New Pressure On Baha'is In Iran Revealed

In a March 9 press release, the International Federation for Human Rights reported on a recently discovered set of minutes (full text in English translation) of a September 2020 meeting in the city of Sari, Iran of the Commission on Ethnicities, Sects and Religions. The minutes reflect decisions to increase pressure on Baha'is in the city.  A resolution adopted at the meeting provides in part:

To control the misguided movements of the subversive Baha’i sect, it was decided:

A- The intelligence, security and law enforcement community should conduct strict controls at the county level by monitoring their operations, the type of services provided to the networks and websites of enemies, private and public meetings, and their other activities....

B- Departments of Education in Districts 1 and 2 of Sari shall increase the level of alertness and awareness among school principals and educators on their handling of Baha’i students in order to win them to Islam.

Huthi Court In Yemen Upholds Anti-Baha'i Death Sentence and Dissolution Order

AFP reports that on Sunday, a Huthi run appellate court in Yemen upheld the death sentence of a member of the Baha'i faith, despite international appeals on his behalf:

Hamed bin Haydara, who has been detained since 2013, was not allowed into Sunday's hearing in the capital Sanaa that rejected his appeal against the sentence imposed more than a year ago, the community said....

The rebels are linked to Iran, whose Shiite clerical regime bans the Baha'i faith....

The Baha'i International Community reports that there have been 18 appeals court hearings since bin Haydara was sentenced.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a press release condemning the decision and said that the same court also upheld an order requiring dissolution of Baha'i institutions in Yemen.

U.N. Experts Decry Prosecution of Baha'is In Yemen

In a press release yesterday, the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner has called for the Shia Muslim Houthi rebels who control the city of Sana'a in Yemen to stop the persecution of Baha'is.  The release focuses on the prosecution of 24 individuals, 22 of whom are Baha'is, in Sana's Specialized Criminal Court on charges of apostasy, teaching of the Baha'i faith and espionage. The espionage charges are punishable by death.  UN News reports on the call by U.N. experts.

Senate Condemns Iran's Persecution of Baha'is

Last week (Dec. 21), the United States Senate passed by unanimous consent Senate Resolution 139 condemning Iran's state-sponsored persecution of it Baha'i minority and, more broadly, Iran's continuing violation of international human rights covenants.  The U.S. Baha'i Office of Public Affairs issued a press release announcing the Senate's action and setting out additional background.