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.