wfn.org | BWNS -- UN expresses concern about Iran's Baha'is

[Bahá'í World News Service <bwns@bwc.org>]

Baha'i World News Service
See story on BWNS site at http://news.bahai.org
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UN expresses concern about Iran's Baha'is
NEW YORK, United States, 22 December 2004 (BWNS) -- For the 17th time since
1985, the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution expressing
"serious concern" over the human rights situation in Iran, making specific
mention of the ongoing persecution of the Baha'i community there.

The resolution, introduced by Canada, passed by a vote of 71 to 54 on 20
December 2004. It called on Iran to "eliminate all forms of discrimination
based on religious grounds" and took note of the recent upsurge of human
rights violations against the Baha'is of Iran. 

Specifically, the resolution noted the "continuing discrimination against
persons belonging to minorities, including Christians, Jews, and Sunnis, and
the increased discrimination against the Baha'is, including cases of
arbitrary arrest and detention, the denial of free worship or of publicly
carrying out communal affairs, the disregard of property rights, the
destruction of sites of religious importance, the suspension of social,
educational, and community-related activities, and the denial of access to
higher education, employment, pensions, and other benefits."

Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to
the United Nations, said that the worldwide Baha'i community is thankful for
the support of the international community of nations.

"As noted by the resolution, the situation for Baha'is has been worsening
this year, and expressions of concern by the international community such as
this remain the chief means of protection for Iran's beleaguered Baha'i
community," said Ms. Dugal.