Iran Press Watch: The Baha'i Community

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• Weekly Report on Violation of Baha’i Rights
• Two Baha’i Citizens Detained in Ramsar
• Baha’i Citizen Massoud Ataeian to Begin Serving His Sentence
• Shiraz Baha’i Resident Arrested
• Baha’i prisoners and violation of students’ rights in Iran
• Statement by Minister Cannon on Iran’s Continued Imprisonment of Bahá’í and Other Prisoners

Weekly Report on Violation of Baha’i Rights Posted: 18 Dec 2010 07:05 PM PST (RAHANA 4-Dec-2010) The following are the Baha'i rights violations in the past week: Massoud Ataeian, Saman Sabeti and Sepideh Masoumi have begun serving their prison sentence and a Shiraz Baha'i resident has been arrested. The following is a report on the Bahai rights violations in the past week: November 28, 2010 Massoud Ataeian to Begin Serving His Sentence Massoud Ataeian, a Baha'i resident of Ghaemshar, will begin serving his 10 month sentence in the Ghaemshar Prison. According to the RAHANA reporter, Ataeien had previously been held in the solitary confinement unit of the Sari Detention Center for 3 months. His 10 month prison sentence was upheld in the appeals court. Saman Sabeti Began Serving His Sentence Ghaemshahr Bahai resident Saman Sabeti has been transferred to the prison to serve his sentence. November 29, 2010 Sepideh Massoumi Began Serving Her Sentence Sepideh Massoumi, a Sari Baha'i resident, has been transferred to prison in order to serve her 5 month prison term. November 30, 2010 Baha'i Citizen Arrested in Shiraz Rouhollah Khaleghi, a Baha'i resident of Shiraz was arrested after the security forces appeared at his house and transferred him to an unknown location. According to the RAHANA reporter, the security forces searched his house and confiscated his computer, CDS, books and personal belongings on November 9th. They transferred him to an unknown location after arresting him. — source: http://www.rahana.org/en/?p=8173

Two Baha’i Citizens Detained in Ramsar Posted: 18 Dec 2010 07:01 PM PST RAHANA: Two Baha'i citizens were arrested on November 22nd in a religious ceremony after the security forces raided the place. According to the RAHANA reporter, Majid Agha-Safari and Seraj Kian were arrested by the security forces while participating in a religious ceremony. Majid Agha-Safari first contacted his family in Thursday. — Source: http://www.rahana.org/en/?p=8117

Baha’i Citizen Massoud Ataeian to Begin Serving His Sentence Posted: 18 Dec 2010 06:56 PM PST (RAHANA 28 Nov 2010) Massoud Ataeian, a Baha'i resident of Ghaemshahr, will begin serving his 10 month prison sentence in the Ghaemshahr prison. According to the RAHANA reporter, Ataeian was held in the Sari Intelligence Ministry Detention Center for 3 months. He was held in solitary confinement. The appeals court did not change the sentence. Since the Islamic Revolution, pressure has intensified on Baha'i citizens. After Ahmadinejad's government came into power, the pressure on the Baha'i citizens has worsened. — Source: http://www.rahana.org/en/?p=8121

Shiraz Baha’i Resident Arrested Posted: 18 Dec 2010 06:51 PM PST RAHANA: Rouhollah Khaleghi, a Baha'i resident of Shiraz was arrested after the security forces appeared at his house and transferred him to an unknown location. According to the RAHANA reporter, the security forces searched his house and confiscated his computer, CDS, books and personal belongings on November 9th. They transferred him to an unknown location after arresting him. Three other Baha'i Shiraz residents are serving the 4th year of their prison sentence and several other residents are awaiting their sentences. — Source: http://www.rahana.org/en/?p=8143

Baha’i prisoners and violation of students’ rights in Iran Posted: 18 Dec 2010 06:18 PM PST Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinajad maintains that Iran is a free country and doesn't hold political prisoners. Omid Memarian strongly disagrees. The Iranian journalist was an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience six years ago. He advocates on behalf of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran imprisoned and given long sentences for practicing their faith. Omid is also publishing a report on student rights violations in Iran. — Source: http://www.wbez.org/episode-segments/bahai-prisoners-and-violation-students-rights-iran

Statement by Minister Cannon on Iran’s Continued Imprisonment of Bahá’í and Other Prisoners Posted: 18 Dec 2010 05:46 PM PST (No. 401 – December 17, 2010 – 10:45 a.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the Government of Iran's continuing imprisonment of seven Bahá'í community leaders and the ongoing denial of legal rights to other Iranians: "I note with regret the reports that Iranian authorities are continuing the imprisonment of the seven Bahá'í community leaders whose 10-year sentence was announced in September 2010. "These individuals have been held without cause for 28 months in harsh conditions at Gohardasht Prison. The accusations against them reflect a deliberate distortion of their religion and their service to the community. Canada maintains that any imprisonment on such charges is too long and that these individuals should be released unconditionally and reunited with their families as soon as possible. "Canada remains deeply concerned by the ongoing failure of the Iranian authorities to meet their domestic and international legal obligations. The Government of Canada stands firmly with the people of Iran against human rights abuses and discrimination, as well as ill treatment of women and minorities. "We once again urge the Government of Iran to reverse the deterioration of its human rights situation and to meet its legal obligations, which include ensuring due process for all those who remain in detention." - 30 - For further information, media representatives may contact: Melissa Lantsman Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs 613-995-1851 Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada 613-995-1874 Follow us on Twitter. — Source: http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2010/401.aspx

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