Restrictions on religious freedom Freedom of religion in Iran

1 restrictions on religious freedom

1.1 bahá ís
1.2 jews
1.3 mandaeans

restrictions on religious freedom

by law , practice, religious minorities can elected representative body or hold senior government or military positions, , have 5 of total 270 seats in majlis reserved religious minorities. 3 of these seats reserved members of christian faith, including 2 seats country s armenian christians, , 1 assyrians. there 1 seat member of jewish faith, , 1 member of zoroastrian faith. while members of sunni muslim minority not have reserved seats in majlis, allowed serve in body. sunni members tend come larger sunni communities. members of religious minorities allowed vote. of minority religious groups, including sunni muslims, barred being elected president.

members of religious minorities, supported in pursuit of serving in judiciary , security services. applicants public sector employment screened, irrespective of faith, adherence , knowledge of islam, , members of religious minorities can serve in lower ranks of government employment. constitution states country s army must administered individuals committed objectives of iranian constitution, regardless of faith. no religious minorities exempt military service. members of religious minorities college education serve officer during mandatory military service not career military officer.

university applicants required pass examination in islamic theology, limits access of religious minorities higher education, although public school students, including non-muslims, must study shia islam. applicants public sector employment screened knowledge of islam.

the government allows recognized religious minorities conduct religious education of adherents. includes separate , privately funded zoroastrian, jewish, , christian schools not include bahá í schools. ministry of education, imposes curriculum requirements, supervises these schools. few exceptions, directors of such private schools must muslim. attendance @ schools not mandatory recognized religious minorities. textbooks used in course work, including religious texts, must approved use ministry of education. religious texts in non-persian languages require approval authorities use. recognized religious minorities provide religious instruction in non-persian languages, such texts required approval authorities. approval requirement imposed significant translation expenses on minority communities. condition imposed began 1981 , reiterated in fall of 1983 - ministry of education , training ordered religious education must done in persian, text written met must taught in registered religious minority schools, schools must seek special permission ceremonies, , in keeping society-wide restrictions, female teachers , students must observe islamic dress code including hijab when necessary (this last re-inforced in 1985.) of time , occasions, female citizens, including non-muslims, required wear hijab iran islamic republic. there have been other requirements of citizens well. in 1984 government began request religious affiliation on questionnaires passports. events held religious groups broken , if meetings mixed sexed , or women not wearing headscarves, arrests made , meetings canceled. prohibited muslims attend these meetings of minority groups - groups restricted events own religious members attend. there restrictions on music @ events. many of these restrictions moderated in time or applied or affected 1 religion more vs others (see below) , government has taken steps bring attention issues important religion - in 1982 ministry of post , telegraphs printed stamp commemorating birth of jesus.

the textbook met wrote on minority religions called talimat-e maxhadi vizheh-ye aqaliathaye mazhabi - (kalimi, zarthoshti, masihi); religious studies religious minorities: (jews, zoroastrians, christians.) course taught muslim teachers @ least 3 hrs/wk. religious minorities objected text in 1982 claiming book violation of article 13 guaranteeing freedom in religious teaching, there overt , covert passages quran, , lack of qualifications of anonymous author(s) rather members of religious minorities writing own religions. situation has moderated armenians 1995/6. there compromise of sorts allowed both hebrew , persian language use in jewish schools.

recognized religious minorities allowed government establish community centers , cultural, social, sports, or charitable associations finance themselves. not apply bahá í community, since 1983 has been denied right assemble officially or maintain administrative institutions. because bahá í faith has no clergy, denial of right form such institutions , elect officers threatens existence in country.

muslim men free marry non-muslim women; non-muslim woman automatically becomes muslim when marriage takes place. however, marriages between muslim women , non-muslim men not recognized unless man shows proof has converted islam. if child of non-muslim family converts islam, or inherits wealth of family.

the government highly suspicious of proselytizing of muslims non-muslims , can harsh in response, in particular against bahá ís, sunni muslims , evangelical christians.

the government not ensure right of citizens change or renounce religious faith. apostasy, conversion islam, can punishable death.

a summary of 2013 incidents of prison sentences, fines , punishments showed 79 religious minorities sentenced total of 3620 months in prison, 200 months probation, 75 lashings , 41,030,000,000 rials in fines. in area, 49% of cases involved baha minorities, 16% christian , dervish , 14% sunni minority. arrests of religious minorities increased 36% in relation last year.

bahá ís

the bahá í faith originated in iran during 1860s. baha believe prophet messiah era. attracted wide following among shi’a clergy. political , religious authorities of time joined suppress movement, , since hostility of shi’a clergy bahá í faith has remained strong. bahá ís considered apostates shi clergy because of claim valid religious revelation subsequent of mohammed. bahá í faith defined government political sect, historically linked pahlavi regime and, hence, counterrevolutionary, though 1 of tenets of bahá í faith non-involvement in partisan politics.

bahá ís may not teach or practice faith or maintain links coreligionists abroad. fact bahá í world headquarters (established founder of bahá í faith in 19th century, in ottoman-controlled palestine) situated in state of israel, allows iranian government charge bahá ís espionage on behalf of zionism, in particular when caught communicating or sending monetary contributions bahá í headquarters.

broad restrictions on bahá ís appear aimed @ destroying them community. bahá ís repeatedly have been offered relief mistreatment in exchange recanting faith. bahá í cemeteries, holy places, historical sites, administrative centers, , other assets seized shortly after 1979 revolution. none of properties have been returned, , many have been destroyed.

bahá ís not allowed bury , honor dead in keeping religious tradition. permitted access areas of wasteland government designates use, , not allowed mark graves. many historic bahá í gravesites have been desecrated or destroyed. in 2000 in city of abadeh, revolutionary guard officer bulldozed bahá í cemetery 22 graves.

in appeared hopeful development, in 2002 government offered tehran community piece of land use cemetery. however, land in desert, no access water, making impossible perform bahá í mourning rituals. in addition government stipulated no markers put on individual graves , no mortuary facilities built on site, making impossible perform proper burial.

bahá í group meetings , religious education, take place in private homes , offices, curtailed severely. public , private universities continue deny admittance bahá í students, particularly demoralizing blow community traditionally has placed high value on education. denial of access higher education appears aimed @ eventual impoverishment of bahá í community.

bahá ís regularly denied compensation injury or criminal victimization. government authorities claim muslim plaintiffs eligible compensation in these circumstances.

in 1993, unsr reported existence of government policy directive regarding bahá ís. according directive, supreme revolutionary council instructed government agencies block progress , development of bahá í community, expel bahá í students universities, cut bahá í links groups outside country, restrict employment of bahá ís, , deny bahá ís positions of influence, including in education. government claims directive forgery. however, appears accurate reflection of current government practice designed eradicate bahá í community.

in september 2001, ministry of justice issued report reiterated government policy continued aim @ eventual elimination of bahá ís community. stated in part bahá ís permitted enroll in schools if did not identify bahá ís, , bahá ís preferably should enrolled in schools have strong , imposing religious ideology. report stated bahá ís must expelled universities, either in admission process or during course of studies, once becomes known bahá ís.

while in recent years government has eased restrictions, thereby enabling bahá ís obtain food-ration booklets , send children public elementary , secondary schools, prohibition against admission of bahá ís universities remains. thousands of bahá ís dismissed government jobs in 1980s receive no unemployment benefits , have been required repay government salaries or pensions received first day of employment. unable face prison sentences.

iran has taken positive steps in recognizing rights of bahá ís, other religious minorities. in november 1999, president khatami publicly stated no 1 in country should persecuted because of or religious beliefs. added defend civil rights of citizens, regardless of beliefs or religion. subsequently, expediency council approved right of citizenship bill, affirming social , political rights of citizens , equality before law. in february 2000, following approval of bill, head of judiciary issued circular letter registry offices throughout country provided couple registered husband , wife without being required state religious affiliation. measure permits registration of bahá í marriages in country. bahá í marriages not recognized government, leaving bahá í women open charges of prostitution. children of bahá í marriages not recognized legitimate , therefore denied inheritance rights.

according u.s. panel, attacks on bahá ís in iran have increased since mahmoud ahmadinejad became president sunni muslims. on may 14, 2008, members of informal body known friends oversaw needs of bahá í community in iran arrested , taken evin prison. officers ministry of intelligence in tehran searched , raided homes of 6 people in hours of may 14. arrest of 6 follow detention of bahá í leader in march, taken answer questions relating burial of bahá in bahá í cemetery in mashad. have not been charged, , prisoners of conscience. iran human rights documentation center has stated concerned safety of bahá ís, , recent events similar disappearance of 25 bahá í leaders in 1980s. united states commission on international religious freedom has stated fears development signals return darkest days of repression in iran in 1980s when baha routinely arrested, imprisoned, , executed.

jews

while jews recognized religious minority, allegations of official discrimination frequent. government’s anti-israel policies, along perception among radical muslim elements jewish citizens support zionism , state of israel, create threatening atmosphere small jewish community. jewish leaders reportedly reluctant draw attention official mistreatment of community due fear of government reprisal.

persecution , discrimination has increased among government , society since revolution in 1979. on eve of passover 1998, 13 iranian jewish men arrested on charges of espionage. united states , israel both demanded release. iran accused men of spying world arrogance (being u.s.) , zionist regime (being israel). conviction highly doubted rest of world.

mandaeans

according u.n. high commission refugees background paper on iran, mandaeans regarded christians, , included among country’s 3 recognized religious minorities. however, mandaeans regard not christians, adherents of religion predates christianity in both belief , practice. mandaeans enjoyed official support distinct religion prior revolution, legal status religion since has been subject of debate in majles , never has been clarified.