NEW YORK\u201415 December 2022\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A resolution calling on the Iranian government to end its discrimination of minorities in Iran, including of the Baha\u2019i community, Iran\u2019s largest non-Muslim religious minority, has been approved by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. The resolution was first passed by the General Assembly\u2019s Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Issues, also known as the Third Committee, in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The resolution, introduced by Canada and 50 co-sponsors from all regions, passed by 80 votes in favor, with 29 against and 65 abstentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In remarks delivered at the Third Committee introduction of the resolution, Canada said it was concerned about \u201cpersistent violations, especially the systematic persecution of ethnic and religious minorities, including the Baha’i\u201d community. New Zealand called for \u201caccountability for the ongoing systemic repression \u2026 of ethnic and religious minority communities, including the Baha\u2019i\u201d community. And the United Kingdom cited the \u201csystematic repression of minority groups\u201d while Australia criticized the Iranian government for \u201cunjustifiable discrimination against ethnic and religious\u201d minorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe international community is calling on the Iranian government to stop violating the rights of minorities and to respect the rights of all Iranian citizens, including the Baha\u2019is,\u201d said Bani Dugal, the Baha\u2019i International Community\u2019s Principal Representative to the United Nations. \u201cThe Baha\u2019is in Iran know how it feels to be detained on false charges, held without due process, mistreated during interrogation, for families to fear for their loved ones, and to be slandered by the state, all for standing up for their beliefs. No one in Iran should have to experience the injustice that is unfolding across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resolutions on Iran\u2019s human rights situation have been tabled and approved each year since the early 1980s, making it one of the UN\u2019s most enduring human rights concerns, and one of only 14 current country-specific mandates. But the Iranian government is under unprecedented pressure<\/a> this year because of increasingly violent and repressive actions by the authorities against their own citizens. The UN\u2019s Human Rights Council voted on 24 November to create a special fact-finding mission to investigate the current crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The General Assembly vote also follows recent news that Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamalabadi, two Iranian Baha\u2019i women and prisoners of conscience, who are seen by many as symbols of resilience in Iran, have each been sentenced to a second 10-year jail term<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More than 320 Baha\u2019is have been affected by individual acts of persecution since the 31 July arrest of Mahvash and Fariba. Dozens were arrested<\/a> at various points<\/a> in Shiraz, across Mazandaran province, and elsewhere throughout the country. Homes owned by Baha\u2019is in the village of Roshankouh were demolished<\/a>. Government plans to tar the Baha\u2019is<\/a> through hate speech and propaganda<\/a> were also exposed. And at least 90 Baha\u2019is are currently in prison or subject to degrading ankle-band monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe whole world sees every day the bravery and heroism of all Iranians, especially women, as they stand fast and sacrifice themselves to demand justice and equality in the face of the violent and brutal repression of their rights,\u201d Ms. Dugal added. \u201cThe resilience shown by the Baha\u2019is over 43 years of persecution is an inseparable part of this story. Let this be the last year that Iran is hauled before the United Nations to be rebuked for human rights violations. Iranians deserve to be governed in a manner which they choose \u2013 and they are choosing human rights for all.\u201d<\/p>\n