UN Experts Warn of Systematic Suppression of Baha'i Women in Iran

A group of independent UN experts expressed serious concern over the increasing systematic harassment of Baha'i women in Iran in a report released on Monday, December 24. The report states that Baha'i women in Iran are now more than ever subjected to arrest, summons, interrogation, enforced disappearances, confiscation of personal property, and long-term deprivation of rights. It recalls that two-thirds of Baha'i prisoners in Iran are women, most of whom are detained without due legal process. According to UN experts, Baha'i women in Iran face dual harassment and repression as both women and Baha'is. Previously, in November of this year, 18 UN rapporteurs and experts condemned the targeting of Baha'i women by the Iranian government in a joint letter. At that time, Radio Farda reported on the violence of the Islamic Republic against Baha'i women, revealing that 10 Baha'i women sentenced to long prison terms by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan, presided over by Mohammad Reza Tavakoli, endured various forms of 'psychological torture' and 'threats of physical torture' during their detention. In their new report, UN experts noted the torture and issuance of long prison sentences against these 10 Baha'i women, stating that they raised their concerns with the Iranian government, but officials claimed that Baha'i women face no restrictions. They expressed concern that the use of vague charges such as 'threats against national security' or 'propaganda against the regime' may be aimed at systematically limiting these women's social activities and warned against the continued criminalization of freedom of religion or belief for Baha'is. The report is signed by Maya Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran; Nazila Ghane, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief; and Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. The Islamic Republic does not recognize the Baha'i faith, and government officials have repeatedly labeled Baha'is as 'spies and enemies,' issuing numerous death sentences, arrests, imprisonments, and deprivations of education and business, as well as the destruction of homes and cemeteries belonging to followers of this faith over the past four decades.