Bahai Community Spokesperson: Violation of Bahai Rights Increased Under Rouhani's Government

The spokesperson for the Bahai community emphasized that the rights of Bahai citizens in Iran have been more trampled upon in the past four years, with Islamic Republic institutions shutting down the businesses of hundreds of Bahais without legal justification. Simin Fahandaj stated on Wednesday, May 17, to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran: "During the four years of Hassan Rouhani's presidency, the arrest and imprisonment of Bahai citizens, closure of workplaces, denial of education for Bahai citizens, and even in some cases, the murder of Bahai citizens due to religious hatred have continued." She mentioned that about 90 Bahais are currently imprisoned in Iran and, referring to Rouhani's government slogan about hope for the future and achieving justice, said: "But after four years, all types of violations of Bahai citizens' rights have increased, and Bahais, in addition to imprisonment and detention, are facing severe economic pressures." In recent months, numerous reports have emerged about the closure of shops and businesses owned by Bahai citizens in Iran. However, this event has sparked solidarity with the Bahai community in Iran, as in some cities in Mazandaran province, a group of non-Bahai merchants wrote letters to provincial officials requesting the reopening of Bahai businesses. Simin Fahandaj pointed out the economic pressures imposed by the Iranian government on the Bahai community, stating: "This is a complete injustice that a government wants to create poverty among a large segment of society. A government whose duty and goal is to create a constructive society should strive to utilize the talents and abilities of all citizens regardless of religion, sect, and race, and this is the expectation we have from the government." Hassan Rouhani's government emphasizes the implementation of citizens' rights and has drafted a charter for this purpose. However, it is unclear whether Bahais have a place in this context or not. The Bahai faith is not recognized in Iran, and Iranian officials refer to this faith as a "deviant sect." Seven leaders of the Bahai community in Iran have been imprisoned for nine years. One of the latest incidents of confrontation with Bahais occurred in April when eight Bahai citizens were arrested in the cities of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Shiraz. Concerns have also been raised about the health of Jamal al-Din Khanjani, an 83-year-old political prisoner. The arrests of five Bahai citizens in Isfahan and the recent arrest of eight Bahai citizens in Iran have continued, alongside the ongoing detention of journalists, student activists, civil activists, and Bahai citizens. A proposed resolution by American senators condemning the violation of Bahai rights in Iran has also emerged, along with a campaign in memory of seven imprisoned Bahai leaders. The United States has stated that the continued imprisonment of Bahai leaders is evidence of ongoing violations of fundamental freedoms in Iran.