78
publicly demonize non-Muslims and refer to them as ―sinful animals‖ and ―corrupt.‖ In early 2008, the
Iranian parliament began considering a new law that would impose serious punishments, including the
death penalty, on converts from Islam. In September 2008, a committee in the Majlis approved
advancing the amended language on apostasy, which could be passed by the full Majlis in the near future.
Although the Iranian government has in the past applied the death penalty for apostasy under Islamic law,
it has not been explicitly codified. If the proposed law is passed, it would further endanger the lives of all
converts from Islam, particularly members of the Baha‘i faith, who are already considered apostates, even
if they are fourth- or fifth-generation Baha‘i adherents.
Baha’is
The Baha‘i community has long been subject to particularly severe religious freedom violations in Iran.
Baha‘is, who number at least 300,000, are viewed as ―heretics‖ by Iranian authorities and may face
repression on the grounds of apostasy. Since 1979, Iranian government authorities have killed more than
200 Baha‘i leaders in Iran, and more than 10,000 have been dismissed from government and university
jobs. Baha‘is may not establish places of worship, schools, or any independent religious associations in
Iran. In addition, Baha‘is are barred from the military and denied government jobs and pensions as well
as the right to inherit property. Their marriages and divorces also are not recognized, and they have
difficulty obtaining death certificates. Baha‘i cemeteries, holy places, and community properties are often
seized or desecrated, and many important religious sites have been destroyed. In recent years, Baha‘is in
Iran have faced increasingly harsh treatment, including increasing numbers of arrests and detentions and
violent attacks on private homes and personal property.
Nearly 400 Baha‘is have been arbitrarily arrested since 2005 and, at end of the reporting period, at least
75 Baha‘is remain in prison on account of their religious beliefs. Dozens of Baha‘is are awaiting trial
while others were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 90 days to several years. All of those convicted
are reportedly in the process of appealing the verdicts. According to human rights groups, more than 300
Baha‘is have cases that are still active with authorities, despite having been released from detention. Also
in recent years, Baha‘i cemeteries in various parts of the country, including Tehran, Ghaemshahr,
Marvdasht, Semnan, Sari, Yazd, Najafabad, and Isfahan, have been desecrated, defaced, or in some way
blocked to the Baha‘i community. Over the past several years, several articles in the government-
controlled newspaper Kayhan, whose managing editor is appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah
Khamenei, have vilified and demonized the Baha‘i faith and its community in Iran. Iranian authorities
also have gone to great lengths in recent years to collect information on all members of the Baha‘i
community in Iran and to monitor their activities.
In March and May 2008, seven Baha‘i leaders – Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naemi,
Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm – were arrested and taken to the
notorious Evin prison in Tehran. After numerous postponements, the trial for the five men and two
women started in January 2010 and concluded in June. They were formally charged with espionage,
propaganda activities against the Islamic order, the establishment of an illegal administration, cooperation
with Israel, acting against the security of the country, and corruption on earth. In August 2010, the seven
Baha‘is were sentenced to 20 years in prison and moved to Gohardasht prison in Karaj, a facility known
for violence between inmates and unsanitary conditions. In September, authorities informed the seven
Baha‘is orally that the 20-year sentences were reduced to 10; however, prison authorities told the seven in
March 2011 that the original 20-year sentences had been reinstated. Attorneys for the seven Baha‘is,
including Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi, have had extremely limited access to their clients and court
proceedings and have said categorically that the charges against them are baseless. USCIRF met with
family members of the imprisoned Baha‘i leaders when they visited Washington in February 2011.