The Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported that in the first six months of 2024, at least 34 religious and ethnic minority activists, including 17 women, have been sentenced to a total of 160 years in prison and 148 lashes by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic. According to Hengaw, during this period, at least 23 Bahá'í activists were sentenced to a total of 110 years and 2 months in prison, 8 Christian converts to 49 years and 9 months in prison, 2 Yarsan followers to 2 years in prison and 148 lashes, and one Sunni activist to 7 years in prison. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed concern on July 10 about the increasing pressure on religious minorities in Iran, stating that around 200 Iranians are imprisoned for religious or ideological reasons in the Islamic Republic's prisons. The European Union, along with over 50 members of parliament and senators from European countries, also called on the Islamic Republic on July 14 to stop the persecution of Bahá'ís. The EU's statement was issued in response to a parliamentary question in the European Parliament, emphasizing that the EU firmly demands that Iranian authorities ensure the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Iranians, including minorities like the Bahá'ís. The organization 'Defense of the Free Flow of Information' reported that the Islamic Republic has prosecuted 236 journalists and media outlets in the past six months. The controversial presence of young girls without mandatory hijab during Ashura chain ceremonies led to their summons by the police. Continued pressure on the families of the bereaved; Maryam Mehrabi's hunger strike in prison and the setting of a billion-toman bail for Rana Korkor. The appeal for the case of Sharifeh Mohammadi, a jailed labor activist sentenced to death, has been registered. Three other women's rights activists in Rasht have been arrested to serve their prison sentences.
Sentencing of 160 Years in Prison and Flogging for 34 Religious and Ethnic Minority Activists in the Past Six Months
In the first half of 2024, Iranian authorities sentenced 34 religious and ethnic minority activists to a total of 160 years in prison and 148 lashes. This includes Bahá'í, Christian, and Yarsan followers, highlighting the ongoing repression of religious minorities in Iran. The situation has drawn international concern from the U.S. and the EU regarding human rights violations.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Iran sentenced 34 minority activists to 160 years in prison and 148 lashes in six months.
- Iranian judiciary sentence 34 religious and ethnic minority activists
- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom express concern Iranian authorities
- European Union call on Islamic Republic
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Iranian judiciary's actions against minority activists signal a troubling trend in human rights.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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