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Thank you Mister President. thirty-five innocent Baha'is are in Iranian prisons
today. Since 2004 over three hundred unjustifiable arrests. The entire
community is constantly harassed. Arson and other violent attacks against
Baha'is have increased in parallel with widespread incitement to hatred.
Baha'i children are intimidated by teachers and school officials and Baha'i
students are denied access to university because of their religious beliefs. Trade
permits are revoked. There are twenty five lines of work from which Baha'is are banned
and the right to pensions and inheritances are denied.
This persecution directed by the government itself continues with the
ultimate goal of a eradicating the entire Baha'i Community as a viable
entity in Iran.
of particular concern is the well-being of those Baha'is unjustly imprisoned and
forced to endure very harsh conditions often for years on end.
This is the case of the seven Baha'i leaders who've been held in section
209 ... prison for over two years facing basis charges and living
each day under intolerable stress. The next session of the trial is scheduled
for twelve June but release on bail is still denied. Their cells are so small
they can hardly move around. They have no fresh air or natural light and no bedding.
Contact with their loved ones' is limited, often as little as ten minutes per week.
Of course the situation has affected their health.
Three young Baha'is in Shiraz unjustly imprisoned in 2007 are
serving their sentences in temporary holding cells. There's no furniture and
for years these prisoners have been forced to sit and sleep on the floor. They have
all developed chronic back pain as a result. The two women are held together but
the young man is in solitary imprisonment and blindfolded every time he leaves his cell. 0:01:47.490,0:01:48.530his cell.
These individuals, indeed the entire Baha'i Community of Iran have only
sought the well being and prosperity of their nation. like so many of their
compatriots who also stand for justice; they continue to pay a high-priced.
Persecuted for their beliefs made to suffer for their noble aspirations.