commune\" within metropolitan Santiago, at the foot of the Andes."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759811-bwns80002.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A view of the site of the future Baha'i House of Worship for Chile. Suburbs of the city of Santiago can be seen in the valley below."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759808-bwns80003cropped.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Excavation work is now under way to prepare for the creation of the House of Worship's foundations, which measure 30 meters in diameter. An important task before work began was to ensure the protection of listed endangered species on the land. Numerous species of rodents and reptiles, native to the region, were safely transported to another part of the site where they will not be affected by the work."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759809-bwns80004a.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Excavation work under way to prepare for the creation of the House of Worship's foundations. This phase of the project is expected take some six months to complete."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759809-bwns80004b.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The boundaries of the site, which will include the Baha'i House of Worship, have been marked out with posts and string. The building and grounds will cover some 10 hectares within a wider 50 hectare site. Work is commencing to prepare for the provision of underground utilities required for the House of Worship and its surrounding water gardens."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759809-bwns80006.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Architect Siamak Hariri points out the distinctive \"wings\" on an early model of the Baha'i House of Worship, for Santiago, Chile. Mr Hariri has described the design as a \"glowing temple of light, inviting to people of all faiths.\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759809-bwns80007.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A conceptual drawing of the Baha'i House of Worship for South America. The design \"acknowledges blossom, fruit, vegetable and the human heart\" wrote the Canadian art critic, Gary Michael Dault, \"but rests somewhere between such readings, gathering them up and transforming them into an architectural scheme that is, simultaneously, both engagingly familiar and brilliantly original.\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759808-bwns80008.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A conceptual drawing depicts a view from above of the design of the Baha'i House of Worship for South America. Nature was a major reference point for the design. \"We wanted to capture the magic of looking under a canopy of trees in full daylight and at night,\" says architect Siamak Hariri."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759808-bwns80009.jpg"},"imageDescription":"An interior view of an early model of the Baha'i House of Worship for South America, in Santiago, Chile."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759808-bwns80010.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Santiago, the capital of Chile, is the site for the first Baha'i House of Worship on the South American continent."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759810-bwns80011.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The first Baha'i House of Worship was completed in 1908 in Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan, home to a large, early Baha'i community. The House of Worship itself was surrounded by gardens, at the corners of which were facilities for social welfare including a school, a hostel, and a small hospital. The House of Worship was expropriated by the Soviet authorities in 1928 and leased back to the Baha'is. Ten years later, it was confiscated completely. It was demolished in 1963 after suffering serious damage in an earthquake 15 years earlier."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759809-bwns80012.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The oldest surviving Baha'i House of Worship stands on the shores of Lake Michigan at Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. Work began in 1921, and it was finally completed in 1953. In 1978, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759810-bwns80013smaller.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Baha'i House of Worship for the African continent is located on Kikaya Hill on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda. It was dedicated on January 13, 1961."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759808-bwns80014.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Baha'i House of Worship in Sydney, Australia was dedicated on September 17, 1961. The property is set amidst natural bushland in Ingleside, a northern suburb of Sydney, overlooking the Pacific Ocean."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759810-bwns80015.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The first Baha'i House of Worship in Europe is located at the foot of Germany's Taunus mountains, in the village of Langenhain, in the Frankfurt suburb of Hofheim, Hesse. Made of steel, aluminium, and glass, it was dedicated in 1964."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759808-bwns80016smaller.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Baha'i House of Worship in Panama City, Panama, is located on a high cliff, \"Singing Hill,\" overlooking the city. It is constructed of local stone laid in a pattern reminiscent of Native American fabric designs. It was completed in 1972."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759809-bwns80017.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Baha'i House of Worship in Tiapapata, near Apia, Samoa, was dedicated by Malietoa Tanumafili II, King of Samoa (1913-2007), who was the first reigning Baha'i monarch. It opened in 1984."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543759809-bwns80018smaller.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dedicated in 1986, the spectacular Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi, India is one of the most visited buildings in the world, receiving an average of 4.3 million visitors per year. It has won numerous architectural awards. Inspired by the lotus flower, its design is composed of 27 free-standing marble clad \"petals.\""}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"More Baha'i House of Worship stories"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":611,"relatedStoryCaption":"Every day, thousands of people of all faiths come to the Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":721,"relatedStoryCaption":"House of Worship marks special occasion."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":218,"relatedStoryCaption":"Great sacrifices made to build Baha'i House of Worship near Chicago recalled at commemorative ceremonies."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"houses_of_worship"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":799,"evergreenUrl":"three-bahais-jailed-humanitarian-work-begin-fourth-year-detention","title":"Three Baha'is, jailed for humanitarian work, begin fourth year in detention","description":"Despite compelling evidence that they never committed a crime, three Iranian Baha'is today begin their fourth year in captivity. The two women,...","date":"2010-11-19","customDateline":false,"city":"NEW YORK","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572452-bwns8177-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572452-bwns8177-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Haleh Rouhi, Sasan Taqva and Raha Sabet, taken into custody on 19 November 2007. They are beginning the final year of a four-year sentence, handed down for their participation in an education program for underprivileged children in and around the city of Shiraz.","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Despite compelling evidence that they never committed a crime, three Iranian Baha'is today begin their fourth year in captivity.\n\nThe two women, Haleh Rouhi and Raha Sabet – and Mr. Sasan Taqva – were arrested in May 2006, along with some 51 other Baha'is and a number of Muslim friends, for their participation in an education program for underprivileged children in and around the city of Shiraz.\n\nWhile their 10 Muslim co-workers and one Baha'i with learning difficulties were released immediately, the remaining Baha'is were convicted of \"indirect teaching of the Baha'i Faith.\" Ms. Rouhi, Ms. Sabet and Mr. Taqva received four year jail terms. The other 50 were given one year sentences, suspended pending their attendance at mandatory Islamic classes.\n\nIt is believed that today, after three years, they continue to be held under the harshest of conditions in a temporary detention center.\n\n\"Under Iranian law, the Intelligence Ministry cannot imprison citizens in such centers, only detain them for interrogation,\" says Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations. \"We understand that conditions have been totally unacceptable for the long-term imprisonment these three have suffered.\"\n\nThe trial and detention have violated both Iranian and international law, says Ms. Dugal. \"And every piece of evidence – including a report commissioned from an Iranian official – has pointed to their innocence.\"\n\nAuthorities refused to take notice of that investigator's conclusion. When the report became public, he subsequently wrote another account, rejecting the findings of his original report.\n\n\"The Iranian government has utterly failed to address such an obvious miscarriage of justice,\" says Ms. Dugal. \"This is yet another case of religious persecution, pure and simple.\"\n\n\"Why else would three individuals, whose main 'crime' was their engagement in humanitarian projects aimed at helping their fellow citizens, continue to be locked up in this way?\" she says.\n\n**Jailed for helping the poor**\n\nThe idea of specifically working with the young people of Shiraz began in a study group organized by Ms. Sabet, who had been involved in aid efforts after the 2003 Iranian earthquake.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Initially, she and her friends worked in Katsbas, a suburb with a reputation for drug abuse and criminal activity. There, the group tutored children preparing for their end-of-term exams. With the full blessing of local parents, efforts extended to include assisting the children to develop social skills and moral values.\n\nAs their project grew to serve more than 200 children in Katsbas, the group was successful in receiving a permit from the city council to operate.  Another effort started up in Sahlabad, also facilitated by both Baha'is and Muslims. A further initiative – carried out by 14 tutors – involved 100 young people at an educational center.\n\nThe group also organized weekly art classes for young cancer patients – an activity that was enthusiastically received by the head of a local hospital. Additionally, regular visits were also made to orphanages and facilities for disabled children.\n\n**Arrests and conviction**\n\nOn 19 May 2006, police simultaneously arrested tutors and project leaders in six locations.\n\nFollowing the release of their Muslim co-workers, the remaining Baha'is were let go after the course of the following few days and weeks. Ms. Rouhi, Ms. Sabet, and Mr. Taqva were held for nearly a month.\n\nA brief, formal trial was held more than one year later.  The Baha'is were accused of, among other things, \"indirect teaching of the Baha'i Faith\" – based on their use of an educational textbook called *Breezes of Confirmation*. The text, however, makes no mention of the Baha'i Faith, only presenting moral lessons that are explored through a series of stories. Despite the fact that the city's Cultural Council had approved the use of the book, the verdict declared that permission had been obtained through deceit.\n\n\"The charges against them were baseless and unacceptable under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an international treaty which Iran has signed, that protects the right to manifest belief in 'worship, observance, practice and teaching,'\" says Bani Dugal.\n\n\"For a start, it was clear that their activities were strictly humanitarian in nature. Secondly, the court even acknowledged that the text they were teaching from had no explicit reference whatsoever to the Baha'i Faith. Even some of their Muslim co-workers said they were unaware that their co-workers were Baha'is or that any 'teaching' was going on,\" she says.\n\nMost of the Baha'is, because of their young age, received suspended one year sentences, pending their attendance at mandatory classes organized by the Islamic Propaganda Organization. At these classes, Baha'i beliefs and history were ridiculed, insulted and distorted.\n\nBut Ms. Sabet, Ms. Rouhi, and Mr. Taqva, were sentenced to four years imprisonment: three years for \"organizing illegal groups\" and one year \"for teaching for the benefit of groups that are against the Islamic regime.\"\n\n**Temporary detention center**\n\nOn 19 November 2007, Ms. Sabet, Ms. Rouhi, and Mr. Taqva were called to the local office of the Ministry of Intelligence, ostensibly to retrieve belongings that had been seized earlier. This proved to be a deception. When they arrived, they were immediately locked in holding cells.\n\nThree years on, it is believed that they continue to be detained in the same conditions. Mr Taqva has been kept alone for the whole time in a claustrophobic cell. The women were originally incarcerated together in another small cell, normally used for short-term detainees. Today they are all being held apart from each other. They have no windows, beds or chairs, and have only recently been given mattresses. It is reported that all three detainees have developed chronic back pain.\n\nFrom time to time, they have been granted \"temporary releases\" but have always had to return to the detention centre to serve out their four-year terms.\n\nFor much of the imprisonment, Mr. Taqva has additionally been suffering severe pain from a leg injury, once sustained in a car accident, and sciatic and muscle weakness caused by the lack of all basic facilities. Although he has twice been briefly released for surgery, he remains for the most part without adequate medical attention. Daily exercise and access to fresh air is limited to 30 minutes each day when he is taken, not outside, but to a room that has no roof. Every time he leaves his cell, he is blindfolded.\n\nThe continuing detention of Mr. Taqva and his two co-workers is in violation of international standards and legal norms, says Bani Dugal. \"Under Iranian law, people convicted of crimes have the right to incarceration in a prison designed for long-term confinement, where there is access to adequate medical facilities, food, and hygiene. The continued detention of these three innocent people in cells designed for short-term stays violates not only common decency but national law.\"\n\n**Confidential report ignored**\n\nIn June 2008, Vali Rustami – inspector and legal advisor of the Office of the Representative of the Supreme Leader for the province of Fars – submitted a confidential report, made at the request of the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in the province.\n\nMr. Rustami confirmed that not only was there no mention of religion in the activities of the prisoners, but that the young people who attended the classes told him they wanted to continue. \"They stated 'We ... truthfully learned a lot from this group and would like them to come back to us again,'\" Mr. Rustami reported.\n\nWhen his account became public, he wrote another version which distorted his original findings.\n\nFar from posing any threat to their society, says Ms. Dugal, it is clear that the three were trying their best to serve their society. \"In winning the gratitude of those they served, the Baha'is provoked the ire of their government. Only unbridled animosity and hatred could be at the heart of such a perversion of justice as is witnessed in this case.\"\n\n\"After three years of imprisonment, the refusal of the authorities to put an immediate halt to the cruel treatment of these people defies reason. We continue to call on the international community to raise their voices in defense of these individuals – as well as the seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders and the thousands of others in Iran today who are being deprived of their human rights,\" she says."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572452-bwns8182-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"One of the classes organized for young people in Katsbas, outside Shiraz, Iran."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572452-bwns8179-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Tutors and children gathered for a class in Sahlabad, outside Shiraz, Iran. Such classes were shut down by the government in 2006."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572451-bwns8180-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Children working in their class in Sahlabad, outside Shiraz, Iran. Such classes were shut down by the government in 2006."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572452-bwns87980.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Haleh Rouhi - pictured here before her arrest - was born in Shiraz in 1977. Although denied access to private university for being a Baha’i, she was able to obtain a law degree from the Baha'i Institute of Higher Education. For a time, she was employed at the Iran Radiator Company and served as a member of the Baha'i Youth Committee of Shiraz. Before her arrest, government agents often carried out surveillance on her home because of her Baha'i activities."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572452-bwns87981.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Born in Ahvaz, Raha Sabet - pictured here before her arrest - was deprived of access to state-run and regular private universities in Iran. Her efforts to get a business license, to run a store specializing in child learning needs, were blocked because she is a Baha'i. Before her arrest, she had been summoned for questioning several times. During one interrogation, she was told by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence, “We will hurt you in every possible way.”"},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572452-bwns87982.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Sasan Taqva – pictured in May 2009, 18 months into his four-year imprisonment in a Ministry of Intelligence detention center in Shiraz. Born in 1974, Mr. Taqva was trained as an optometrist and had his own business. However, to suppress dealings with Baha'is, the Ministry of Trade ordered other shopkeepers not to purchase anything from Baha'is. Before his arrest, he was a member of the national Baha'i Youth Committee."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baha'is in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"United Nations Report"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[The situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/796_UNSecGen_report.pdf)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":798,"relatedStoryCaption":"Resolution expresses deep concern."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":793,"relatedStoryCaption":"20-year jail-terms reportedly changed to 10 years."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":789,"relatedStoryCaption":"Widespread injustice condemned."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":798,"evergreenUrl":"un-resolution-sharply-critical-iran-continuing-human-rights-violations","title":"UN resolution sharply critical of Iran for continuing human rights violations","description":"A committee of the UN General Assembly today sharply criticized Iran for its continued and increasing violations of human rights. By a vote of...","date":"2010-11-18","customDateline":false,"city":"UNITED NATIONS","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1687959778-bwns-default-missing-image-endslate-still-8-1-1.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"A committee of the UN General Assembly today sharply criticized Iran for its continued and increasing violations of human rights.\n\nBy a vote of 80 to 44, the Assembly's Third Committee approved a resolution that \"expresses deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations\" in Iran. There were 57 abstentions.\n\nThe vote came after Iran attempted a \"no-action motion,\" aimed at blocking the resolution by calling for adjournment of the debate. The motion failed by a vote of 51 in favor to 91 against, with 32 abstentions.\n\nIn its specifics, the resolution takes note of recent reports of Iran's continued use of torture, an intensified crackdown on human rights defenders, \"pervasive gender inequality and violence against women,\" and discrimination against minorities, including members of the Baha'i Faith.\n\n\"The wording of the resolution, which is the 23rd such condemnation of Iran since 1985, leaves no doubt that the world remains deeply concerned with Iran's continued human rights violations,\" said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\nThe five-page document echoes concerns expressed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who issued a report in October that criticized Iran's use of torture and the death penalty, its poor treatment of women, and repeated violations of due process of law, as well as its failure to protect the rights of minorities, such as the Baha'i, Sufi, Baluch and Kurdish communities.\n\nThe resolution also calls on Iran to cooperate with international human rights monitors and to allow them into the country.\n\n\"The Baha'i International Community strongly welcomes this resolution, not only for its clear-sighted view of what is happening in Iran but also for its call for increased monitoring,\" said Ms. Dugal. \"As the resolution notes, it has been more than five years since Iran allowed UN officials into the country to investigate reports of human rights violations - something that is clearly unacceptable, especially for a country that claims to the world that it has nothing to hide.\"\n\nPut forward by 42 co-sponsors, the resolution's passage today by the Third Committee virtually assures final approval by the General Assembly Plenary in December.\n\nThe resolution devoted an entire paragraph to Iran's treatment of members of the Baha'i Faith, cataloging an extensive list of recent incidents and attacks on Baha'is.\n\nIn particular, it noted \"increasing evidence of efforts by the State to identify, monitor and arbitrarily detain Baha'is, preventing members of the Baha'i faith from attending university and from sustaining themselves economically, the confiscation and destruction of their property,” and “the vandalizing of their cemeteries.” It also expressed concern over the recent trial and sentencing of seven Baha'i leaders, saying they were \"repeatedly denied the due process of law.\""}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baha'is in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":796,"relatedStoryCaption":"Ban Ki-moon highlights persecution of Baha'is."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":793,"relatedStoryCaption":"20-year jail-terms reportedly changed to 10 years."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":789,"relatedStoryCaption":"Widespread injustice condemned."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":797,"evergreenUrl":"holy-place-restoration-sheds-light-regions-heritage","title":"Holy place restoration sheds light on region's heritage","description":"After more than three years of restoration and conservation work, a Baha'i sacred site is offering a glimpse into the industrial and spiritual...","date":"2010-10-29","customDateline":false,"city":"ACRE","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572343-79700.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572343-79700.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Some two kilometers southeast of the historic city of Acre, the Ridvan Garden - created for Baha'u'llah - has been restored to its original island setting. The centerpiece is a fountain from which water is conveyed into a canal that runs past the garden.","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"After more than three years of restoration and conservation work, a Baha'i sacred site is offering a glimpse into the industrial and spiritual heritage of this part of the Holy Land.\n\nFrom the Roman era into the early 20th century, mills on this site – some two kilometers southeast of the old city of Acre – produced the flour to feed the area's population.\n\n\"This was a very significant agricultural hinterland for the city,\" points out Albert Lincoln, Secretary General of the Baha'i International Community. \"The mills were part of what was probably one of the region's largest industrial complexes. They were first documented in 1799 by the French delegation surveying the area in connection with Napoleon's intended conquest.\"\n\nBut for Baha'is, this place has spiritual significance, adds Mr. Lincoln. \"It's one of the most beautiful holy places associated with the presence of Baha'u'llah here during the late 19th century.\"\n\nIn 1875 – eight years after Baha'u'llah's incarceration within the walls of the prison city of Acre – His son 'Abdul-Baha rented an island formed by two water canals, diverted from the Na'mayn river to power the flour mills. On this island, 'Abdu'l-Baha created an exquisite garden for His father Who, by then, had suffered more than two decades of imprisonment and exile. Baha'u'llah called the garden \"Ridvan\" – meaning \"paradise\".\n\nA swamp drainage scheme to curb malaria and increase arable farmland in the 1930s and 1940s deprived the garden of its unique island setting. But now, with the restoration of the water canals, the Ridvan Garden is an island once again. This week, some 280 Baha'is – from as far afield as Mongolia, Rwanda and El Salvador – became the first pilgrims since 2007 to visit this holy place.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"**A \"verdant isle\"**\n\nAfter 'Abdu'l-Baha's acquisition of the island, pilgrims from Iran and neighboring countries brought shrubs, trees and flowering plants to populate the flower beds. During their long overland journeys, some of the travelers watered the plants at the expense of their own thirst.\n\nAs restrictions on His movements were gradually relaxed, Baha'u'llah made His first visits to the garden. He went there often, sometimes staying overnight in a modest house on the island.\n\nThe spot also became known outside of the Baha'i community. Laurence Oliphant, a British writer who visited in 1883, remarked, \"Coming upon it suddenly it is like a scene in fairy land...The stream is fringed with weeping willows, and the spot, with its wealth of water, its thick shade, and air fragrant with jasmine and orange blossoms, forms an ideal retreat from the heats of summer.\"\n\nUsing historic photographs and descriptions, an international team of architects and engineers has restored the Ridvan garden to its original character, assisted by the Israel Antiquity Authority which provided a conservation survey of the entire site and carried out part of the work.\n\n\"Our mission was to re-create the island as it had been at the time of Baha'u'llah,\" says Khosrow Rezai, a representative of the design team who oversaw the project. \"So our task was to investigate and find as much historical evidence as we could about how it looked, so we could bring the island back to life.\"\n\nThe two water canals have been reinstated on either side of the garden at their original locations, leading to the flour mills – some of which have also been restored. \"We found an aquifer 40 meters underground and are using it to feed the canals,\" says Mr. Rezai. \"But the configuration of the canals gives the impression that the water is once again coming from the mountains and is flowing out towards the ocean.\"\n\nWith the re-creation of the garden's original setting, pilgrims can now experience the feeling of a spiritual retreat. \"We have tried to convey, to the extent possible, the tranquillity of the garden prepared by 'Abdu'l-Baha as a place where Baha'u'llah could find rest,\" says Mr. Rezai. \"Being able to see the water gives you an amazing feeling. You cross it, you smell it, you hear it. Hopefully it transmits the sense of happiness and joy that Baha'u'llah felt.\"\n\nAlbert Lincoln agrees that the restoration has brought about a radical change in the atmosphere of the place. \"It's part of the territory that comes with being a religion born in historical time – as opposed to archaeological time – that we have the possibility of doing authentic restoration and of recreating quite closely the feeling that prevailed when Baha'u'llah was actually here. He referred to it as 'Our Verdant Isle' and wrote some beautiful things in which he describes Himself actually sitting in the garden at the time when it had water around it.\n\n\"In one passage, Baha'u'llah says that He was here in the garden enjoying 'its streams flowing, and its trees luxuriant, and the sunlight playing in their midst.' The whole narrative that goes with it is an outdoors narrative – it's sun, wind, water – all these factors,\" enthuses Mr. Lincoln.\n\n**A unique holy place**\n\nJust visible on the southern horizon from the site, Mount Carmel rises up, the location of the Shrine of the Bab and its monumental garden terraces. They – along with the Shrine of Baha'u'llah and its environs north of the Ridvan garden – were named UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2008.\n\nBut the Ridvan Garden is unique among Baha'i holy places, says Mr. Lincoln. \"In the others, the gardens surround buildings and structures. But here, the holy place is in itself a garden, and on a more intimate scale than the others.\"\n\n\"With its conservation – and the restoration of the flour mills – the whole site says something about the historical roots of the Baha'i Faith in this land and how they are intertwined with the history of the country,\" he says."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572339-79701.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Some of the 15 flour mills that once operated in parallel at the southern end of the Ridvan Garden have also been restored. This view shows the mill buildings, and some newly-created island features in the water."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572342-79702.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Visitors to the Ridvan Garden now enter through this simple gateway and across a blue, stainless steel bridge."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572343-79703.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The restoration work has reinstated a bridge as an entrance to the Ridvan Garden. The original wooden bridge has been replicated exactly in stainless steel, painted blue. A weir has been created beneath the bridge to enhance the sound and movement of water as it flows south towards the flour mills. \"The restoration has brought about a radical change in the atmosphere of the place,\" says Albert Lincoln, Secretary General of the Baha'i International Community."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572342-79704.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Top: An historic view of the Ridvan Garden - c.1909 - depicting visitors seated on the benches under the shade of the mulberry trees, at a time when the original canals flowed around the garden. Bottom: The same view today of the restored garden, showing its distinctive carved wooden benches and decorative paving created with tiles and river stones."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572339-79705.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Top: A photograph from the 1920s shows the original canal behind the benches on the east side of the Ridvan Garden. Bottom: The garden as it appears today following the restoration of water. The seat behind the tree with two potted plants in front of it is the spot where Baha'u'llah often rested in the garden."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572343-79706.jpg"},"imageDescription":"With the restoration of the canals around the Ridvan Garden, its carved blue benches are once again cantilevered out over water."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572336-79707.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Left: A hand-colored black-and-white photograph from c.1903 shows Baha'is at the house in the Ridvan Garden where Baha'u'llah often spent the night. The original canal can be seen passing by the side of the house. Right: A rear view of the house as it looks today with the canal reinstated. River pebbles sourced in Egypt - that have the same shape, texture and colour of stones found in Israel - provide the impression of an old stream."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572340-79708.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A view of the entrance to the fully-restored flour mill building close to the Ridvan Garden, showing a part of the water channels which once powered 15 mills in parallel. The building was chosen for full restoration because its structure was largely intact and only needed a new roof. Accessibility to the mills is provided by an extensive wooden boardwalk that encircles the restored structures."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572335-79709.jpg"},"imageDescription":"An interior view of the fully-restored mill building with its working mill on the right. The mill complex with its canals, arches and buildings, is unique of its kind and size - and condition of conservation - in Israel."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572340-79710.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A north-facing view of the Ridvan garden, left, restored to its original island setting through the restoration of water channels."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572336-79711.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Left: A water well at the north end of the Ridvan Garden powered by a donkey, photographed in 1921. Right: The well as it looks today after restoration."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572347-79712.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A south facing view from the water well towards the bridge at the entrance to the Ridvan garden."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Historical interest articles from the Baha'i World News Service"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":792,"relatedStoryCaption":"Centenary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's embarking on journeys to the West."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":768,"relatedStoryCaption":"21st century technology used in four-year project."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":642,"relatedStoryCaption":"UN committee determines Baha'i Holy Places possess \"outstanding universal value\"."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":796,"evergreenUrl":"un-secretary-general-voices-concern-over-human-rights-abuses-iran","title":"UN Secretary General voices concern over human rights abuses in Iran","description":"The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, has once again expressed strong concern over Iran's ongoing human rights violations,...","date":"2010-10-18","customDateline":false,"city":"UNITED NATIONS","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572312-73200banki-moon.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543572312-73200banki-moon.jpg"},"imageDescription":"UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, whose latest report on human rights abuses in Iran specifically highlighted the country's ongoing \"discrimination and harassment\" of its Baha'i community.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, has once again expressed strong concern over Iran's ongoing human rights violations, including its persecution of Iranian Baha'is.\n\nIn a report issued Thursday, Mr. Ban highlighted his continuing concerns over Iran's use of torture and the death penalty, its poor treatment of women, and repeated violations of due process of law and of freedom of assembly, speech and religion.\n\nThe report also strongly criticized Iran's failure to protect the rights of minorities, such as the Baha'i, Sufi, Baluch and Kurdish communities.\n\nOver the last year, Mr. Ban said, there was \"a noticeable increase in application of the death penalty, including in cases involving political opponents and juvenile offenders. Discrimination persisted against minority groups and in some cases amounted to persecution.\"\n\nThe Secretary-General has been \"deeply troubled\" by reports of \"excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests and detentions, unfair trials and possible torture and ill-treatment of opposition activists in relation to the post-election unrest in 2009.\"\n\nThis year's report quite specifically highlighted Iran's ongoing \"discrimination and harassment\" of its Baha'i community.\n\n\"Members of unrecognized religions, in particular the Baha'i, who comprise the country's largest non-Muslim religious minority, face multiple forms of discrimination and harassment, including denial of employment, Government benefits and access to higher education,\" said the report.\n\n\"Some members of the Baha'i community have faced arbitrary detention or the confiscation and destruction of their property.\n\n\"Fires had been deliberately set to partially or totally destroy homes and vehicles, and a cemetery in Marvdasht had been vandalized. The incident was allegedly reported to a number of Government agencies, but no official action has been taken,\" the report said.\n\nThe report also took note of the trial and reported sentencing of seven Baha'i leaders, observing that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed \"deep concern\" over the absence of international observers and the lack of due process in that trial, which concluded in June.\n\n\"The High Commissioner voiced grave concern that the criminal charges brought against the above-mentioned individuals appeared to constitute a violation of the Islamic Republic of Iran's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in particular those of freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression and association,\" said the report.\n\nMr. Ban's report was released in response to last year's resolution of the UN General Assembly on human rights in Iran. That resolution specifically asked the Secretary General to report on any progress Iran makes during the year on human rights issues. It is the third such report that Mr. Ban has issued on human rights violations in Iran in as many years.\n\n\"What is surprising is the degree to which the government of Iran has completely ignored these annual reports from the UN Secretary General, who has so clearly articulated in them the international community's concerns about Iran's failure to meet its human rights obligations,\" said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\n\"For three years now, Mr. Ban has called attention to Iran's abusive and illegal treatment of women, juveniles, minorities, and journalists, not to mention common citizens who merely wish to voice their own concerns.\n\n\"Mr. Ban has also repeatedly expressed concern over Iran's systematic and on-going persecution of the Iranian Baha'i community, who are discriminated against solely because of their religious belief.\n\n\"We believe that the time has come for the UN General Assembly – to which this report is directed – to appoint a special envoy to monitor the human rights situation in Iran,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\n**Special Report - \"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\"**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a [Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) which includes articles and background information about the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals. The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world.*"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baha'is in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"United Nations Report"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[The situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/796_UNSecGen_report.pdf)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":795,"relatedStoryCaption":"Archbishop of Canterbury signs statement."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":793,"relatedStoryCaption":"20-year jail-terms reportedly changed to 10 years."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":789,"relatedStoryCaption":"Widespread injustice condemned."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":795,"evergreenUrl":"uk-heads-religion-call-release-irans-seven-bahai-leaders","title":"UK heads of religion call for release of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders","description":"Britain's most prominent heads of religion have called for the release of the seven Baha'i leaders serving prison sentences in Iran. A statement...","date":"2010-10-07","customDateline":null,"city":"LONDON","country":"ENGLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1687959778-bwns-default-missing-image-endslate-still-8-1-1.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Britain's most prominent heads of religion have called for the release of the seven Baha'i leaders serving prison sentences in Iran.\n\nA statement by the United Kingdom's religious leaders – describing the sentencing of the seven as a \"gross violation of the fundamental human right to freedom of religion\" – was signed by, among others, the Archbishop of Canterbury – who is the head of the worldwide Anglican communion; the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster; the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth; and the Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Great Britain.\n\nThe statement notes that despite calls from the international community calling upon the Iranian authorities to follow \"humanitarian and legal norms\", the seven were sentenced \"for reasons which in the view of all independent observers are solely based on their faith.\"\n\n\"These sentences form part of a wider picture over many years of severe harassment of the Baha'i community,\" says the statement.\n\nThe seven Baha'i leaders – Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm – were all members of a national-level group that, with the Iranian government's knowledge, helped see to the minimum spiritual needs of Iran's 300,000-strong Baha'i community.\n\nAfter being incarcerated without charge for 20 months, and six brief court appearances, the seven were each reportedly sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for propaganda activities against the Islamic order and the establishment of an illegal administration, among other allegations. All the charges were completely and categorically denied. It was reported last month that the sentences have been reduced to 10-year jail terms.\n\n\"We view this act as a gross violation of the fundamental human right to freedom of religion and call on the Iranian government to fulfill their obligations under article 18 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights to review the case and to ensure that the treatment of these 'prisoners' accords with justice and due process as defined in the Iranian constitution and law,\" wrote the United Kingdom's religious leaders.\n\n\"We call upon all governments and people of good will to call upon the the Iranian authorities to review this decision and to cease harassment of the Baha'i community.\"\n\n\"We extend our sympathies to the Baha'i community at this difficult time and hope that the widespread and growing international concern over this matter will cause the Iranian authorities to correct this flagrant injustice,\" the statement said.\n\nThe statement is signed by The Most Reverend Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury; The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster; Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks; Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain and chair of Religions for Peace UK; Mr. Jay Lakhani, Hindu Academy; Mr. Arjan Vekaria JP, President, Hindu Forum of Britain; Dr Indarjit Singh CBE, Network of Sikh Organisations; and Dr Natubhai Shah MBBS PhD, Network of Jain Organisations, Council of Dharmic Faiths.\n\nReports of the sentencing of the seven Baha'i leaders has provoked a global chorus of condemnation from governments, human rights organizations, other groups and countless individuals. On 26 August, Cardinal Keith O'Brien – the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh and head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland – also condemned the imprisonment of the seven describing it as a \"most appalling transgression of justice and at heart a gross violation of the human right of freedom of belief.\"\n\n\"We are deeply moved by the sympathy and solidarity expressed by the UK's significant religious leaders for our beleaguered brethren in Iran,\" said Dr Kishan Manocha, the United Kingdom Baha'i community's director of external affairs."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Special Report - \"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"The Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes articles and background information about the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community.\n\n[Read the Special Report](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Baha'i World News Service Stories"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":793,"relatedStoryCaption":"20-year prison sentences reportedly reduced following appeal."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":789,"relatedStoryCaption":"Widespread injustice condemned."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":790,"relatedStoryCaption":"Increasing numbers of governments and supporters raise their voices against jail terms."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null}],"lang":"en","language":"en","location":"/archive/49/"}},"staticQueryHashes":["2762707590"]}