Iran’s government was condemned at the UN for denying desecration of Baha’i cemeteries. International observers, including Professor Nazila Ghanea, criticized Iran’s attempts to mislead regarding violations against Baha’i burial rights. The report highlighted systemic discrimination, with the Baha’i community facing ongoing persecution and repression, prompting calls for accountability and protection of their rights.
In a recent session of the UN Human Rights Council, Iran’s government faced criticism for denying violations against the Baha’i community, particularly regarding cemetery desecrations. Professor Nazila Ghanea, the UN Special Rapporteur, highlighted Iran’s inability to conceal its discrimination against Baha’is concerning burial rights. This response follows Iranian representatives disputing the report A/HRC/58/49, which indicated that Baha’is are prevented from using designated grave sites, instead being forced to use mass grave areas.
The Iranian government attempted to misrepresent its actions regarding cemetery land allocation by asserting compliance with national regulations intended for equitable access. These claims were criticized for diverting attention from a systematic pattern of discrimination faced by Baha’is, contradicted by existing evidence of ongoing violations against this religious group.
Professor Ghanea emphasized the grave situation, stating that the destruction of hundreds of Baha’i cemeteries over decades cannot be brushed aside under the guise of private land laws. She condemned unnecessary delays imposed on Baha’i burial processes by authorities, highlighting the broader persecution of religious minorities in Iran.
Simin Fahandej, representative of the Baha’i International Community, reinforced the urgency of the matter, declaring that Baha’is are not only denied peaceful existence but even the dignity of a proper burial according to their beliefs. She pointed out the psychological toll these actions inflict on grieving families.
In the past year, at least 14 Iranian cities have reported desecration or government interference with Baha’i cemeteries, leading to forced management by intelligence agents. This has included imposing unjust fees for burials and barring Baha’is from adhering to their funerary customs.
International responses, including a statement from Canada, emphasized the need to protect burial rights for Baha’is and expressed concern over the consistent disrespect shown toward their funeral practices. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Baha’is have endured consistent assaults on their burial rights, often faced with forced interments against their wishes.
The harsh treatment of Baha’is aligns with longstanding government policies aiming to marginalize this community, as noted in 1991, when a confidential document authorized efforts to hinder their social progress. Systemic violations include arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, and cultural exclusion, with Iranian officials persistently denying such abuses.
The Iranian government’s practices against the Baha’i community, particularly concerning burial rights, represent serious human rights violations. Despite attempts to deny and misrepresent these actions, the ongoing desecration of Baha’i cemeteries and systematic persecution highlights a broader effort of cultural cleansing. The international community is urged to hold Iran accountable and advocate for the rights and dignities of the Baha’is in Iran.
Original Source: iranpresswatch.org
