A revolution without rights? Women,Kurds and Baha’is searching for equality in Iran

Balatarin
Share/Save/Bookmark

A revolution without rights? Women,Kurds and Baha’is searching for equality in Iran
by faryarm
11-May-2009
 


While Iran as a global security threat is a regular news feature, the life of ordinary Iranians rarely gets the profile it deserves. I congratulate the Foreign Policy Centre for offering a fresh perspective on Iran: a unique insight in to the treatment of women, Kurds and Baha’is. This report is an important contribution to the debate, and an important part of ensuring that improving Iran’s human rights record stays firmly on the agenda of think tanks, academics, activists and policymakers worldwide.

Women, Kurds, Baha’is and other minority groups in Iran clearly continue to face significant problems. Women suffer systemic discrimination through civil and penal codes and legal processes deliberately designed to work to their disadvantage. There are some appalling violations of human rights highlighted in the report; cases of women experiencing sexual violence or sentenced to death by stoning. Iranian Baha’is are denied any level of internal community organisation: seven leading members of the Baha’i community remain detained without formal charges since their arrest in May. Baha’is suffer from lack of access to higher education through policies deliberately designed to threaten the future development of the community. The draft penal code currently being considered by the Iranian parliament is deeply concerning: it sets out a mandatory death sentence for the ‘crime’ of apostasy. If adopted, this would violate the right to freedom of religion and could have serious consequences for religious minorities in the country.

Discrimination against Iran’s Kurds and other ethnic minorities is also on the increase. Large numbers of the Kurdish community, including journalists, trade unionists, students and human rights defenders, were detained this summer on charges of endangering national security. Some were sentenced to imprisonment. Last month a group of Azeri rights activists were also arrested.

The situation of women, Baha’is and Kurds reflects some of the wider human rights concerns in Iran. Iran consistently fails to meet the international commitments that it is signed up to, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party. It ignores its own laws and terms of its own constitution such as arbitrary arrest and the denial of due process. And it is increasingly and worryingly – using vague, national security-related charges such as ‘acting against state security’ and ‘propaganda against the system’ against individuals who are exercising their right to peaceful protest. In recent months a number of human rights activists have been handed severe prison sentences, of up to eleven years, on these types of trumped up charges. The cases are dealt with behind closed doors, in Revolutionary Courts. Freedom of expression has been under increasing pressure in past years. Newspapers, websites and other publications are regularly closed down and their editors threatened for crossing red lines, providing critical commentary or including material that might be considered un-Islamic. Paranoid, and often violent, clampdowns on all forms of organised protest have affected teachers demonstrating for a living wage, women’s rights defenders campaigning for an end to discriminatory laws, trade unionists calling for basic labour rights, and students protesting against corruption.

The increasing use of the death penalty is particularly concerning, especially its continued use against juvenile offenders, including seven already confirmed in 2008, and the practice of public and mass executions. Criminal punishments such as amputation and stoning still occur.

The increasing prominence of human rights groups in Iran is a promising development; take for example that Campaign for Equality launched in August 2006 to peacefully mobilise support for women’s rights and to press for change to Iran’s discriminatory laws, including some of those highlighted in this report.

The campaigners and volunteers aim to collect one million signatures on a petition calling for legislative change, in line with Islamic law. The Iranian government’s arrest and imprisonment of some women connected to the Campaign is completely unacceptable, and we must, as an international community, lend whatever support we can to these groups to enable them to continue their vitally important work. The effective participation of women and minorities in all spheres of life is a prerequisite for democracy and good governance, and can make a significant contribution to economic development. Iran is a nation with a proud history, including – as the Foreign Policy Centre points out – the development of the first known human rights charter and the first parliament in the Middle East. Iran must fulfill this historical potential, and accept that it has responsibilities to its people, to the region and to the wider international community. The international community must take responsibility to lobby the Iranian government and support those within Iran who are bravely fighting for their human rights. I hope that this report will be a valuable resource to inform the fulfillment of our collective responsibility.

Please see full document //fpc.org.uk/fsblob/1013.pdf By Geoffrey Cameron and Tahirih Danesh

A revolution without rights?

Women,KurdsandBaha’issearchingforequalityin

Iran

PrefacebyLordMarkMallochBrown

Balatarin
Share/Save/Bookmark

Recently by faryarmCommentsDate
THE GARDENER by Mohsen Makhmalbaf (Trailer)
8
Oct 04, 2012
IRANIAN TABOO VOA Broadcast on Voice of America Persian Service
12
Jun 25, 2012
Setareh's Letter نامه ستاره
2
Jun 14, 2012
more from faryarm
 
default

Anahid1, read this please

by Badi19 (not verified) on Wed May 13, 2009 05:58 AM PDT

//iranian.com/main/blog/orthodox-bahai/in...

and you have not answered my previous comment.
Why did you dragged Orthdox Baha'is in US court? Please answer.


  •  
default

Badi19

by Anahid1 (not verified) on Wed May 13, 2009 02:24 AM PDT

Who is persecuting??!!

Blogs written by "Orthodox Baha'i":
//iranian.com/main/member/orthodox-bahai

Good luck, sir!

//reference.bahai.org/search?max=10&lang=en&f...


  •  
Reza 41

آین پرچم وطن پرستانه ای که شما بردید بالا مهر انگلیس پاش خورده ک

Reza 41
Tue May 12, 2009 11:41 PM PDT

جنابان آقایان محترم ننگی که شما نمایندگیش را میکنید را با هیچ رنگی پاک نمیشه .
 باز هم به شما پیشنهاد میکنم خودتون این الواحی که می فرمایید بنده دروغش را میگویم بله همانهایی که پیامبران معصوم علیه وآله شما در وصف این  ابلیسگلیس های بی ناموس گفتند رو خودتون داوطلبانه بیارید که مرد م بخوانند که خدایی نکرده این منفی بافان کافر به خدای شما (مثل من) اثر بدی روی این الواح مقدسه نگذاشته باشند . بیارید و اگر نه بنده به عنوان دفاع از شما خودم بیارم . بعد که آمد فلگ ملگم نکنید ها مال خودتونه . داوطلبانه بیاورید
از همینجا اعلام میکنم تا ١٢ ساعت اگر این آقاین این کار را خودشون داوطلبانه کردند که هیچ اگرنه بنده به عنوان روشن شدن بیشتر موضوع و حفظ آبرویی که ایشان با پرچمهای لرد های ابلیسی که پاش امضا کرده مثل این بالایی سعی در بردن آبروی ایران و ایرانی هستند موظفم برای صیانت ملت شریف و باشرف ایران این ارجیف را رو کنم. وسلام علیکم و رحمت الله و برکاتوو خدایا خدایا تا انقلاب مهدی ایران را سربلند و ابلیسگلیس و مزدوران خائن به مملکت را از میان بردار و معتقدین مظلوم و گرفتارعام در این فرقه را نجات بده از دست اینها .. همه بگویند الاهیییییییییییییییی آمییییییییییییییییین


  •  
default

Why do you hate those people who r critical of your belief.

by Badi19 (not verified) on Tue May 12, 2009 11:07 PM PDT

Isn't it against humanity and against the teachings of Bahaolah that you hate some person because he is critical of your belief. Didn't Bahaolah loved Subhi Azal although he was a mischief maker....


  •  
default

To Anahid1 dear

by Badi19 (not verified) on Tue May 12, 2009 11:05 PM PDT

why did you prosecuted oxthodox bahais into US courts? Please answer.


  •  
farshadjon

Reza Khan, Please read this carefully!

by farshadjon on Tue May 12, 2009 08:34 PM PDT

Agha Reza,

I’ve already mentioned in another blog that your writing style and the words that you are using is similar to a person with 6th grade old school education (Akaber). You have no knowledge or ability to engage in a civilized/fair conversation and you have shown this fact many times.

You have not used even one reasonable argument to justify your claims. You keep using words and names against other people that you deserve them yourself. Please refrain from using this kind of language in future.

This is a public website to exchange ideas among Iranians. We have freedom of speech but you are taking advantage of this fact and using this concept to undermine other groups. I suggest DEAR SIR that you look at the poverty and disappointments that your beloved religion/their representatives have presented to the Iranian nation and spend some time to find the root cause of all these problems instead of attacking other people.

This was just a friendly reminder to you. Next time, I will use the language that you understand very well!

P.S. Inja Chale Maydon Nist Keh…


  •  
default

Badi19

by Anahid1 (not verified) on Tue May 12, 2009 12:55 PM PDT

Religion is something personal, but I am not amazed that Baha'is treat covenant-breakers as cancer.I think the answer is clear, sir!

//iranian.com/main/member/covenant

//iranian.com/main/member/nur

//iranian.com/main/member/ravian-bilani

//iranian.com/main/member/mona-tahiri


  •  
default

Haj Reza 41,

by Goleh Narges11 (not verified) on Tue May 12, 2009 08:10 AM PDT

kam kam gandesh dareh bala miad. Go to this recent blog and make some comments.

//iranian.com/main/blog/mineum71/iranian-mull...


  •  
Alexx

To Reza 41!

by Alexx on Tue May 12, 2009 07:34 AM PDT

اقا رضا
بعثت سید علی محمد باب در سال ١٨٤٤میلادی در شیراز اتفاق افتاد .یعنی ١٦٥ سال پیش!
کی شما ها میخواهید اسناد وابستگی بهاییان را به انگلیس و اسراییل و و و و... به ایرانیان و جهانیان نشون بدید ؟؟! ١٦٥ سال کم هست؟

نماز و روزه تان قبول

 


  •  
default

To Anahid1

by Badi19 (not verified) on Tue May 12, 2009 07:19 AM PDT

This things are not done in public but you people treat Covenant Breakers as 'Cancer' and you want Baha'is to be away from them. Isn't it like that? Why did you people prosecuted Orthodox Baha'is in US court of Law?


  •  
default

"Badi19"

by Anahid1 (not verified) on Tue May 12, 2009 07:04 AM PDT

Persecution, sir??!!

How many times do Baha'is have written blogs against Azalis, Bayanis, "Ortodox Baha'is" ?and How many times do Azalis/Bayanis/(=Ravian Bilani=Nur=N.Hazini=Mona Tahiri=covenant=Sophie=...) /"Orthodox Baha'is" have written blogs against Baha'is?


  •  
default

"Badi19"

by Anahid1 (not verified) on Tue May 12, 2009 07:02 AM PDT

Persecution, sir??!!

How many times do Baha'is have written blogs against Azalis, Bayanis, "Ortodox Baha'is" ?and How many times do Azalis/Bayanis/(=Ravian Bilani=Nur=N.Hazini=Mona Tahiri=covenant=Sophie=...) /"Orthodox Baha'is" have written blogs against Baha'is?


  •  
Tahirih

Faryar aziz, great post.

by Tahirih on Tue May 12, 2009 06:07 AM PDT

Thanks for posting.

Regards,

Tahirih


  •  
default

Why do you persecute ....

by Badi19 (not verified) on Tue May 12, 2009 02:49 AM PDT

... Orthodox Baha'is, Azalis, Bayanis, Covenant Breakers ?


  •  
default

preface by a Lord???

by Ωω (not verified) on Mon May 11, 2009 08:40 PM PDT

I don't like Lords!


  •  
default

Reza 41,

by Goleh Narges (not verified) on Mon May 11, 2009 08:36 PM PDT

In chrandiat che hast minevisi bach akhondeh ashghal be mozo be chasb. Do you have anything to say about what is in this blog if not shut the heck up. Joke e Irnian.com shodi va abreoyeh harche mosalmoneh ke to bordi ba in arajifet. Hamin englisha boodan ke in khondaro endakhtan be jooneh ma Iranihayeh bichareh.


  •  
faryarm

Dear Ruhi,

by faryarm on Mon May 11, 2009 08:22 PM PDT

Thanks for your kind comment.

This paper is not my analysis, but an effort on my behalf to highlight an excellent paper written by a western Bahai student discussing the plight of women; kurds and Bahais.

faryarm 


  •  
Ruhi

What a shame!

by Ruhi on Mon May 11, 2009 08:12 PM PDT

Dear Faryar, very nice analisis.

I hope Agha Reza could instead of attacking Bahais, defended the weakend and undermined position of so called Isalm that does not respect the rights of anybody, majority or minority, except for an elite that is in power.


  •  
default

Reza41: in your opinion

by Anonymous.bitaraf (not verified) on Mon May 11, 2009 07:57 PM PDT

Reza41: in your opinion Bahais are guilty and deserve to be punished by harsh inprisionment

Why do you and like you persecute sunnis?

Why does the IRI look down on women?
why Kurds and Bluchis and other ethnic groups are persecuted?

Why sufis? why teachers and labor union leaders?

why unhappy workers who are behind in receiving their payments?
why are arab and azari minorities ?

why some even shia muslim clerg in jail?

why are so many students in jail?

Why are journalist arrested and detaind in jail?

why are there some people from the regime itself who criticise the regime and its members for their corruption in jail?

I understand quite well your position, you are paid quite well for the job you are doing.
As I read in one of the previous blogs from a distinguished member of Iranian .com,[ you are just a t**g from IRI that has all the time to write nonsense.


  •  
faryarm

Agha Reza41, please Try COMEDY instead.

by faryarm on Mon May 11, 2009 08:41 PM PDT

Agha Reza,

Once again you dont make any sense... 

I think you have read too many Raddiyyihs.

You can not compensate for your bankruptcy in ideology; with a total disregard for history and fact, by constantly trying to distort and  disrupt blogs by empty spam such as the above gibberish.

EVERYBODY is now aware that when you can not address the issues, you turn to conspiracy theories, tired , and  discredited historical falsehoods. 

Sir, Agha You dont even have the correct facts; you references are an embarrassing sign of your utter lack of familiarity with the subject.

Agha Reza, you have proved incapable and unable to engage or convince  any proponent of  modernity and progressive thought, including Bahais.

If you and your leaders of Islamic thought In Iran were capable of a fair and civilized discourse, on any level, from scripture to human rights; you would organise a Publicly televised discussion between Shia experts and Bahais to prove your case.

You and the Mullahs (are you one?)are incapable of this, because even without such public forum or rights, Iranians, suspicious of the kind of lies and IR propaganda fed to them, are hungrily seekng and searching for the facts, in defiance and despite the aggressive filtering of Authentic Bahai and other Human Right Sites.

Agha Reza, if you have nothing to say, pay attention to the matter at heart, or turn to comedy.. like your very first blog..

Kindly respect yourself and the intelligence of others in any further baseless remarks. 

Please stop trying to defend the Islamic Republic and stand up for Justice.  

faryarm

 


  •  
Reza 41

سلطنت الهی انگلیس

Reza 41
Mon May 11, 2009 07:05 PM PDT

جناب فریام
    این پیامبران  صلوات علیه وآله شما که اینقدر از این انگلیس تمجید و تعریف کردند و پشت سر هم لوح پشت لوح بر ای شاه جرج پنجم و ملکه الیزابت جون  و حکومت سلطنت  ایشان را  الهی خواندند و به دنیا توصیه کردند و با عکس گرفتن جلوی پرچم نجسشان به ایشان قداست بخشیدند , از روی پارتی بازی هم که شده نمیتوانستند آینده ای که خبر ش را  داشتند بگویند که اینها میخواهند ١٠٠ سال آینده خواهر و مادر ما  ایرانیان را بگ...د ؟ این چه سفارشات و لوحهایی بود آخه اینها که خواهر مادر که چه عرض کنم ... بابا معرفت و وفا هم خوب چیزیه
در شروع قائله ملی شدن نفت: مصدق وقتی پی برد ایشان (اینگلیسهای دزد و غارت گر و جانی)از سهم ١١ % که قرار بوده به ما بدهند در عمل چیزی حدود ١.٤% تا بحال(حدود ٤٥ سال) میدادند , طی نامه ای از ایشا ن خواست حق نظارت بر برداشت نفت را به ما برگردانند؛ این روباهان مکار و دزدان خونخار با عکسل العمل هر چه خشن تر این درخواست را رد کردند و به ایشان وصله نوکری روس را چسباندند و ایشان را تهدید به از دست دادن پست صدارت کردند . این در حالی بود که خرج امنیت لوله ها و تامین جاده به عهده ایران بود .حال خود سود ایزان را از این نفت حساب کنید. بله این حقیست که   این مفتخوران و خائنان حلقه بگوششان برای خود قائلند و باید داد غیر ازاین حق ادا نشده و بی عدالتیست. و هر بار با نفاق سعی دارند این پیکان(هیلمن) لعنتیشان را به ایران برگردانند. جناب فریام از شما و هم کیشانتان تقاضا دارم آغوش سرد این جنایت کاران همه کاره را رها کنید و به آغوش گرم ملتی که بهش تعلق دارید بپیوندید. خیر پیش


  •