Baha'i News: Three years on, Iran's imprisoned Baha'i leaders symbolize the oppression of a nation

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Three years on, Iran's imprisoned Baha'i leaders symbolize the oppression of a 
nation


GENEVA, 16 May 2011 (BWNS) – The injustice being faced by countless citizens of 
Iran has been highlighted around the world, as supporters marked three years 
since the arrest of the country's imprisoned Baha'i leaders.

In a message dated 14 May, addressed by the Universal House of Justice to the 
Baha'is of Iran, the jailed leaders were referred to as true prisoners of 
conscience. The letter also spoke of the numerous Iranian men and women who 
have accepted to face hardship for the sake of defending their freedom and 
human rights.

Their plight was recalled at special gatherings, which included a reception on 
Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.; a service at the Baha'i House of Worship in 
Sydney, Australia; and prayer meetings, held in numerous places of worship 
throughout the Netherlands.


Reception in Washington D.C.

In the United States, some 300 congressional staff, representatives from human 
rights groups, media personnel and community members, attended a meeting at 
Washington's Hart Senate Office building on 12 May, while a worldwide audience 
logged on to a live webcast of the event.

The event was hosted by U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, who spoke about a resolution he 
recently introduced condemning the persecution of the Baha'is.

"I have been very focused on the condition of Baha'is in Iran," said Senator 
Kirk. "Especially thinking about the seven Baha'i leaders, I think we need to 
begin to memorize their names. 

"They are serving 20 years in prison on baseless charges and I am here today, 
as I have been for many months now, showing my support from them, and more 
importantly introducing their individual names to the American people," said 
Senator Kirk, who recited aloud the names of the seven prisoners to the 
audience.

They are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, 
Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. They were formerly members 
of a national-level ad hoc group that helped attend to the needs of the 
country's 300,000-strong Baha'i community. 

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Kathleen Fitzpatrick told the 
reception that, while democratic evolution, change and reform is under way in 
the Middle East, "the Iranian authorities continue to use the brutal tactics of 
repressing their citizens, even as at times they applaud protestors in other 
areas..." 

"Baha'i and other religious minorities...continue to be subject to arbitrary 
arrest, persecution and unjust sentences," said Ms. Fitzpatrick. "These 
circumstances typify not only the life of religious minorities in Iran but also 
of all Iranians and reflect the oppression that has engulfed the nation at the 
hands of its leaders." 

In his remarks, Kenneth E. Bowers – Secretary of the National Spiritual 
Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States – noted that those "languishing in 
Iranian prisons" include not only Baha'is but "lawyers who do nothing more than 
represent their clients, journalists attempting to ensure that the public 
receives accurate information, and others such as students and bloggers who 
express views that the regime does not see as supportive of their policies."

In other speeches, U.S. Representative Michael Grimm praised the resilience of 
the Iranian Baha'i community; actor Eva LaRue shared stories about the two 
women in the group; and Iraj Kamalabadi, brother of Fariba Kamalabadi, 
delivered closing remarks.

Grammy-award winning musician KC Porter performed a new song, titled "Yaran", 
which he composed after learning about the prison conditions and the 
overwhelming evidence of the Baha'i leaders' innocence. 


Events in Australia and the Netherlands

More than 500 people also observed the third anniversary at a special 
interfaith service on the theme of justice, held yesterday at the Baha'i House 
of Worship in Sydney, Australia. Among the special guests in attendance was the 
convener of the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations, Professor 
Abd Malak, an Egyptian Coptic Christian. 

The Australian government among many others has been active and vocal in their 
support of the seven Baha'i leaders – and human rights in Iran more broadly – 
said Natalie Mobini-Kesheh, Director of the Australian Baha'i community's 
Office of External Affairs.
 
"It's important that we, as the public, continue to voice our concern, so that 
the Iranian government knows that the world is watching," she told a reception 
held in the House of Worship's information centre.

Also in attendance was Mehrzad Mumtahan, a nephew of Saeid Rezaei, who spoke of 
the hope the prisoners feel, knowing that total strangers are thinking of them.

In the Netherlands, 24-hour vigils and other prayer gatherings were held 
throughout the country to mark the anniversary. In Amsterdam, special prayers 
were said at the Roman Catholic Salvator church. At the city's Russian Orthodox 
church, the names of the seven prisoners – as well as Christian and Jewish 
victims of religious persecution in Iran – were read aloud.

A Protestant church in Veldhoven, the Sisters of Charity congregations in 
Hertme and Eindhoven, and the Hindu Shree Raam mandir in Wychen, also joined 
the commemoration. In Utrecht and the Hague, prayers were said in Jewish 
synagogues. 

"I stay connected in prayer with those brave ones," said Awraham Soetendorp, 
Rabbi of the Reform Jewish community of the Hague. "May all the prayers 
together open the door to freedom." 

The human rights group, United4Iran, launched a poster campaign drawing 
attention to the fact that by 14 May, the seven suffered 7,734 days in prison. 
The campaign calls upon supporters to make their own posters indicating the 
number of days of imprisonment, or to take a picture or video holding a 
pre-prepared poster. 

Further events marking the anniversary are being planned around the world, 
including a "Solidarity Concert" in New Delhi, India, this Thursday. 




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http://news.bahai.org/story/823

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