Continued Suppression of Baha'is by the Islamic Republic; Ban on Selling Products from Companies Owned by Baha'is

A lawyer has reported a ban on the sale of products from certain companies owned by Baha'is in major stores across several cities in Iran. Sina Yousafi wrote on the social media platform 'X' that the Ministry of Intelligence summoned the owners of large stores in Tabriz and other cities, prohibiting them from selling products from the 'Rafuneh' company, citing the Baha'i ownership of the company as the reason. Yousafi mentioned some of these stores, which he claims include 'Hyperme, Deli Market, Ojoz Market, Bayram, and Kourosh.' He wrote: 'In recent days, in addition to the increase in arbitrary arrests of Baha'is in various cities of Iran, we are witnessing an intensification of the suppression policy through the prohibition of business and deprivation of their social rights by the Islamic Republic.' Baha'i citizens have systematically faced execution, widespread social and political discrimination, and illegal actions including arrests and desecration of their cemeteries since the February 1979 revolution in Iran. Unofficial sources indicate that over 300,000 Baha'is live in Iran, but the Islamic Republic's constitution does not recognize the Baha'i faith. Suppressions and restrictions against Baha'is in Iran have intensified in recent years. One of the latest cases is the trial of 15 Baha'i women accused of 'educational and promotional activities contrary to Islamic law' in the first branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Isfahan on October 4. These 15 Baha'i women were each sentenced to 5 years in prison, a fine of 50 million tomans, 5 years of deprivation of social services, and a 2-year travel ban. The Baha'i International Community, coinciding with the presence of Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the 14th Government of the Islamic Republic, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, issued a statement emphasizing that 'promises have no impact on the bitter reality,' declaring that the harassment and suppression of Baha'is in Iran has intensified. The statement also emphasized: 'The Baha'i International Community is alarmingly aware of new instances of the government's ongoing efforts to cleanse Iran of Baha'i history and identity.' Previously, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed concern over the increasing pressure on religious minorities in Iran and the Islamic Republic's campaign against Baha'is. This commission reported that over the past several decades, the Islamic Republic officials have systematically targeted Baha'is, Christians, Gonabadi Dervishes, Zoroastrians, Yarsanis, Shia and Sunni Muslims, and non-religious individuals with harassment, arrests, long-term imprisonment, exile, or prohibition from participating in political and social activities. A Baha'i couple residing in Gorgan was arrested. A hearing for the charges against 10 Baha'i women in Isfahan; they have been accused of 'propaganda against the regime.' The Baha'i International Community's reaction to Pezeshkian's presence at the UN: Suppression of Baha'is in Iran has intensified. Negar Mithaqian, a Baha'i citizen living in Shiraz, was accused of 'propaganda against the regime.' Suppression of Baha'i citizens in various cities of Iran; Negar Mithaqian was arrested in Shiraz. The Ministry of Intelligence agents raided the residence of Baha'is in Tabriz; three were arrested. The Revolutionary Court of Isfahan summoned 10 Baha'i women in Isfahan.