Attacks On Iranian Bahá’ís Continue

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF NEW ZEALAND
-- OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

PRESS RELEASE -- ISSUED 8 JUNE 2007: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Attacks On Iranian Bahá’ís, From The Elderly
To Primary School Children, Continue Unabated

Reports indicating an intensifying trend of persecution against the Bahá’ís in Iran are causing concern for Bahá’í communities throughout New Zealand.

Suzanne Mahon, spokesperson for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of New Zealand, says reports and documents filtering out of Iran over the last six months indicate a widespread and calculated effort by the government to maintain and gradually intensify the persecution of Iranian Baha'is.

In comments reported yesterday by the Bahá’í World News Service (www.news.bahai.org), principal Bahá’í representative to the United Nations, Bani Dugal, expressed dismay regarding recent information received from Iran.

"The cumulative trend is one of an exceedingly ominous nature, and something of grave concern to Baha'is around the world,” said Ms Dugal.

The evidence tells of continued efforts by the government to identify and monitor Baha'is; further incidents of abuse and discrimination directed at Baha'i students and children; stepped-up efforts to deprive Baha'is of their livelihood; and ongoing attacks on the Baha'i Faith in the official news media.

"The considered view is that these recent incidents are being provoked and often methodically planned by the Information Ministry, in order to create fear, make the Baha'is physically vulnerable, and instill in them social and occupational insecurity.

"The clear intent is to separate Iranian Baha'is from their fellow citizens by generating suspicion, mistrust, and even hatred so that the social, economic, and cultural progress of this innocent religious minority continues to be blocked and its community life destabilized,” said Ms Dugal.

Over recent years a number of Iranian Baha’is have settled in New Zealand, many of whom still have family in Iran.

For the Bahá’í World News Service report, please see http://news.bahai.org/story/552

For detailed information, see http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran/update

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