Brussels – in an unprecedented demonstration of solidarity, 125 members of the European Parliament and national parliaments across Europe have approved a declaration of rapporteurs and special experts from the United Nations, condemning the climbing of the persecution of Baháonian women in Iran. This marks an important step in the holding of the Iranian government responsible for its systematic targeting of religious and gender minorities.
The United Nations press release published on December 23, 2024, underlines the growing discrimination encountered by the women Bahá’ís, who endure the persecution both for their faith and their sex. UN experts have described this escalation as particularly alarming given the broader repression of women’s rights in Iran.
“In the broader context of targeting women in Iran and challenges with gender equality, this spectacular increase in persecution against Bahá’ís women is an alarming escalation,” said the United Nations experts.
The European Parliament requires immediate action
European parliamentarians have echoed the UN concerns, publishing a statement emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
“We echo the statement of the rapporteurs and experts of the UN who expressed their” serious concern in the face of what seems to be an increase in systematic targeting of Iranian women belonging to the Bahá’í religious minority throughout the country They said.
This declaration aligns with resolutions of the European Parliament, this condemns the systematic persecution of Iran of the Bahá’í community. The emergency resolution adopted on January 23, 2025 follows a previous resolution in November 2024 which referred to a memorandum 1991 signed by the supreme chief of Iran describing measures to “block progress and development” of Bahá ‘ ís in the country.
The reality of the persecution of women Bahá’ís
According to United Nations experts, Bahá’ís women are the main targets of the state -sanctioned repression, arbitrary arrests, applied disappearances, home raids, confiscation of goods and restrictions on education. The persecution was considerably intensified after national demonstrations launched by the death of Mahsa Jina Amini at the end of 2022. Currently, two thirds of all the Bahá’ís targeted in Iran are women.
The growing hostility towards the Bahá’ís coincides with the wider efforts of Iran to criminalize dissent in women. In recent months, Iranian women have faced more severe penalties to challenge morality laws, some at risk of the death penalty refuse to comply with hijab mandates.
Global calls to responsibility
Rachel Bayani, representative of the Bahá’ie international community for the European institutions in Brussels, praised growing international support.
“The solidarity of these deputies follows a similar initiative just six months ago – depending on whether this concern for Bahá’ís in Iran and Baháonian women increases while the Iranian government increases its persecution of these innocent people,” said Bayani (said the Iranian government.bic.org).
In addition, human rights show has classified the actions of the Iranian government against the Baha the crime against humanity of the persecution in evidence in its report the boot on my neck These discriminatory policies and laws are used to systematically marginalize the community Bahá’íe.
While the international community increases its meticulous examination, the pressure rises on the Iranian authorities to stop their persecution of the Bahá’í minority. However, for women Baha’ies in Iran – who are faced with oppression on several fronts – justice remains elusive.
“The only way to follow is to end the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran – and to respect the rights of all the Iranians of all the history,” added Bayani.
Originally published in The European Times.
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