According to the Islamic Constitution of Iran, Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians have certain limited rights and all other non-Muslims have no rights at all. The Baha’i religion, the largest non-Muslim religion in Iran is considered illegal and according to Iranian laws, even the killers of Bahaii individuals cannot be prosecuted. Hundreds of Baha’is have been officially executed in Iran and many others have been brutally and ritually murdered.
The Marze Porgohar Party (MPG), strongly condemns the persecution of all Iranians under current Islamic laws embodied within the Constitution, civil and criminal laws in Iran and advocates equal rights for all Iranians regardless of religion, race, sex, ethnicity, language and belief.
Recently, following the arrests of dozens of Baha’is in Iran, a directive from the Interior Ministry has been sent to all provincial governments to collect detailed information about Baha’i activities and individuals. Since the Baha’is are taught not to deny their religion and belief, their everyday situation in Islamic Republic rules Iran has always been one of fear. Considering this new directive, it is conceivable that the Islamic Republic is preparing for another wave of persecution and massacre of the Baha’is in Iran.
The MPG strongly urges all Iranian patriots, international human rights organizations and democratic governments to pressure the Islamic Republic into stopping its ongoing campaigns of terror against the Iranian Nation and in this case, against the peaceful Baha’i community.
The following is the translation of the original Farsi text of the directive on the official letterhead of the Ministry of Interior. Derogatory and humiliating terms are from the original. Translator’s notes are in parentheses ( see the original scanned text and the corresponding questionnaire form):
Emblem of the IRI
Islamic Republic of Iran
Ministry of Interior
Date: August 19th 2006
Number: 43.70878
In His Lofty Name
(To) Honorable Political-Security Deputies of Provincial Governments of the Entire Country
Salaam Aleikom,
Respectfully, according to the information sent (to us), certain elements of the perverting Baha’i cult are attempting to advocate and propagate the ideology of Baha’ism under the cover of business and social activities. Since this cult is illegal and is being used by international organizations (human rights etc…) and Zionist circles against the Islamic Republic regime, it is (hereby) requested that you order the relevant institutions (intelligence departments) to manage and monitor their social behavior, delicately and seriously. In the meantime, complete the requested information according to the attached form and send it to this Vice Ministry for processing by the sixth of September (2006). CODE
Seyyed (Title of Decendants of Prophet Mohammad) Mohammad-Reza Mavali-Zadeh
Director General of the Political Bureau
Signature
************
The Attached Form in entitled :
“The Situation of the Perverting Baha’i Cult in Each Province”
The requested information categories are:
City
Population
Economic Situation: Income, Occupation
Social Interaction
Social Information
Political and Social Activities
Principal Elements (leaders)
Contacts with Foreign Circles
Miscellaneous
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Compiled by the Human Rights Council of the Marze Por Gohar Party
