Concerns Raised Over Deteriorating Conditions for Baha'i Prisoners in Iran

The Baha'i International Community expressed concern over the transfer of several prisoners from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, including 15 Baha'i prisoners, to a new section of the prison with "worse conditions and special security oversight." Diane Ala'i, representative of the Baha'i International Community at the UN in Geneva, stated on Wednesday, August 16, that "the recent events at Gohardasht Prison are very concerning. These Baha'is are not only unjustly imprisoned for their beliefs but are now facing additional pressure and inappropriate treatment that has no justification and even contradicts Iranian law." According to the report, last month, prisoners from one section of Gohardasht Prison were moved by officials to a newer section of the prison that has more security equipment, including surveillance cameras and microphones installed even in the bathrooms and toilets. This transfer occurred without prior notice, and prisoners were not allowed to take their personal belongings, even essential items like medicine and clothing. The report adds: "Immediately after this transfer, family visits for the prisoners were cut off, and news of the dire conditions of the prisoners, some of whom suffer from serious illnesses, has raised concerns." Ms. Ala'i also urged officials to "address this issue as quickly as possible." She requested guarantees for "an acceptable standard of living in prison" and called for an end to such "violent behavior." The transfer of prisoners from one section to another within a prison is legal, but it must be done with prior notice. The report emphasized that "currently, about 95 Baha'is are imprisoned in Iran, all of whom have been arrested solely for their religious beliefs." This report was published one day after the U.S. State Department released its annual report on the state of religious freedoms worldwide in 2016, which criticized the continued violation of the rights of religious minorities in various countries, including Iran. Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated in a press conference regarding the 2016 report on the state of religious freedoms worldwide that in Iran, Baha'is, Christians, and other minorities are prosecuted for their religious beliefs. Iran continues to execute individuals under vague apostasy laws, and in 2016, 20 people were executed on charges of "waging war against God." The U.S. Secretary of State added: "Today, members of the Baha'i community in Iran are imprisoned solely because of their beliefs." In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson described the U.S. State Department's report on the violation of religious freedoms in the Islamic Republic as "biased," "political," and "unacceptable." According to the IRNA news agency, Bahram Qasemi stated that the report presents "once again a distorted and political image" of the state of religious freedoms in the Islamic Republic. In this context, the Baha'i International Community referred to the sentence issued for the murderers of a Baha'i citizen in Yazd as "clear religious discrimination in law."