Farhad Sabetan to Voice of America: The Closure of Baha'i Businesses is a Sign of Government's 'Economic Suppression'

On Thursday, October 6, the spokesperson for the Baha'i World Community, Farhad Sabetan, stated in an interview with Voice of America that the ongoing closure of businesses owned by Baha'is is a clear example of the widespread violation of Baha'i rights and the 'economic suppression' by the Iranian government against them. According to HRANA, the news agency of human rights activists in Iran, the businesses of two Baha'i citizens, Arshia Rouhani and Hamid Manzavi, in Isfahan have been closed since September 21. Sabetan cited the closure of shops during Baha'i holidays as one of the reasons for the extensive business closures by the Islamic Republic. He noted that this method of government treatment towards Baha'i citizens has intensified, especially over the past seven years, resulting in the closure of businesses belonging to dozens of Baha'is in various cities, including Khoy, Bojnurd, Sari, and Shahrekord. Sabetan remarked that while the Islamic Republic officials do not allow Baha'is to close their shops for Baha'i religious holidays, they proceed to shut down these citizens' businesses. The Baha'i news service previously reported in November 2016 that over one hundred shops belonging to Baha'is across Iran, including in Sari, Qaem Shahr, and Bandar Abbas, were closed after a two-day closure for Baha'i holidays. According to the spokesperson for the Baha'i World Community, the Iranian government's economic pressures on Baha'i citizens are not limited to the closure of their businesses. Sabetan referred to the dismissal of Nafiseh Saadat-Yar, a Baha'i citizen residing in Gorgan, from her job, stating that after 15 years of work, she was dismissed on September 3 due to pressure from the IRGC agents. Nafiseh Saadat-Yar had also been arrested last year and released on bail after some time. Since the Islamic Revolution of February 1979, Baha'i citizens in Iran have systematically faced executions, confiscation of property, widespread social and political discrimination, and illegal actions including arbitrary arrests and desecration of their cemeteries. The ongoing suppression of religious minorities in Iran continues, with reports of four Baha'i women being arrested in Shiraz and Sina Shari, a Baha'i citizen, summoned to the Tabriz prosecutor's office to serve a prison sentence. An American religious freedom organization has called for the referral of the Islamic Republic's case to the International Criminal Court. Another Baha'i citizen has been prevented from pursuing education in Iran, with the organization stating, 'Your case is under review.'