Suppression of Bahá'í Citizens in Various Cities of Iran; Negar Mithaqian Arrested in Shiraz

Two days after government agents raided the residences of several Bahá'ís in Tabriz and arrested at least three of them, reports from Shiraz indicate that a Bahá'í citizen residing in the city, Negar Mithaqian, was arrested by agents of the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence on Wednesday, September 18, and transferred to detention center 'Plate 100'. According to the human rights organization Hengaw, government forces raided Negar Mithaqian's home without presenting a judicial warrant, and after searching the house, confiscated some personal belongings including her mobile phone, laptop, and passport. As of the publication of this report, there is no detailed information available regarding the reason for her arrest, potential charges, or the status and location of this Bahá'í citizen. Negar Mithaqian has previously faced arrests and judicial actions by government forces in Shiraz along with several other Bahá'ís. Three days prior, agents of the Islamic Republic arrested Azam Azmoudeh, Sina Aghdas, and Iraj Nourasteh, three Bahá'í citizens residing in Tabriz. Since the Islamic Revolution of February 1979, Bahá'í citizens in Iran have systematically faced execution, widespread social and political discrimination, and illegal actions including arrests and desecration of their cemeteries. Previously, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed concern over the intensifying pressure on religious minorities in Iran and the Islamic Republic's campaign against Bahá'ís. This commission reported that over the past several decades, Islamic Republic officials have systematically targeted Bahá'ís, Christians, Gonabadi dervishes, Zoroastrians, Yarsanis, Shia and Sunni Muslims, and non-religious individuals for harassment, arrest, long-term imprisonment, exile, or prohibition from participating in political and social activities. Mojdeh Falahi, a Christian convert, was also arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in Shiraz. The Iran Human Rights Campaign reported that at least 34 political prisoners have been deprived of adequate medical services in the past two and a half months. The United States has imposed new human rights sanctions against institutions and officials of the Islamic Republic. French trade unions have called for the release of imprisoned labor and civil activists in Iran.