Conversation with Simin Rouzgar.

In Iran, a religious minority has been facing anger and violence for almost four decades; apart from executions and physical elimination, they are constantly subjected to various forms of intimidation, insults, and false accusations by security institutions. They are deprived of education in universities and higher education centers, are not employed in government offices, and even in some cases, their cemeteries have been destroyed and their deceased have been desecrated. In recent years, their personal shops have also been sealed, and these citizens have been under severe economic pressure in various provinces such as Mazandaran, Isfahan, and West Azerbaijan. This religious minority is known as “Iranian Bahá’ís”.

Recently, the prosecutor of Mazandaran has pursued the case of Bahaians whose shop was sealed. He said, “Your name is not mentioned in the Constitution and on the first days, we made a mistake by giving you a business license. But now we have come to the conclusion that we should invalidate all licenses. Bahaians should one day have a fate like the Afghans, where they are not allowed to eat or drink.” (1)

But what has been the economic situation of Iranians in the past four years – during the first term of President Hassan Rouhani? In this issue of Khat-e-Solh, we have had a conversation with Dr. Farhad Sabetan, an economics professor at California State University and spokesperson for the Baha’i International Community, about this matter.

In your opinion, has President Rouhani’s term resulted in any significant improvements, particularly in the situation of the Baha’i community in Iran?

The first term of President Rouhani began with hopeful promises, as he declared the Charter of Human Rights and it seemed that the human rights situation in Iran was on the path to improvement. However, despite the many promises made by him to end discrimination against religious minorities in Iran, it became clear in a very short period of time that not only no action was taken, but the situation for Baha’is worsened day by day. For example, a few months after President Rouhani took office, in a report dated October 22, 2013, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed (the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran) stated that “there is no sign of improvement in the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the situation remains very concerning.” He also mentioned the situation of religious minorities in Iran, including Baha’is, Christians, Sunni Muslims, and others, saying that they are “increasingly subjected to various forms of judicial discrimination, in matters

Some believe that in the past, pressure on the Baha’i community in Iran was mainly in the form of legal actions, but during the period of Mr. Rouhani, it has taken on different forms, such as putting pressure on the economic arteries of Baha’i citizens through methods like sealing their businesses. To what extent do you agree with this issue? Have there been fewer legal actions and instead more economic pressures?

This evaluation is completely accurate; in addition, legal harassment continues. Unfortunately, the economic oppression of the Baha’is has taken on new forms that did not exist before. Since the revolution, Baha’i citizens have been systematically dismissed from their jobs and their retirement benefits have been cut off. Baha’is were completely banned from employment in government ministries and agencies, and private companies were warned to dismiss their Baha’i employees and prevent them from being hired. This official anti-Baha’i policy was registered in a confidential letter from Hojjat al-Islam Mohammad Golpayegani (2), on behalf of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution, on February 25, 1991, under the leadership of the Office of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, which clearly stated, “The system’s approach to them should be such that their progress and development is blocked,” and “In universities, both in admission and during their studies, if it is revealed that they are B

However, the official policy of the Islamic Republic, not only does not limit itself to the above-mentioned cases, but also includes economic apartheid, with the aim of creating poverty in the Baha’i community and, in other words, destroying the Baha’i community as an active and constructive society. This policy is pursued through intensified economic attacks, spreading lies and intimidating the public about the Baha’i faith, and separating the Baha’i community from Iranian civil society. During President Rouhani’s term, the systematic and targeted sealing of Baha’i-owned businesses has intensified. Baha’i business owners, in order to observe their religious rituals, close their businesses for a few days each year. However, the authorities of the Islamic Republic have deemed this action as a threat to national security and have sealed these businesses. As a result, the last means of economic livelihood, namely the personal activities of Baha’i citizens in the private sector, have been declared illegal and Baha’is are officially

In your opinion, why has increasing economic pressure been adopted by the security apparatus against Baha’i citizens as a method or strategy? Do they believe this method is more effective for dealing with the situation, or have they adopted it because of pressure on the Iranian government regarding human rights violations?

The history of suppression of the Baha’i community in Iran, which began with executions, beatings, torture, imprisonment, and intimidation, and continues with deprivation of education, employment, retirement benefits, and even the right to burial and peace in Baha’i cemeteries, shows that the organized and official policies of the Islamic Republic have not been successful in weakening and dismantling the Baha’i community, despite the immense pressure they have imposed on the community. Baha’i citizens in Iran have endured these hardships and have continuously tried to serve their country through constructive resistance. The messages of the Universal House of Justice (the governing body of the Baha’i community) to the Baha’is of Iran, which are now available without any restrictions, commend and encourage the law-abiding and peace-loving approach of the Baha’i community. However, since these methods have not been effective, a new strategy is being implemented by the security apparatus, with the goal of completely dissolving the

One of the other problems that puts pressure on the Baha’i community is the spread of rumors and negative propaganda. This issue has always existed throughout Baha’i history; however, do you think these rumors are still being spread by the security apparatus or could there be other reasons? Examples include internal relationships within the Baha’i community, presenting false information about the beliefs of its followers, and so on.

In general, countries where widespread and systematic violations of human rights occur – not as exceptions, but as a rule – are forced to justify this policy. The best justification for violating human rights of a particular group is to exempt them from the concept of human rights and label them as enemies, foreigners, spies, impure, infidels, anti-government and anti-nation, deviant and misguided sect, etc., in order to prepare the minds of the public for discrimination, hatred, and pressure. In other words, if people’s minds are so manipulated and distorted that concepts such as suspicion, hatred, and otherness easily replace love, friendship, and compassion, then not only can the violation of human rights be justified, but it can also become a means of mobilizing the masses against the targeted minority and turning the crime of an individual or ruler into a collective and acceptable norm. Unfortunately, this policy has existed since the beginning of the emergence of the Baha’i community and has now successfully

The dissemination of lies, incitement of hatred, creation of division, and intimidation towards the Baha’i community and citizens in Iran is a clear example of this policy, which in recent years has resulted in at least twenty thousand documented cases. A detailed investigation of this issue between December 17, 2009 and May 15, 2011 revealed that approximately 440 articles or reports, 58 seminars, conferences, and workshops, 5 official exhibitions, three television documentary series, three individual television programs, three radio series, two software databases available online or on disk, and at least two websites dedicated to fighting the Baha’i faith have been published. A detailed report of the media campaign to incite hatred against the Baha’i community is available. (7)

In your opinion, to what extent have these rumors been able to infiltrate among the people and change the mindset of other members of society towards Baha’i citizens?

Fortunately, Iranian compatriots have discovered through their nature and motivation to resist against the Baha’i community, and have shown more support than ever in supporting their Baha’i brothers and sisters. However, it cannot be denied that the widespread and relentless cultural and moral attack against the Baha’is has had no effect on the minds and behaviors of some Iranian compatriots.

Global society research has documented several instances of violence and aggression against Baha’is. For example, in a recent report titled “Unpunished Violence: Persecution and Attacks Against the Baha’i Community in Iran”, at least 49 Baha’i homes and businesses have been set on fire and in over 30 other cases, these properties have been targeted with hate slogans. Additionally, at least 42 Baha’i cemeteries throughout the country have been desecrated and damaged. Furthermore, hundreds of Baha’i school children have been subjected to insults and harassment by teachers and school staff. Four specific examples highlight the wide spectrum of these attacks:

In the year 1388 in Shiraz, one night at a gas station, a Baha’i man was attacked by unknown assailants with a knife. He thought he was being targeted by a group of thieves, so he offered them all the money he had with him, but they refused. Instead, they stripped him naked and after threatening to hang him, they burned sixteen points on his body with a cigarette.

In 1386, a 16-year-old Baha’i student girl in the outskirts of Tehran became the target of repeated harassment and bullying by a group of religious extremists who seemed to be monitoring her movements. From Aban to Dey 1386, these unknown individuals would call her and threaten to kill her. Then one day, they forcibly put her in a car and before they could escape, they attacked her and broke her glasses.

In the autumn of 1389, more than twelve properties belonging to Bahá’ís in Rafsanjan were targeted by arson attacks. At the same time, threatening letters were sent to the homes and workplaces of about 20 Bahá’ís, stating that if the owners of the properties did not sever ties with Muslims or employ them, the bombings would cease.

In November 2011, unidentified individuals in the city of Abadeh desecrated the Bahai cemetery by digging up a grave and removing the body of a Bahai from its coffin. They then drove over it with some type of vehicle. This was the second time that this cemetery had been desecrated.

“Let us talk about more serious pressures, such as the self-immolation of Baha’i citizens. In addition to executions carried out by the Iranian government, there are also cases of self-immolation by incited elements. Do you have any statistics on the extent of these threats? What do you know about their origin and how much do you consider it a serious threat against Baha’i citizens?”

With great regret, some of our compatriots who are followers of their own ignorant and fanatical leaders have been influenced by the speeches and sermons of their religious leader to rise up in violence and aggression against the Baha’is, causing significant harm. Recently, two Baha’i citizens (Mr. Ataollah Rezvani in Bandar Abbas and Mr. Farhang Amiri in Yazd) were murdered simply because of their belief in the Baha’i Faith, to the point that the murderers of Mr. Amiri have admitted that their motive for killing him was his faith in the Baha’i Faith. There are numerous other examples in this regard, which are detailed in the report of the Baha’i International Community, accessible to the public.

Thank you for the opportunity you have given us.

Notes:

1- Sabeti, Kian, “Closure of 94 Baha’i shops in Mazandaran; No one is accountable”, Iran Wire, 14 Esfand 1395.

2- “The Problem of the Bahais” is a confidential document that was discovered during Ronaldo Gallindopole’s trip in 1991, a special human rights reporter, and is accessible in Iran.ن

Asun website

3- Resistance to issuing a business license, accessible on Googleن

The website “Asun”

4- Prevention of the economic growth and progress of Bahaians, accessible in the past.ن

Website Easy

Cancellation of work permit, accessible in 5-شیتد پرس

The website of Associated Press

6- For more information, refer to.

The website “A Collection of Handwritings and Messages from the Supreme Court of Justice”

7- Hate Movement: Iran’s media campaign to demonize the Baha’is.ستان

The website of Vooluleh in the city.

November 23, 2011

8- A Bahai citizen was killed in Bandar Abbas, one of the southern cities of Iran.

BBC Persian website

September 4th, 2013

9- A Bahai was killed in Yazd; “Religious Hatred” attack with a knife.

Voice of America website

November 6th, 2016

10- Violence without Consequences: Conflict and Aggression against the Baha’i community in Iran, a special report from the global Baha’i community, 2019.

The Bahá’í World website

March 2013