Australian Baha’is are drawing attention to an open letter to the head of Iran’s Judiciary which exposes the treatment of seven Baha’i leaders in that country and calls for the human rights of all Iranians to be respected.

Written on behalf of the Baha’is of the world, the letter states that the injustices against Iran’s Baha’i citizens are a “reflection of the terrible oppression that has engulfed the nation.”

Australian Baha’i Community spokesperson Tessa Scrine said the letter to Ayatollah Mohammad Sadeq Larijani contrasts Iran’s persecution of Baha’is with its call for Muslim minorities to be treated fairly in other countries.

“Everything Iran claims to seek on the world stage is contradicted by its treatment of its own people at home,” Ms Scrine said.

Horrific conditions

Ms Scrine said the letter describes the horrific prison conditions imposed upon the seven innocent Baha’i leaders who were sentenced recently to 10 years jail on charges widely regarded as spurious by the international community.

“After being moved from Evin Prison to Gohardasht prison, the seven leaders are being forced to endure appalling filth, exposure to disease, lack of facilities for basic personal hygiene and cells so crammed that it is difficult for them to lie down," Ms Scrine said.

“Their health has worsened and they have no access to medical treatment,” she said.

Australian Parliament

“The letter, written on behalf of 186 national Baha’i communities, outlines in stark and compelling detail the injustices to Baha’is and others in Iran that have been condemned by governments and parliaments worldwide, including the Australian House of Representatives less than one month ago,” Ms Scrine said.

“It describes the ‘many reprehensible measures’ resorted to by officials during the detention, trial, sentencing and recent appeal of the Baha’i leaders who are now in the third year of what is termed ‘temporary detention’,” she said.

“No evidence was presented against them, and they can’t even seek bail or be granted leave from prison because the judiciary has failed to formalise its verdict,” she said.

“Two of those Baha’i leaders have siblings who are long-time Australian citizens who are understandably very worried about them.

“The judiciary should immediately set free the seven leaders and all the other Baha’is in Iran incarcerated for their beliefs.”

Ms Scrine noted that the open letter said that redressing the wrongs suffered by the Baha’is would bring hope to the hearts of all Iranians that Iran is ready to ensure justice for everyone.

“The Australian Baha’i community commends the letter to the attention of all Australians who are committed to justice,” she said.

For a complete report and to read the open letter visit the Baha’i World News Service.

Young Baha’is from around the world are spending their gap year based at the Baha’i Temple in Sydney from where they carry out volunteer work and serve the nearby community.

Every year about a dozen young people base themselves at the Temple for what Baha’is call a “youth year of service”. Many others serve for a shorter period during the summer months.

Human resources coordinator at the Baha’i National Office, Mona Momtazian, said the work of the youth is characterised by energy, vitality and devotion.

“Their work is highly valued by the permanent staff and visitors to the Temple,” Ms Momtazian said.

Among those involved this year is Andre Kepner from Bolivia.

“I am giving six months of my life to serve and grow spiritually, which follows Baha’u’llah’s teaching to ‘let deeds, not words, be your adorning’,” Andre said.

“My focus in this service is on children’s classes in Pittwater public schools. As I teach the students scripture classes, I feel I grow spiritually too.”

Brook Michael from Eritrea previously served in Sudan.

“I have been an eyewitness to the love and unity in diversity of our group of youth – serving the community is a blessing and it’s fun,” Brook said.

Saori Matsumoto from Japan said the five months she has spent at the Baha’i Temple have taught her patience and how to focus on a task to complete it.

“Prayer and reflection in the serene atmosphere of the Temple has also helped me to have a clearer idea of what I want to do with my life,” Saori said.

Alex Jamshedi from the United States also looked ahead: “So far I have learned a lot of life skills which will definitely help me in my future.”

Australian Baha’is also carry out their year of service based at the Temple.

“A part of my service has been to help organise interfaith devotional meetings as well as help with children’s classes,” said Arezou Afshari from Baulkham Hills, Sydney.

“We hold a prayer and meditation meeting every Monday night”, she said.

“I am hoping that more local people will come so we can have fellowship with them. The program is really beautiful and we all consult on spiritual themes afterwards.”