Deep Concern Expressed by the U.S. State Department Regarding the Continued Suppression of Baha'is in Iran

On Monday, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department responded to a question from a VOA reporter regarding Human Rights Watch's assessment that the repression of Baha'is in Iran constitutes a crime against humanity, stating that they are deeply concerned about the suppression of the Baha'i community by the Iranian government. Matthew Miller added: 'The leadership of the Islamic Republic remains indifferent to the rights of minorities, including Baha'is, which is why UN human rights experts consider these actions indicative of a policy of systematic persecution.' He noted that Iran has been designated as a 'country of particular concern' for over 20 years due to systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedoms, adding: 'We have detailed reports of the harassment of Baha'is in Iran, including a significant increase in property confiscation and show trials leading to long prison sentences. We will continue to condemn these actions and use all available tools to counter human rights violations by the Iranian regime.' Human Rights Watch, in a report published on Monday, described the Islamic Republic's actions against the Baha'i minority as 'a crime against humanity' and stated that 'the intentional and severe deprivation of Baha'is of their fundamental rights' and 'decades of systematic repression' by the Islamic Republic's officials fall under the category of 'crimes against humanity,' and the case of the persecution of Baha'is in Iran should be examined by the International Criminal Court. Forty-three Iranian and international organizations, including Human Rights Watch, called for the extension of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran and an independent international fact-finding committee in a letter to the UN Human Rights Council early in April. This letter was issued after the fact-finding committee of the UN Human Rights Council accused the Islamic Republic of committing serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity in its first report. Human Rights Watch: The persecution of Baha'is by the Iranian government is 'a crime against humanity.' Keyvan Rahimian, a imprisoned Baha'i citizen, stated: 'The greatest discrimination is the deprivation of service for the welfare of Iran.' More than 40 Iranian and international organizations called for monitoring the human rights situation in Iran. The Semnan Revolutionary Court sentenced a Baha'i citizen to imprisonment and 'participation in cult therapy classes.' Families of the victims gathered at the graves of the deceased on the last Thursday of the year; agents closed the doors of Khavaran. The Sari Revolutionary Court tried three Baha'i citizens. The Yazd Revolutionary Court tried eight Baha'i citizens on charges of 'propaganda against the regime' and 'sacred law.' Anisa Fanaian, a Baha'i citizen, was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Exclusive; families of the victims and the injured: the IRGC should be listed among terrorist organizations.