Australian relatives of seven Baha’i leaders jailed in Iran delivered heartfelt pleas for justice for their loved ones when they addressed a reception following a special service for the seven at the Baha’i Temple in Sydney on 15 May 2001.
The occasion was one of many held around the world to mark the third anniversary of the jailing of the seven leaders, whose names are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm.
Many in the capacity audience were reduced to tears as they heard of the life-threatening conditions under which the seven have been held during the three years since they were rounded up in dawn raids.
There were calls for the immediate release of the seven in accordance with the demand of governments and human rights organisations worldwide.
Sydney filmmaker Mehrzad Mumtahan, whose uncle Saeid Rezaei is one of the seven, said most of the group had developed serious illnesses due to the condition of their captivity both before and after their sham trial in 2010.
“My uncle has suffered from abdominal pain throughout his incarceration but has been denied surgery,” Mr Mumtahan said.
“He has asked for continued prayers because it gives them hope that total strangers are thinking of them,” he said.
As some relatives attempted but failed to speak through their tears, others described the harsh conditions in the prisons, the bravery and fortitude of the seven, and their repeated requests for prayers.
“I can’t imagine how they go through this and show a brave face,” said Saman Samimi, whose cousin Mahvash Sabet is one of two women among the seven leaders.
“They are unbelievable souls,” he said.
Earlier at the service in the Temple, the program highlighted the call for justice found in all the scriptures of the world.
Interfaith support
In greeting those attending the reception, Australian Baha’i Community external affairs director Natalie Mobini welcomed members of other faith communities including Professor Abd Malak, the convenor of the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations, the umbrella body representing Australia’s major faith communities.
Dr Mobini also acknowledged the presence of two members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia, Dr Eric Kingston and Dr Golshah Naghdy.
Dr Mobini said no evidence has been produced for any of the charges against the seven.
“These seven individuals are among 74 Baha’is, members of the country’s largest non-Muslim religious minority, who are in prison today due solely to their faith.” she said.
“These 74, in turn, form a small part of a much larger number of people – including journalists, lawyers, union officials, women’s activists, religious and ethnic minorities, and many others – who are experiencing terrible abuse of their human rights in Iran today.”
Poignant messages
Eloquent and poignant messages were read to the reception from Australian siblings of two of the seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders.
Roya Kamalabadi from Melbourne said that her sister Fariba Kamalabadi and the only other woman among the seven, Mahvash Sabet, could face an “undignified imminent death” unless there was an ever-increasing strong, united signal from the international community that such an egregious violation of religious freedom and human rights would not go unnoticed.
She said the two were being held at Qarchak prison in the outskirts of Tehran, a facility much worse than the notorious Evin and Gohardasht prisons where they were previously held.
“It is filled with filth of human waste and urine due to having only two or three open toilets for about 300 to 400 prisoners under one roof,” she said.
“There is no air circulation, no cell walls, and few beds,” she said.
“These seven selfless individuals are the most pure, the most innocent, and truly godly and saintly human beings who have devoted their entire life, on a purely voluntary basis, to the service of their fellow countrymen, homeland and government.
“In return for these unselfish and noble acts, they are withering in captivity.”
Love of humanity
Adelaide Baha’i Amin Tavakkoli said his jailed brother, Behrouz, is a devoted husband, a father of two sons and a university lecturer and psychologist who has devoted his career to helping mentally and physically ill children.
“My brother’s hands which once spent their days helping disabled children are now holding the cold bars of a jail cell. His tongue that once gave voice to the vision of a harmonious future for humanity is now silent within the shadows of cold, concrete walls.
“Despite this, his heart that has spent its entire life beating only for the love of humanity continues just as strongly to play a melody of love and hope. My worry is that in the severe conditions of this jail, my brother’s heart might become mute.”
For details of events marking the anniversary in other parts of the world, visit the Baha’i World News Service