The legal language is not usually accessible to the public. Mr. Sultonai and Mrs. Parakand, two well-known names in the legal circles in Iran, have produced a short document and bring the specialized legal language to the public in a simple and understandable style in a document they have published: “The rights of the accused” in simple language. حقوق متهم-حقوق به زبان ساده .

Read Full Story

We Are Yaran

(26 Aug. 2010 – HRA) As you are aware seven Baha’i leaders have been incarcerated since April 2008. They we held for months in solitary confinement and then in very difficult physical condition for about two years. A few weeks ago the judge informed the legal team that each of the seven had been sentenced to twenty years in prison. The charges were propaganda against the regime, insulting Islam, espionage, among others. The trial was held behind closed doors with no coverage by free press and independent observers.
http://news.bahai.org/story/789

Read Full Story

26 August 2010

GENEVA (BWNS) — An increasing number of governments, human rights groups and prominent individuals are raising their voices against the harsh prison sentences handed down earlier this month to Iran’s seven Baha’i leaders.

As lawyers for the prisoners prepare to appeal against the 20-year jail terms, the government of New Zealand has voiced its concern that the trial “was conducted in a manner that was neither fair nor transparent.”

“New Zealand is dismayed that Iran has failed to uphold its international human rights commitments, and its own due legal processes in this case,” said Foreign Minister Murray McCully.

Read Full Story

20 AUGUST, 2010
Foreign Minister Murray McCully today expressed deep concern at the 20-year prison sentences handed down by the Government of Iran to the leadership of the Bahá’í faith.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully

“New Zealand is dismayed that Iran has failed to uphold its international human rights commitments, and its own due legal processes in this case. I would hope to see the Government of Iran grant the Bahá’í Yaran immediate bail, pending an appeal of the sentence,” Mr McCully said.

Read Full Story

In early August 2010, after over two years of detention, Iran’s 7 Baha’i leaders were sentenced to 20 years prison. Considering the advanced ages of several of these spiritual leaders, the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) has effectively dealt life sentences. These two women and five men formed the national leadership of the Baha’i community in Iran, known as ‘yaran’ or ‘friends,’ to tend to the spiritual needs of Iran’s largest religious minority. The Baha’i community faces systematic oppression and discrimination by the IRI, including denial of education and government jobs, home raids, arbitrary detention, cemetery desecration, and much more.

Please fill out the form below and send it to the Islamic Republic of Iran. You are also encouraged to forward information about this campaign and this website to others including those with influence who will be able to add to the international pressure on Iran in order to free these 7 Baha’is and expedite a fair appeal hearing.

Read Full Story

Amnesty International USA

Seven leaders of Iran’s Baha’i community were sentenced to twenty years in prison by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran on 7 August 2010. Although they have done nothing more than peacefully practice their religion, they were convicted on serious, but baseless, charges including “espionage for Israel,” “insulting religious sanctities” and “propaganda against the system.” They had

Yaran: Seven Baha'i leaders who have been in prison in Tehran.

also been charged with “ifsad fil arz” or “corruption on earth.” All seven are held in Section 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran [IPW Editor: since the sentencing, they were moved to Gohardast prison], which is run by the Ministry of Intelligence. They have only been allowed intermittent access to their lawyers while they have been in custody.

Read Full Story