Baha'i News: Romanian personalities demand human rights for Iran's Baha'is

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Romanian personalities demand human rights for Iran's Baha'is
http://news.bahai.org/story/883


BUCHAREST, Romania, 25 January 2012, (BWNS) – Almost 70 prominent Romanians are 
calling upon the government of Iran to grant Baha'is their fundamental human 
rights. 

Sixty-eight celebrated figures – from the worlds of academia, arts, banking, 
business, media and medicine – have signed a petition, appealing to the Iranian 
authorities to cease its systematic campaign of persecution of the Baha'is, 
"who seek only their rights under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 
including the right to life, the right to liberty and security of person, the 
right to education and work, and the right to practice their religion..."
 
The letter was instigated by Radu Gabrea, a renowned film director, along with 
Istvan Haller of Romania's National Council for Combating Discrimination.   
 
Among the signatories are internationally-acclaimed actress Maia Morgenstern, 
best-known for her portrayal of Mary in "The Passion of the Christ;" television 
news presenter Andreea Berecleanu; well-known drummer Ovidiu Lipan Tandarica; 
and a former government minister, Ilie Serbanescu.

The petition highlights the case of the seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders, as 
well as Iran's "repeated attempts to hinder the progress of the Baha'i 
community's efforts to educate its young people," and a "litany of other abuses 
and violations of their fundamental rights." 

"We do not understand...why the Iranian state sanctions the incitement of 
hatred against the Baha'is in Iran, why it allows fire bombings and torchings 
of their places of business, and other forms of terrorization, that seek to 
drive them out of their towns and cities..." the petition states. 

"We do not understand why they are harassed when burying their dead, why Baha'i 
cemeteries are desecrated, why they are denied business licenses, why their 
businesses and properties are confiscated, and why the Baha'is are denied work 
and pensions."

Della Marcus of the Romanian Baha'i community said it is unprecedented for such 
a large number of prominent people to speak up for the cause of the Baha'is in 
Iran.

"We pray that this petition will contribute to making  it clear to the Iranian 
government that there are many around the world that do not accept their 
state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'is," said Ms. Marcus. 





To read the article online and view photographs, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/story/883

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