The role of Australia in co-sponsoring a successful United Nations resolution condemning serious human rights abuses in Iran has earned the gratitude of the Australian Baha’i community.
The resolution passed yesterday by the General Assembly expressed “deep concern” at Iran’s “serious ongoing and recurring” human rights violations, citing:
- Torture
- An increase in executions
- Widespread restrictions on freedom of expression
- Discrimination against minorities, including members of the Baha’i Faith
The General Assembly called upon Iran to stop such violations, to release prisoners of conscience and to open its doors to international human rights monitors.
Last month Tanisha Hewanpola, First Secretary, Australian Mission to the United Nations, expressed the Government’s concerns to the UN Third Committee.
“Australia condemns the wide-spread human rights abuses occurring in Iran, including the use of the death penalty, intimidation and arbitrary arrest of human rights defenders and political activists, violation of political and media freedoms, and unfair trials,” she said
“Australia is deeply concerned by policies and practices that discriminate against ethnic and religious minorities, including Arab Iranians, Baha’is and religious converts, as well as women and girls.
“We continue to urge Iran to engage in a transparent manner with UN human rights mechanisms, including with the Special Rapporteur on Iran.”
Cruel and systematic
Australian Baha’i Community spokesperson Natalie Mobini said Australian Baha’is are extremely concerned at the widespread abuses, including “the cruel, systematic and entirely unjustified attacks on the Baha’is of Iran”.
“There are more than 100 Baha’is in prison for their faith, and many more are awaiting trial,” Dr Mobini said, adding that some were relatives of Australian Baha’is.
“Seven innocent Baha’i leaders, jailed since 2008, remain imprisoned in appalling conditions, as are Baha’i educators who provided secular education to young people.
“Young Baha’is are banned from universities, businesses are being shut down, cemeteries are being desecrated and the homes of ordinary families are subjected to violent raids, confiscation of belongings and the arrest of their loved ones.
“Iranian officials deny these abuses are occurring but the rest of the world has not accepted this patent falsehood.
“It is reassuring and heart-warming to see the Australian Government standing up against the ongoing and intensifying repression of so many people and groups in Iran.”