Updated Information:
New Delhi, 9 August 2010 – The Indian Baha'i Community has received reports indicating that seven Iranian Baha'i leaders have each received jail sentences of 20 years.
The two women and five men have been held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since they were arrested in 2008 - six of them on 14 May and one of them two months earlier.
"If this news proves to be accurate, it represents a deeply shocking outcome to the case of these innocent and harmless people," said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.
"We understand that they have been informed of this sentence and that their lawyers are in the process of launching an appeal," said Ms. Dugal.
The prisoners - Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm - were all members of a national-level group that helped see to the minimum needs of Iran's 300,000-strong Baha'i community, the country's largest non-Muslim religious minority.
The trial of the seven consisted of six brief court appearances which began on 12 January this year after they had been incarcerated without charge for 20 months, during which time they were allowed barely one hour's access to their legal counsel. The trial ended on 14 June.
The defendants were accused of espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order, and the establishment of an illegal administration, among other allegations. All the charges are completely and categorically denied.
To read this article online and view the photograph, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/story/786
For the Baha'i World News Service home page, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/
For more information, contact: Mr. Shatrughun Jiwnani: 98 11 83 45 44, Landline: 011-26470526
Free all prisoners of conscience in Iran
Peaceful demonstration of Concerned Citizens and Human Rights Defenders in Madurai
Madurai (11th June 2010): Human rights defenders raised a call for the immediate and unconditional release of more than 500 prisoners of conscience in Iran, and honour human rights and freedoms. The Indian campaign comes in partnership with an international demand in more than 81 cities, led by the United4Iran, an international non-partisan network of individuals and human rights groups that is coordinating efforts around the world in solidarity with the 500 prisoners of conscience in Iranian jails, and the people of Iran. 12th June is the anniversary of the rise of the non-violent civil and human rights movement in Iran.
Over 70 human rights defenders gathered at the Vallabai Road to show their concern, they signed on memorandum demanding the release of the Seven Bahai Leaders, incarcerated in Tehran since May 2008 and awaiting the fourth session of their trial on 12th June and in support of Shirkoo Moarefi, a young Kurdish activist who has been sentenced to death. These citizens showed their concern through a peaceful demonstration carrying banners and posters depicting these prisoners and slogans that Iran should honour its human rights commitments, ensure the freedom of religion and conscience of all its citizens, stop repression of human rights defenders etc. The message was loud and clear: “Free all prisoners of conscience in Iran”.
The demonstration presided over by Mr. C. J. Rajan, Head of the Monitoring, Networking and Advocacy Unit of People's Watch. In addition to the demonstration, People's Watch is also taking out a signature campaign calling for the immediate release of the prisoners of conscience in Iran. The signed memorandum will be send to the H. E. Sayed Mahdi Nabizadeh of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Contact for further information: Ms. Anitha Princy - 9994368516 / Mr. M. J. Prabakar - 9994368501
