Baha'i News: Desmond Tutu and Jose Ramos-Horta join calls for release of Baha'i educators

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Desmond Tutu and Jose Ramos-Horta join calls for release of Baha'i educators


NEW YORK, 26 September 2011 (BWNS) – As a number of Baha'i educators appear in 
court in Iran, two Nobel Peace Prize winners have sharply criticized the 
Iranian government, comparing its actions to "the Dark Ages of Europe" or the 
"Spanish Inquisition."

The remarks by Desmond Tutu, the Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, and 
Jose Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor, appear in an open letter to the 
academic community published today in the "Huffington Post," under the title 
'Iran's war against knowledge.' Read the letter at 
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/desmond-tutu/iran-bahai-_b_978090.html>

In the letter, the Nobel laureates call upon the Iranian government to release 
unconditionally and drop charges against the seven Baha'is currently on trial 
in Iran for their educational activities.

"The forward progress of humankind in the last centuries has been fueled, more 
than any other factor, by increasing access to information, more rapid exchange 
of ideas, and in most parts of the world, universal education," they write. 

"So it is particularly shocking when despots and dictators in the twenty first 
century attempt to subjugate their own populations by attempting to deny 
education or information to their people. 

"Not only is it futile in the long term, it makes them appear fearful of the 
very age they live in, and haunted by the new thinkers in their midst."

"Perhaps the most glaring example of this fear today is the denial of higher 
education to the members of the Baha'i Faith in Iran – a peaceful religion with 
no political agenda, which recognizes the unity of all religions," says the 
letter.


Court appearances
     
The publication of the open letter has coincided with reports that trials have 
now begun in Iran for seven Baha'i educators. They were detained in connection 
with an informal community initiative known as the Baha'i Institute for Higher 
Education (BIHE), which gave Baha'i professors – debarred by the Iranian 
government from practicing their professions – the opportunity to teach young 
community members who are themselves banned from university.

"Those arrested were neither political nor religious leaders," observe 
Archbishop Tutu and President Ramos-Horta in their letter. "They were lecturers 
in subjects that included accounting and dentistry, who today face the prospect 
of decades in prison. The crime with which they are charged – delivering higher 
education to Baha'i youth."

The Baha'i International Community has learned that six of the seven – detained 
after raids last May on some 39 homes of Baha'is associated with BIHE – are now 
being tried in pairs.

"The lawyer who was preparing to defend them is himself now in prison; two of 
the prisoners reportedly had court hearings yesterday; two appeared today and 
two tomorrow – and it seems that another was in court last week," said Bani 
Dugal, Principal Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the 
United Nations. 

"All the signs are that we cannot expect a fair trial," she added.

Ms. Dugal expressed the gratitude of the Baha'i International Community to 
Archbishop Tutu and President Ramos-Horta. 

"We thank them – as well as all the governments, organizations and people of 
goodwill throughout the world whose efforts send a clear message to the Iranian 
authorities that their actions are being closely watched and condemned," she 
said. 


Expelled for their beliefs

The open letter also highlights the plight of other Iranian youth who have been 
expelled from universities "for their beliefs or for holding viewpoints 
determined to be counter to the ruling party, including pro-reform views."

"We believe it is important to recognize that these actions are neither the 
result of or dictated by the Islamic faith. One need only look at the Dark Ages 
of Europe or the Spanish Inquisition to see that Iranian Ayatollahs are 
certainly not the first to use religion as the cloak to attempt to forcibly 
suppress ideas and knowledge that they fear could threaten their power. The 
rich philosophical and artistic Iranian traditions, the contributions of 
Iranian scholars worldwide, and the actions of the Muslim community members who 
have aided and supported the BIHE, are testament to the fact that the actions 
of their leaders are no reflection of the Muslim faith or the many good-willed 
Muslims in Iranian communities," the letter says.

"And while we believe that both historically and in today's 'wired' world it is 
futile to suppress the quest for knowledge, there are many in Iran whose lives 
are being threatened or damaged by the attempt. 

"They need our support."

Among other demands, the Nobel laureates are urging the academic community to 
register with their Iranian counterparts their disagreement with, and 
disapproval of, any policy which bars individuals from higher education based 
on their religious background or political persuasion.


Worldwide condemnation

The international outcry at Iran's persecution of Baha'i educators has spanned 
the world in the past four months, from Australia to Zambia.

On 5 September, Baroness Catherine Ashton – High Representative of the European 
Union for Foreign Affairs – expressed her "serious concern" about the attack on 
BIHE.

Three days earlier, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said the 
arrests of BIHE staff  "are based on unfounded charges of conspiring against 
national security. This institute provides valuable educational services to the 
Baha'i community, which is denied formal higher education in Iran."

The seven Baha'i educators facing trial are: Vahid Mahmoudi and Kamran 
Mortezaie, who reportedly appeared in court yesterday; Mahmoud Badavam and 
Nooshin Khadem, who were scheduled to appear today; and Ramin Zibaie and Riaz 
Sobhani, who will appear tomorrow. It is understood that Farhad Sedghi appeared 
in court on Tuesday 20 September. 






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http://news.bahai.org/story/852

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