Education For All

The importance of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights


     Human rights are taken for granted by many individuals. The right to equality before the law, to a fair trial, to religion, and thought are all human rights. Human rights, as it is currently known worldwide, became established in 1948. The United Nations can be given credit for the creation of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This simple document has enabled people to have a chance to gain the opportunities that have never been offered to them. The end to slavery, genocide, or any other kind of oppression upon any person(s) - that is the purpose of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.


For more information:  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (from the United Nations website)

                    In 30 Words - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Amnesty International video)


Denied Education


     Sadly, human rights are not enjoyed by everyone. Below is a video that will explain what is happening right now to the Bahá'ís in Iran.



Education Under Fire Trailer (3 min) from Education Under Fire on Vimeo.

For more informaiton: Education Under Fire

     Justice is important. The Bahá'ís in Iran don't have it. Unfounded defamatory speech against the Bahá'ís in Iran is supported by the Iranian Government. Bahá'ís are barred basic rights of citizenship like higher education. The constitutional protections in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran guarantees to every Iranian citizen rights which the Bahá'ís don't have. Educational programs set up to teach Bahá'í students have been targeted in raids. Arrests and convictions have been made solely on the basis of religion, and about 97 Iranian Bahá'ís are currently in prison today. Over 400 arrests have been made since August 2004, and many Bahá'ís are under unwarranted government surveilance. Bahá'í businesses are being looted among other acts without any government investigations to bring justice, and some businesses are even confiscated. Also, business licenses and jobs are denied to Bahá'ís. All of these facts don't amount to the number of Bahá'ís that lost their lives solely on the basis of belief. More facts about the injustices are being uncovered thanks to the efforts of people who won't stay silent as fellow human beings are persecuted.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees Bahá'ís the human rights that others have taken away from them.

The Bahá'í World News Service: Human Rights in Iran and Egypt has more specific information

The Bahá'í Martyrs is a video that will show what has been happening to the Bahá'ís since the faith's inception. (Viewer discretion is advised.)

Conclusion

We cannot stay silent.

Update on third trial session of Iranian Baha'i leaders | Bahai Faith | Baha'i Faith

Click on the link below to get the latest on the Seven Baha'is Imprisoned in Iran.

Update on third trial session of Iranian Baha'i leaders | Bahai Faith | Baha'i Faith


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Persecution of Baha'is in Iran

Throughout the past century, the Bahai’s of Iran have been continually persecuted for their religious beliefs, and supposed treachery against the Islamic faith. The clergymen of Iran have continuously manifested their hate for the Bahais not only through persecution, but also through verbal abuses, beatings, and occasionally death. The Bahai community in Iran is roughly made up of about 300,000 people, making it the largest the religious minority in that country. Due to the past hatred towards the Bahais from the clergymen and the large amount of them in the country, the Bahais are currently being targeted for the reason of the rebellions in Iran.

            Unfortunately, seven prominent Bahais have been currently taken to prison, in hopes of crushing the spirits of the Bahais in Iran. However, this is not the first display of hostility towards the Bahais in Iran. For example, in June 1983, the Iranian authorities had arrested ten Bahai women and girls. The charge put against them was teaching about the Bahai faith to children every Sunday of the week. These unfortunate women were subjected to intense physical and mental pain, in an attempt to convince them to recant their faith. However, the women and children had withstood the torture and refused to recant their faith, resulting in the execution of these poor souls.

            Currently sixty Bahais are imprisoned in Iran, including the seven inspirational individuals already put in jail. These seven individuals had been waiting patiently for their first court hearing for about two years, and their first court hearing was on January 12, 2010. These seven individuals are Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm. The preceding individuals were in charge of the social and spiritual necessities of the Bahais residing in Iran.

The seven leaders had been accused of propaganda activities against Islam, espionage, cooperation with Israel, sending of secret documents outside the country, establishment of an illegal administration, acting against the security of the country, and the corruption of the earth. All seven defendants had rightfully denied all accusations set against them. The second hearing had come on a later date on February 7, 2010, which had dealt mainly with procedural matters. The third hearing will come on April 10, 2010, which s earlier than had been originally announced.

Contrary to popular belief, the rights of these Bahais have been severely ignored. Unfortunately, most the world is waiting for the troubles of the Bahais to come to an end, much like the Jews during the Holocaust. A numerous amount of people are currently unaware of the situation in Iran, concerned with their own trivial problems. Hopefully, the injustices in Iran will come to a rightful end, and the unfair court trials shall cease immediately.

         Picture Of The Seven Members