Bahá’í World/Volume 18/The Bahá’í Faith and the United Nations
 | The text below this notice was generated by a computer, it still needs to be checked for errors and corrected. If you would like to help, view the original document by clicking the PDF scans along the right side of the page. Click the edit button at the top of this page (notepad and pencil icon) or press Alt+Shift+E to begin making changes. When you are done press "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. |
THE BAHA’t FAITH AND THE UNITED NATIONS
1. SUMMARY OF THE YEARS 1947—19791
THE relationship of the world Bahá’í community t0 the United Nations began in 1948, when the eight National Spiritual Assemblies then existing were recognized collectively by the U.N. Office of Public Information (OPI) as an international non-governmental organization under the name ‘Bahe’l‘l’ International Community.’ An official Bahá’í—UN. relationship had actually started a year before—in the spring of 1947—when OPI accredited the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada as a national non-governmental organization, qualified to be represented through an observer.
The next step in Bahá’í—UN. cooperation —and a major one—took place in 1970, when the Bahá’í International Community was granted consultative status, category 11, with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). A few years later, in 1974, as an extension of this relationship in the economic and social fields, the Bahá’í International Community established an association with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Then, in 1976—another important development—it was welcomed into consultative status with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The First Period: 1947—1970
Although limited to activities educating the public about the aims and programs of the United Nations, the first stage of Bahá’í—UN. cooperation allowed many opportunities for sharing the Bahá’í perspective, both through participation in numerous non-governmental conferences, and through the presentation to the U.N. of several important statements.
One of the most important contributions took place in 1947, when the United Nations
‘ For detailed information on Bahá’í International Community activities with the U.N. during this period, see earlier volumes of The Bahá’í World.
Special Palestine Committee addressed a letter to His Eminence Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, head of the Bahá’í Faith, resident at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa, requesting an expression of the Bahá’í attitude to the future of Palestine. Explaining that ‘Our aim is the establishment of universal peace in the world and our desire to see justice prevail in every domain of human society, including the domain of politics,” Shoghi Effendi enclosed with his reply a summary of the history and teachings of the Bahá’í Faith.
Other presentations of note were: A ‘Bahá’í Declaration on Human Obligations and Rights’ (1947); a study entitled ‘Proposals for Charter Revision,’ circulated at a U.N. Conference for Revision of the U.N. Charter (1955); a statement endorsing the Genocide Convention, presented to the President of the Commission on Human Rights (1959); and a comprehensive statement to a meeting of the United Nations Office of Public Information to discuss problems of cooperation ‘with the United Nations family insofar as its programme affects the new nations’, noting the ‘vigorous assistance of Bahá’í communities’ through the implementation of Bahá’í teachings and principles, to help the less developed peoples become integrated into the more developed society surrounding them (1960).
The Bahá’í International Community was also able, even in the early years of its relationship with the U.N., to assist in the protection and recognition of the Bahá’í world community. Such were the cases of Bahá’í persecutions in iran and Morocco, in 1955 and 1962, respectively, when appeals were lodged with the United Nations, and in 1967, the presentation, on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, of a special edition of the Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh t0 fifty-six Heads of States, through the good offices of their Permanent Representatives to the United Nations.
393
[Page 394]
394
The Second Period: 1970—1979
These years witnessed a noticeable increase in the range and depth of Bahá’í—UN. cooperation, as the Bahá’í International Community began the steady growth of its consultative relationship with ECOSOC and with UNICEF, and its association with UNEP; while continuing its close cooperation with the UN. Office of Public Information (0P1)which became the Department of Public Information (DPI) on 1 January 1979.
As it worked closely with ECOSOC, its functional commissions, committees and associated bodies, the Bahá’í International Community gradually explored new avenues of participation in United Nations social and economic programs. Not only was it represented at sessions of UN. bodies concerned with issues of human rights, social development, status of women, environment, human settlements, world food, science and technology, population, law of the sea, crime prevention, narcotic drugs, children, youth, the family, the United Nations University, and disarmament, but it also furnished information, submitted statements and published brochures on most of these subjects. In addition the Bahá’í International Community participated in United Nations Years, in world conferences and congresses, in regional conferences and in seminars concerned with the socio-economic problems of our planet, as well as in preparation and follow—up meetings and activities.
When the Committee on Non-Govemmental Organizations, the functional committee of ECOSOC in charge of fostering the UN. relationship with NGO’s in the social and economic field, reviewed at its 1978 session the work of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with ECOSOC during the years 1973—1977, the Bahá’í International
Community report, showing an impressive roster of activities recording warm cooperation with the UN, was approved without questions.
Most gratifying during this period was the increased awareness and participation of national Bahá’í communities through their National Spiritual Assemblies, U.N. representatives and committees, in fostering the ties of the Bahá’í world with the United Nations. They not only organized national and local
'I‘HE BAH ”1’ WORLD
Bahá’í—UN. activities, but also provided knowledgeable Bahá’ís to help both in preparing statements and pamphlets examining the application of Bahá’í teachings and principles to the solution of specific world issues, and in representing the Bahá’í International Community at conferences. In addition, the involvement of National Spiritual Assemblies in countries where U.N. conferences or meetings took place, through furnishing valuable services to ensure a more effective Bahá’í participation, created an awareness of how each Bahá’í community did, in fact, share in the Bahá’í International Community’s consultative relationship with ECOSOC and UNICEF.
The Bahá’í International Community also worked closely, through its U.N. representa tives, with UN. offices and officials at UN.
headquarters in New York, as well as in Geneva and Nairobi; and, through representatives from its member Bahá’í communities, with UN. field offices around the world.
In addition, under the direction and guidance of the Universal House of Justice, contacts were made on many occasions during this period with the United Nations Missions and Secretariat. Here again a growing understanding of the non-political and constructive nature of the Bahá’í International Community in the work of the U.N., aided by its consultative status, made access to key United Nations officials easier when a clear presentation of the Bahá’í position was needed to foster the official recognition of the Faith, or to prevent discrimination against the Bahá’í community.
During these years it became clear that, as government delegates and United Nations personnel increasingly witnessed the Bahá’í presence, through extensive Bahá’í representation and a variety of Bahá’í statements (almost always circulated as UN. documents), they were becoming aware of the existence not only of a worldwide Bahá’í community, but also of a Bahá’í view resting on a new spiritual and moral foundation essential for an effective and permanent solution to world problems and the building of a world civiliza tion.
[Page 395]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA‘I’ ACTIVITIES 395
Bahá’í International Community representatives attending the United Nations Commission on
Human Rights held in Geneva; 31 January 1983. Seen on the far left, wearing headphones, is
Mr. Giovanni Ballerio Of the European Branch Ofthe Bahá’ílntemational Community and, next to him, Mr. Gerald Knight, Alternate Representative, of the New York Ofl‘ice.
M —ngg(rr
United Nations Day observance held at the Bahá’í Centre of Mauritius; 23 October 1980. The Chairman of the City of Quatre-Bomes addressed an audience of approximately one hundred guests.
[Page 396]
396
THE BAHA’I’ WORLD
2. THE BAHA’T INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED NATIONS
1979 1983
VICTOR DE ARAUJO
THE period 1979—1983 witnessed considerable growth of Bahá’í International Community activities with the United Nations. Besides expanding its cooperation with the UN. in the many areas of earlier involvement related to programs implementing the goals of the UN. Charter—peace, human rights, and developmentl—the Bahá’í International Community was able to offer the Bahá’í perspective and cooperation in new areas of UN. concern—disabled persons, the aging, new and renewable sources of energy—as well as to begin its contribution to an issue long considered important by the U.N.—the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space; The responsibilities of the Bahá’í International Community for the protection of the Faith, prominent on a few occasions in the past, were greatly expanded during this period to allow, under instructions from the Universal House of Justice, for the coordination of worldwide activities, at international and national levels, on behalf of the beleaguered Bahá’í friends in train?
In 1981 the Bahá’í International Community was asked to submit a report of its activities in fulfillment of its consultative relationship with the Economic and Social Council, covering the years 1977 to 1981, for examination by the UN. Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations at its 1982 session. This second quadrennial report prepared by the Bahá’í International Community, since receiving consultative status with ECOSOC in 1970, again showed extensive cooperation and, like the previous one (1973—1977), received full approval.
The Bahá’í International Community office in New York increased gradually both its space and personnel, and by Riḍván of 1983
' See Summary of Bahá’í International Community activi-.
ties for 1947—1979. Also, for full details, see The Bahá’í World, vol. XVII, p. 229.
2 A full report on the activities of the Bahá’í International Community in assisting the friends in lran can be found on p. 337.
the office comprised some 2,000 square feet with a staff of nine full—time persons, and several volunteers. This expansion was in part the result of the escalation of the persecutions in iran, and led soon to a logical concentration of all Bahá’í International Community human rights activities in one specific section, headed by Mr. Gerald Knight, who had joined the Bahá’í International Community office in New York in 1979 as Alternate Representative. Mr. Knight, then serving as Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Fiji Islands, replaced Dr. Will. C. van den Hoonaard, who resigned to pursue a career in university teaching. Dr. van den Hoonaard had served as Alternate Representative with much enthusiasm and dedication since 1975.
In 1981 the range of Bahá’í International Community operations in Geneva was expanded through the establishment of a European Branch Office to assist in the Bahá’í activities with the UN. in Geneva and Vienna, as well as to establish a closer relationship with European national Bahá’í communities and with some regional bodies such as the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy, was appointed to head this office and represent the Bahá’í International Community with the UN. in Geneva. Dr. Marco Kappenberger who had served in that capacity since 1972, but whose present professional responsibilities prevented him from devoting the time and energy which he had so generously given in the past, continued to assist as Alternate Representative until the end of 1981, along with Mme. Machid Fatio, then Alternate Representative. Mme. Fatio is now working full~time as Alternate Representative for the European Branch Office and the UN. in Geneva.
When in September 1979 the United Nations moved its Centre for Social and Humanitarian Affairs to Vienna, it became necessary for the
[Page 397]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I, ACTIVITIES
Bahá’í International Community to appoint representatives to the Vienna International Centre (VIC)—the new UN. branch headquarters—since important areas of social and humanitarian activity, such as the advancement of women, crime prevention, curbing of drug abuse, as well as issues related to the aging, youth, disabled persons, were now centered in Vienna. Accordingly, Mr. Gerhard Schweter and Mr. Kent Beveridge, members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Austria, were appointed Bahá’í International Community representatives, and served most ably and enthusiastically in that capacity from early 1980 to early 1982, when both had to resign because of demanding professional and elected Bahá’í responsibilities. Since then, Mr. Roland Philipp and Mrs. Otti Kafer have been responsible, as Representative and Alternate respectively, for the Bahá’í International Community participation in activities taking place at the Vienna International Centre.
Rich opportunities for the Bahá’í International Community to contribute towards the constructive work of the United Nations in building a world in which justice and peace will prevail continued to surface during this period, in almost all areas of human needs and concerns, and the Bahá’í cooperation was increasingly welcomed by the United Nations.
NEW AREAS OF COOPERA TION
Aging
As it began considering issues affecting the well-being of the ‘aging’—persons over sixty years old—the United Nations decided to convene, in 1982, a World Assembly on the Aging, to explore the problem fully, and created an Advisory Committee to plan for the conference and to draft a Plan of Action for approval and implementation by all governments. The Bahá’í International Community showed warm interest in the issue by taking part in these preparatory U.N. activities, and later in the World Assembly itself.
The Bahá’í International Community also joined in the efforts of the NGO Committee on the Aging to encourage the contribution of non-governmental organizations to the World Assembly deliberations, and served during 1981 and 1982 on the Committee’s Executive Board. In addition, it sent representatives to a
397
NGO Forum on Aging, which met in Vienna a few months before the Assembly, to exchange the views and knowledge of NGO’s, so that these might be channeled through a comprehensive report to the World Assembly. Two Bahá’í recommendations, offered to the organizers of the Forum when the agenda of the meeting was being planned, were repeated during the Forum: (1) that there 'must be full integration of the aging in the human community, since the community should be an extended family in which everyone, of any age, is an essential part, and not only allowed, but encouraged, to make the fullest possible contribution to the well-being of the whole; and (2) that in considering the needs of the aging in the process of development we must take into account the wholeness of the human being—moral and spiritual dimension, besides his emotional, intellectual, and physical nature —when discussing the special contributions of older persons to development and their sharing in the resulting benefits.
At the World Assembly, an oral statement by the Bahá’í International Community representative also stressed the Bahá’í view. It expressed the hope that the Assembly would in its concern for the aging ‘create a momentum for a better understanding of the reality of the human being in its various aspects.’ The Bahá’í perspective was conveyed even more fully in one of the parallel NGO meetings addressed specifically to the ‘Spiritual Needs of the Aging.’
Disabled Persons
In its growing concern with the plight of persons suffering from a wide range of disabilities, the United Nations proclaimed 1981, International Year of Disabled Persons. The Bahá’í International Community expressed its cooperation through participation in a UN. Advisory Committee whose main task was to prepare a program of action to improve the conditions of the disabled, for implementation by world governments with the assistance of non-governmental institutions and organizations. A number of Bahá’í communities around the world also undertook programs for the disabled during IYDP. At present, a Decade of Disabled Persons (19831992), proclaimed by the UN. General Assembly, provides the Bahá’í International
[Page 398]
398
Community and its member communities world-wide with further opportunities for cooperation.
The Bahá’í International Community also contributed during this period to the drafting of a brochure on ‘The Disabled Child,’ published by the NGO Committee on UNICEF, outlining UNICEF’s approach to disability and the role that NGO’s could play in preventing and treating disabilities in children. It also worked closely with other NGO’s in a UNICEF/NGO Committee on the Disabled Child, which co-sponsored a symposium on ‘Childhood Disabilities: Inevitable or Preventable,’ as a contribution to IYDP.
Energy—New and Renewable Sources
In August 1981 the United Nations called a Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy, in Nairobi, Kenya, to identify broad guidelines for short and long—term solutions to the divers needs and problems of energy and to develop an appropriate plan of action. This UN. Conference had been preceded in March of that year by a conference of non-governmental organizations—‘Energy 2000’—held in Tunis, Tunisia. The Bahá’í International Community participated in both Conferences.
In Nairobi, the Bahá’í International Community delegation took part both in the Conference and in a parallel NGO Forum. A brief statement circulated to the Conference, remarked that ‘the integration of life on the planet requires unified action on a scale we have not yet achieved,’ since until ‘there is unity at the most fundamental level—that of human values—social problems, simple or complex, will remain unresolved.’ The statement further stressed that ‘the world-wide nature of the problem in energy and in similar environmental issues requires a universal spiritual solution,” and concluded by observing that we must be cognizant ‘of the tremendous power of spiritual energy which will be released when the oneness of mankind is realized and the limitless potential that will be available to us for effecting lasting change for the betterment of all mankind.’ This is a goal for which Bahá’ís are striving and towards which humanity itself is moving.
Participation by the Bahá’í International Community delegation in the Conference and
THE BAHA‘I’ WORLD
in the parallel NGO Forum also included assistance in preparing a Kenya NGO exhibit and giving interviews on behalf of the Kenya NGO'group; keynoting a panel for the NGO Forum on education, training and awareness in relation to energy issues, as well as participation in other NGO workshops; newspaper, radio and TV interviews featuring the Bahá’í International Community participation in the Conference; and wide distribution of the brochure, ‘The Environment and Human Values—A Bahá’í View.’
The following year the Bahá’í International Community was represented at a meeting of an Interim Committee on New and Renewable Sources of Energy, in Rome, called to launch the implementation of the Programme of Action, approved at the Nairobi Conference, for the development and utilization of new and renewable sources of energy. In 1983, the Bahá’í International Community continued its involvement in this issue, by attending the first session of the Intergovernmental Committee on New and Renewable Sources of Energy, meeting in New York; and it will continue to seek opportunities for cooperation on this issue.
Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
For many years the United Nations has been aware of the potential of outer space exploration in the social and economic development of the planet, but has been concerned at the same time with the grave danger of the use of outer space by technologically advanced nations for military purposes. To discuss these issues at the highest level the UN. held the UNISPA‘CE ’82 Conference in Vienna, in August of 1982. In participating for the first time in discussions on this subject, the Bahá’í International Community submitted to the Conference 3 written statement, officially circulated, and further called attention to its views in an oral presentation. The key point made in those statements was that, if we are to prepare ourselves to utilize the promising new technology that has permitted travel and exploration in outer space, we must recognize the truth stated by Bahá’u’lláh more than a century ago that ‘the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens,’ and must work together ‘to foster and promote world mindedness like never before in the planet’s history.’
[Page 399]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I’ ACTIVITIES
Ultimately, the unity of the human race, the statement concluded, quoting from the Bahá’í Writings, implied ‘the establishment of a world commonwealth,’ a stage of international development requiring ‘no less than the reconstruction and demilitarization of the whole civilized world—a world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life.‘
CONTINUING AREAS OF C0OPERATION
Children—(UNICEF)
The International Year of the Child (IYC) was enthusiastically supported by the Bahá’í International Community—ninety—four national communities participated—as evidenced by a widely distributed report on Bahá’í activities around the world. This report included information on a series of Bahá’í ongoing programs in child education, teacher training, preparation of child education materials, publications for and concerning Children, and women‘s activities; besides describing the specific Bahá’í promotion of IYC through organizing and planning programs, publicity campaigns, exhibitions and displays, parades and festivals, radio, television and press publicity, and public events. There was much publicity also through Bahá’í media. In contrast to those activities generally aimed at and involving the adult public, many programs were specifically child directed: children‘s festivals, parties. entertainment; children‘s conferences; and children’s art and music.
This IYC report—included in a special IYC edition of Bahá’í News (U.S.A.), July 1980was sent to Mrs. Estefania Aldaba Lim, UN. Special Representative, Assistant Secretary General for IYC, and shared with a number of UN. and UNICEF officials and'personnel. In a letter of thanks, Mrs. Lim wrote that reading this issue of Bahá’í News cover to cover had given her ‘such a great feeling of comfort, elation and towering sense of pride’ in the achievements of the Bahá’í International Community during IYC. She continued: ‘I cannot express my feelings of gratitude in more adequate ways to your organization for the all-out cooperation and support which you as an NGO extended to our IYC Secretariat and above all to the children of the world for the promotion of their welfare and develop 399
ment.’ Mrs. Lim concluded her letter by saying: ‘I pray and hope that the Year 1979 (IYC) was just a beginning of Bahá’ís’ deep commitment for the child’s causes and that your widespread advocacy will now begin to bear fruit on behalf of the child.’
The Bahá’í International Community continued to take part in the annual sessions of the UNICEF Executive Board—in 1979 in Mexico City, preceded by a special meeting on the situation and development of children in Latin America and the Caribbean; and in 1980, 1981 and 1982 in New York. The Spanish and English versions of the May 1979 NGO/UNICEF Newsletter, containing a report on the efforts of Bahá’í communities in Latin America and the Caribbean to increase awareness of UNICEF programs in those areas, were circulated at the Mexico City meetings.
During this entire period the Bahá’í International Community was represented on the Steering Committee of the Non—Governmental Organizations Committee on UNICEF. Mrs. Mary Sawicki served as Secretary from 1979 to 1981; later Dr. Victor de Araujo was elected Chairman of the NGO Committee on UNICEF, and has been serving in that capacity since October 1981. Mrs. Sawicki served also for several years as Assistant Editor of the NGO/UNICEF Newsletter, and Dr. de Araujo is presently on the Editorial Board of the NGO Forum, the official NGO publication that has succeeded the Newsletter. Their contribution has been welcomed by NGO’s and the UNICEF Secretariat, and has further strengthened the Bahá’í International Community relationship with UNICEF.
In addition, besides serving during IYC on the IYC/NGO Committee, and participating in numerous committees and special meetings in observance of that Year, the Bahá’í International Community took part in activities concerning the disabled child, breast feeding and infant feeding—Bahá’í representatives helped to organize and chair the 1981 NGO/ UNICEF symposia on ‘The Disabled Child’ and on ‘Breast Feeding’—as well as NGO/ UNICEF field level relations, and assistance to children in emergency situations.
As UNICEF became increasingly aware of the extent of Bahá’í activities on behalf of
[Page 400]
400
children and women—such as the work of Dr. Jane Faily, Bahá’í International Community IYC consultant for Africa, in West Africa (reported in the NGO/UNICEF Newsletter), as well as the operations of the Bahá’í schools in India and the radio stations in Ecuador and Peru—it became clear that there would be opportunities, in the near future, for field level cooperation with UNICEF.
Crime Prevention
During this period, the Bahá’í International Community took part in the Sixth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held in 1980 in Caracas, Venezuela. A Bahá’í statement bearing on the issue of ‘Crime Trends and Crime Prevention Strategies,’ circulated as 21 Congress document, offered the view that ‘both the causes of crime and the means of its prevention are inextricably linked to the question of personal moral values’; and that although punishment for crime is one of the means ‘by which society can and must, if necessary protect itself against oppressors, it is nevertheless possible to educate human beings so effectively in moral virtues that “crime itself will appear to them as the greatest chastisement, the utmost condemnation and torment”.’ The statement further quoted'from the Bahá’í Writings that religion is a ‘mighty bulwark’ preventing ‘both the manifest and the concealed crime . . . and is the all-inclusive power which guarantees the felicity Of the world of mankind.’
The Bahá’í International Community also continued to cooperate with the Branch on Crime prevention and Criminal Justice, in the U.N. Centre for Social and Humanitarian Affairs, in Vienna, and to attend the biennial sessions of the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control. At the 1982 session of the Committee, the Bahá’í International Community representative made a statement on ‘Summary or Arbitrary Executions,’ providing documentation from the recent Bahá’í experience in lrén—without identifying the country—as an objective contribution to the discussion on the issue.
Development—Social and Economic Besides continuing its participation in the two main yearly sessions of the Economic and
THE BAHA’I’ WORLD
Social Council, in New York and Geneva respectively, as well as in the biennial sessions of the Commission for Social Development, the Bahá’í International Community found several other opportunities during this period to indicate its deep interest in promoting the social and economic development of all peoples, by attending the 1981 United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, in Paris, as well as by participating in meetings of the High-Level Committee on the Review of Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries held in Geneva and New York. It also followed closely the 11th Special Session of the General Assembly on the New International Economic Order, and participated in the NGO Forum, ‘Agenda for the Eighties.’
The Bahá’í International Community also frequently took part in discussions of U.N. bodies seeking avenues of closer cooperation with nongovernmental organizations, in rural and urban development programs—such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)—for the time when the growth of Bahá’í communities would make it possible to begin field projects in cooperation with the United Nations.
Disarmament
In addressing the U.N. General Assembly, as a non-governmental organization invited to make a contribution to the deliberations of the 1982 Second Special Session on Disarmament (SSDZ), the Bahá’í International Community took a further step in its cooperation with the U.N. in the work of that world organization to achieve general and complete disarmament. In observing that the ‘inability of human power alone to solve the affairs of humanity,” had been amply demonstrated by
the history of this century, and that a ‘re awakened realization of our connection with God’ had become, therefore, essential, the statement offered two main recommendations: (1) establishment of a program of education for all peoples in the vital principle and truth of the organic oneness of humanity, drawing on all knowledge, whether from science or religion; and (2) achievement of collective security, based on trust and justice, through the efforts of governments and peoples—a
[Page 401]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA‘I’ ACTIVl'I‘IES
security that would provide for lasting world peace, ‘and make obsolete once and for all the arms arsenals and the reasoning behind them.”
The Bahá’í International Community also circulated during SSD2 a cover~updated version of ‘The Promise of Disarmament and Peace,’ a statement prepared for the 1978 General Assembly session on Disarmament. This brochure was mailed with the oral statement later that year, during Disarmament Week—a yearly event beginning on UN. Day, 24 October—to U.N. delegations and to important members of the UN. Secretariat. Copies were also sent to Bahá’í communities around the world, with a letter encouraging Bahá’í participation in Disarmament Week and in a World Disarmament Campaign launched by the United Nations.
Both before and after SSD2, the Bahá’í International Community continued its cooperation with the UN. Department for Disarmament Affairs, as well as its participation in the work of the NGO Committees on Disarmament in New York and Geneva, and in NGO conferences and meetings organized by those Committees.
Environment
The cooperation of the Bahá’í International Community with the United Nations in the area of the environment, dating from the 1972 World Conference on the Human Environment, in Stockholm, Sweden, continued steadily during this period through attendance at the yearly sessions of the Governing Council of the UN. Environment Programme (UNEP), in Nairobi, and through membership and participation in the activities of the Environment Liaison Centre, a non-governmental group concerned with environmental issues. The Bahá’í International Community also took part in the Special Session of UNEP commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Stockholm Conference.
Further, Bahá’í communities expressed their concern for a better quality of life on this planet through activities in observance of World Environment Day, 5 June. In Kenya, for instance, educational programs and special projects for the occasion, to assist UNEP and government programs in the environment field, such as in tree-planting, water and sanitation, and soil erosion, involving village
401
chiefs, school principals, and other local officials and prominent persons, were most successful.
Food
The Bahá’í International Community continued to follow with much interest United Nations efforts to resolve the serious world food problem. In this regard it worked closely with the NGO Working Group on Food and Rural Development, most recently in the preparations being made for participation of non-governmental organizations in the Ninth Annual Ministerial Session of the World Food Council, to take place in New York, in June 1983, and in the parallel NGO Food Policy Forum planned for that occasion.
Health
The Bahá’í International Community pursued its concern for primary health care by keeping in touch with the offices of UNICEF and WHO in New York, and, towards the end of this period, foresaw rich opportunities for cooperation when UNICEF launched a fourpronged children’s health revolution—oral rehydration therapy, immunization, breast feeding and proper weaning, and home growth charts—intended to speed up the goal of ‘Health for All by the Year 2000,’ set up by the WHO/UNICEF Alma Ata Conference in 1978. It also expressed its interest in the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1981—1990), a decade to achieve clean water and sanitation for all by the year 1990, and sought ways to gradually inform Bahá’í communities about this area of UN. activity, for possible cooperation.
In the field of mental health, the Bahá’í International Community was most capably represented at the 1979 and 1981 World Congresses on Mental Health, held respectively in Salzburg, Austria and Manila, Philippines, prestigious meetings sponsored by a non-governmental organization, the World Federation for Mental Health The Salzburg Congress, especially, offered an excellent opportunity to disseminate the Bahá’í point of view, when almost 600 copies of ‘The Violence Free Society: A Gift for Our Children,’ a monograph published by the Association for Bahá’í Studies (ABS), were distributed to participating professionals.
[Page 402]
402
The work of WHO and UNICEF in the field of health was also brought to the attention of Bahá’í health professionals at the 1980 Conference on ‘Health and Healing,’ sponsored by the Association for Bahá’í Studies in Ottawa, Canada, when the Bahá’í International Community representative delivered a paper entitled ‘Health: A Global Perspective.’ After the Ottawa Conference led to the establishment in 1982 of a Bahá’í International Health Agency,' the Bahá’í International Community sought to develop a Close relationship with that institution. with the aim of broadening and deepening Bahá’í participation in UN. health programs and activities.
Human Rights
Besides its extensive role in seeking assistance from the United Nations to redress the flagrant violation of human rights experienced by the Bahá’í community in lran—a human rights activity documented fully in another section of the present edition of Ba/Jd'z’ Worldz—the Bahá’í International Community widened the scope of its cooperation in implementing the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as elaborated and codified in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic. Social. and Cultural Rights. Not only did it continue its long-time assistance to UN. efforts in combatting racism and racial discrimination. but contributed the Bahá’í views on the drafting of a Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (and after the adoption of this Declaration in 1981, on implementing the principles of the Declaration); on the drafting of 21 Convention on the Rights of the Child; on the elaboration of a Declaration on the Right to Development: and on the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous populations. A number of written and oral statements submitted to the Commission on Human Rights and the SubCommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, at their yearly sessions, as well as information provided to the Division of Human Rights—now Centre
" See p 201. ‘ Sec p.414.
'l'Hlf, BAHA‘I’ WORLD
for Human Rights—in reply to requests for Bahá’í views and assistance, conveyed the Bahá’í principles and teachings, and offered specific suggestions for action in those human rights areas.
For the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Bahá’í International Community was able to offer the text of two articles, one on the role of the mass media in disseminating information of benefit to the health and welfare and the social and cultural development of the Child. and the other on the appropriate guidance, training and education to which the child should be entitled for his social. spiritual. and moral development and well—being. These proposals were submitted to the January 1983 session of the Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights Charged with the drafting process. In addition a statement was circulated to the 1983 session of the Commission on Human Rights stressing the importance of the acquisition and exercise of spiritual qualities. which ‘must be taught, fostered and developed.” and will best take root “if they are taught from earliest Childhood.” It was essential in the Bahá’í view, that every child receive spiritual education, and that the Convention contain provisions specifically designed to promote this purpose. Such provisions would not only enable the child to realize his full human potential but would also ‘make a contribution of vital significance to the advancement of humanity as a whole towards its goal of universal justice, peace and order.‘
To the 1980 session of the Commission on
Human Rights. deliberating on a ‘Declaration
on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion
or Belief.” The Bahá’í International Community presented a written statement containing numerous observations on the true
freedom of religion and belief. pertinent to
the drafting of this human rights instrument;
and, in addition. made available to all participants a detailed explanation of the Bahá’í
views, along with a draft Declaration incorporating the changes suggested; Following the
welcome adoption of this important Declaration by the UN. General Assembly at its 1981
session, the Bahá’í International Community
made two oral statements to the Commission
on Human Rights, early in 1983, elaborat
[Page 403]
IN'I‘ERNA'I‘IONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHAll’ ACTIVITIES
ing its views. It pointed to education as the essential factor in eradicating prejudice and in securing implementation of the Declaration, and outlined the Bahá’í view on the role of religion, the essential oneness and unity of all religion, and the position of Bahá’u’lláh as the Divine Educator for our age. The statement concluded by welcoming the proposals, later approved by the Commission, for a comprehensive and thorough study on the current dimensions of the problems of intolerance and of discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, using as terms of reference the Declaration, and for holding a seminar, some time during 19841985, to encourage understanding, tolerance and respect ‘in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief.’
Having followed with great interest the'evolution within the United Nations system of the concept of the right to development,l and the elaboration of a Declaration on this right, the Bahá’í International Community presented a number of pertinent observations on the subject at the 1983 session of the Commission on Human Rights. It suggested that the right to development was unique in its universalitythe universality of participation—since it could be ‘achieved only through global efforts, and only through the involvement of all sectors of human society’; and that in acknowledging the rights to which all men and women are entitled, and theobligations which they owe to their fellow human beings throughout the world, a significant step was taking place in the advancement of humanity towards true world unity. Further, because of the organic oneness of the human race the development of the individual could not be seen in isolation, but had to be seen as ‘an essential prerequisite for the harmonious development of the society of which he is a part.’
The Bahá’í International Community was also able to express during these years its concern for the rights of indigenous peoples. In comments made to the 1983 session of the Commission on Human Rights, for instance. on the activities of the Working Group on ' A statement on ‘Thc Right to Development: Exploring
its Social and Cultural Dimensions‘ had. for instance. been submitted to 3 N00 Forum—‘Agenda for. the Eighties’—hc|d during the 1980 Special Session of the
General Assembly on the New International Economic Order.
403
Indigenous Populations, it pointed out that over 1,900 tribes and ethnic groups were represented in the Bahá’í world community, an evidence of the basic Bahá’í teaching of the oneness of mankind. Earlier, observations regarding the Bahá’í view of the importance of indigenous populations had been offered in a statement delivered at the 1981 UN. Seminar on Protection Available to Victims of Racial Discrimination, in Managua, Nicaragua. The participation of indigenous populations in the mainstream of Bahá’í world-wide activity, the Bahá’í International Community representative explained, had provided an understanding of the ‘value of these people who are so often looked down upon from a material standpoint, but are in reality to be appreciated in their possession of certain spiritual, human qualities that are evident to those who have had time to live with them during years of close association. These spiritual qualities of compassion, justice and harmony with nature are precisely what the world needs.’
In continuing its cooperation with the United Nations, in programs and activities for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1974—1983), the Bahá’í International Community kept the UN. informed of the efforts of Bahá’í communities around the world to achieve racial unity and harmony and work towards the elimination of all forms of racial prejudice, by reporting from time to time on Bahá’í activities in the field of education, on active participation and cooperation with United Nations programs and activities, and on implementation of the principles of racial equality and unity in the day to day social life of Bahá’í communities in every part of the world.
In 1981, the Bahá’í International Community was asked, to provide the SubCommission on Prevention of Discrimination
and Protection of Minorities with information
on measures taken to eliminate racism and
racial discrimination in public and private
employment, and with respect to voting and
election to public office. This request allowed
an opportunity to explain the Bahá’í view on
minorities—that it is a violation of the spirit of
the Bahá’í Faith to ‘discriminate against any
race, on the ground of its being socially
backward, politically immature, and numerically in a minority,’ and that ‘if any discrimina
[Page 404]
404
tion is at all to be tolerated, it should be a discrimination not against, but rather in favor of the minority, be it racial or otherwise.’ This principle, the reply pointed out, guided Bahá’í employment practices and the process of Bahá’í elections, and influenced the actions of Bahá’ís beyond the confines of the Bahá’í community.
In a statement to the 1982 session of the Commission on Human Rights, the Bahá’í International Community pointed out that the solution to eradicating racism and racial discrimination ‘lies in the recognition of the fact that we are all members of one human family and that we are all the citizens of one country, this planet earth, which is home to us all.’ In 1983, on the same subject, it reiterated to the Commission this point, stressing that ‘all beings are created equal in the sight of God, and all should have equal opportunity to develop their potentialities in the service of mankind”; and further suggested that the Second World Conference on Racism and Racial Discrimination, in 1983, might wish to take the important step of adopting an ‘indepth educational programme of all peoples in the vital principle of the organic oneness of humanity.’ (This proposal had been made earlier in an oral statement to the 1981 ‘Seminar on the Relationship that Must Exist Between Human Rights, Development and Peace.’)
At a regional level, besides the Managua Conference mentioned earlier, the Bahá’í International Community participated in a "Seminar on Protection to Victims of Racial Discrimination Specifically in the Areas of Asia and the Pacific,’ held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1982. Again, both in an oral and a written statement, the Bahá’í representative explained, in considerable detai1,-the Bahá’í concern for human rights and the Bahá’í community’s long-time action in abolishing racial discrimination and racism; and outlined the achievements within the Bahá’í world community, as well as worldwide Bahá’í participation in UN. activities.
During these years the Bahá’í International Community also worked closely with other non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights, both in New York and in Geneva. As an evidence of awareness of the Bahá’í concern for human rights issues, Mr.
THE BAHA’I’ WORLD
Gerald Knight was elected in 1982 to serve as Chairman of the NGO Committee on Human Rights at UN. headquarters in New York. This responsibility, an expression of service to the NGO community, further contributed to the recognition of the Bahá’í International Community as a non-governmental organization deeply committed to the establishment of universal human rights.
Human Settlements
The Bahá’í interest and involvement in the UN. issue of human settlements/habitat, dating from Bahá’í International Community participation in the 1976 Vancouver Conference on Human Settlements, continued during the period 1979—1983 through attendance at the yearly sessions of the UN. Commission on Human Settlements and through close contact with the UN. Habitat Centre in Nairobi. In 1980 and 1981, when the Commission sessions were not held, as usual, in Nairobi, the Bahá’í communities of Mexico and the Philippines helped in providing representation at the Commission sessions held respectively in Mexico City and Manila. The Bahá’í International Community continued to bring to the attention of the Commission, at these meetings, the importance of satisfying both the physical and spiritual needs of human beings in urban and rural areas, if settlements are to allow for the full expression of the potentialities of people.
Law of the Sea
A Bahá’í International Community delegation witnessed the successful conclusion of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, when, after ten years of negotiations, a Convention was signed by 119 UN. member states in Kingston, Jamaica, December 1982. The Bahá’í presence at numerous sessions of the Conference during those years showed clearly our appreciation for the importance of this milestone in establishing international rule over the sea-bed and the ocean floor—a considerable portion of the planet, and a vast resource for the well—being of humanity.
Narcotic Drugs The Bahá’í International Community continued its cooperation with UN. efforts to
[Page 405]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I’ ACTIVITIES
combat drug abuse, working closely with the Division of Narcotic Drugs, and participating in the yearly sessions of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. A report to the 1980 session of that Commission, regarding the activities of Bahá’í communities in combatting drug abuse, circulated in an official document, expressed the Bahá’í view that although national and international programs of education and medical care are of prime importance, ‘essentially what is required is a spiritual impetus’; and further, that if each individual develops a consciousness ‘of his innate nobility, he becomes endowed with a strength and high ideals which make him uninterested in the use of toxic and addictive substances which inflict heavy injury on his health and that of his society.’
In 1982, at the request of the Division of Narcotic Drugs, the Bahá’í International Community offered ‘Comments and Proposals on an Effective International Campaign against Traffic in Drugs.’ The suggestions included action that might be taken by the government, society, schools, the media, parents, and important social figures.
Peace
When the United Nations proclaimed 1986 as International Year of Peace (IYP), as an occasion for rededication by member states to the goals of the UN. Charter, the Bahá’í International Community reiterated its expression of interest dating to the beginnings of the UN. in San Francisco. It provided the Executive Secretary of IYP with detailed information on the Bahá’í teachings and principles regarding peace, as well as evidence of the work of the Bahá’í world community for over one hundred years to achieve this goal, and assured him of wholehearted Bahá’í participation in that Year.
The decision of the UN. in November 1981 to declare the third Tuesday in September, the opening day of the regular yearly session of the UN. General Assembly, as International Day of Peace, was also most welcome. Bahá’í communities world-wide will in the forthcoming years undoubtedly organize programs for this occasion, in the same spirit of cooperation they have shown for a long time in celebrating UN. Day, Human Rights Day, and other special U.N. events.
405
A third development of significant interest to the Bahá’í International Community was the establishment in San Jose, Costa Rica, With the approval of the United Nations, of a University for Peace. Although not'financed or operated by the UN, this University, which will function as an institution to foster peace education, has on its Council representatives from the UN. and UNESCO. Both the Bahá’í International Community and the Bahá’ís of Costa Rica are establishing a close relationship with the University President and with members of the University Council, and look forward to contributing to that institution, as it begins its operations, both the perspective of the Bahá’í Writings and the experience of the Bahá’í world community.
Population
Involvement of the Bahá’í International Community in the issue of population—a problem considered a part of the overall social and economic development of the peoples of the planet—began in 1974 through Bahá’í participation in the World Population Year as well as in the World Population Conference in Bucharest, Romania. It has continued through attendance at the biennial sessions of the Population Commission. Recently, as preparations started for an International Conference on Population in 1984, to evaluate progress made in implementing the World Plan of Action approved in Bucharest and to deliberate on future action needed, the Bahá’í International Community joined with other non-governmental organizations in preliminary consultations and activities relating to the Conference itself and to NGO parallel programs that will take place at the same time.
Science and Technology for Development
The Bahá’í International Community was represented at the 1979 United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD), in Vienna, Austria, and also took part in the programs of a parallel Non—Governmental Forum. Its statement on ‘Science and Technology for Human Advancement,” was distributed as an official document to Conference delegates. While expressing the Bahá’í view that science and technology are ‘essential to the full development of the individual and society,’ the
[Page 406]
406
statement noted that ‘much of the difficulty in applying science to development today has come from the failure to link science with the basic spiritual and moral values upon which each society is built;’ that such values are derived from religion; and that ‘if lasting development is to occur, religion and science, “the most potent forces in human life,” must be brought into unity.’
At present, the Bahá’í International Community is in contact with the Centre for Science and Technology for Development, and participates in the yearly sessions of the Intergovernmental Committee of Science and Technology for Development, a body which has welcomed cooperation by nongovernmental organizations concerned with this vital issue.
Women
From the time that the Bahá’í International Community was granted consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1970, it has taken a very active part in UN. activities to promote the advancement of women. It has presented statements explaining the Bahá’í view on issues related to women to the UN. Commission on the Status of Women, to two world conferences on women, and to meetings held by UN. Regional Economic Commissions in preparation for those Conferences. It has also replied to questionnaires received from the UN. Branch for the Advancement of Women and submitted in the form of reports the Bahá’í view in specific areas such as employment and education. More information has probably been submitted to the United Nations on the status of women than on any other issue.
One of the earliest reports shared with the United Nations based on replies to a questionnaire prepared by the Bahá’í International Community was on the status of women in Bahá’í communities. Although the findings were preliminary in nature, they provided evidence of the deep concern in the world Bahá’í community for the condition of women, of the educational process in which Bahá’ís are involved to attain equality, and of the expectations for future expanded social and economic activities to promote the development of women.
THE Bahá’í’ WORLD
In 1980, to survey progress made during the first half of the United Nations Decade for Women (1976—1985), a Second World Conference on Women was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Again there was Bahá’í representation at four regional preparatory conferences held respectively in Paris, New Delhi, Macuto (Venezuela), and Lusaka. A delegation of women represented the Bahá’í International Community at the Copenhagen Conference, and with the cooperation of the Danish Bahá’í Community, the Bahá’í International Community was able to make a contribution to parallel NGO activities.
In its statement to the Copenhagen Conference, the Bahá’í International Community stressed two important principles which it felt would guide men and women ‘to a dedication to the best interests of humanity, in a spirit of service rather than of competition and confrontation.’ The first principle was that ‘the most effective motivation for change” was ‘a declaration of equality of the sexes based on a universally ackowledged authority and having influence on the hearts and minds of people.’ Further, ‘recognition of this authority’ had to be freely given, and ‘attract all nationalities, races, and classes to its validity’ instilling ‘the desire to abandon prejudice in favor of loving cooperation.”
The second principle was that ‘an authoritative statement of equality must be binding on men as well as women, since it is essential that men recognize the equal status of women for women to be free from the struggle for their rights, and for each sex to complement and help the other.’
A special booklet containing excerpts from the numerous Bahá’í International Community submissions to the United Nations on the equality of men and women, entitled ‘Universal Values for the Advancement of Women,” was also prepared for the Conference, and widely distributed.
In addition the Bahá’í International Community attended sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women, and was active in meetings of the NGO Committee on the UN. Decade for Women in New York—where Mrs. Mary Sawicki, for many years a Bahá’í International Community Alternate Representative for special meetings, served as ViceChairperson—and in Geneva.
1’ ACTIVITIES 407
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’
Bahá’í representatives who attended the Second World Conference on the United Nations Decade for Women, held in Copenhagen; July 1980. Left to right: Mrs. Machid Fatio, Mrs. Annette Riis-Zahra’i, Mrs. Mary Sawicki.
Bahá’í literature display on view during the Second World Conference on Women held in Copenhagen; July 1980.
[Page 408]
408
The enthusiastic participation of the Bahá’í International Community in United Nations activities related to women has led to widespread appreciation of the Bahá’í views on the significance of equality in establishing universal peace and social and economic development. The Bahá’í International Community is increasingly identified, as a result, with the worldwide network of people and organizations working in a spirit of friendly cooperation to remove traditional barriers to women’s advancement and to encourage and promote the positive attitudes vital to the achievement of full equality for men and women.
Youth
When, in December 1979, the UN. General Assembly proclaimed 1985 as International Youth Year (IYY)—with the themes of Farticipation, Development and Peace—and decided to establish an Advisory Committee for IYY to formulate a specific program of measures and activities to be undertaken prior to and during IYY, the Bahá’í International Community, whose involvement for many years in youth issues at the UN. had included participation in the 1970 World Youth Assembly in New York and the 1973 UN. Seminar on Youth and Human Rights in San Remo, Italy, warmly welcomed this decision, since it would permit an even more substantive Bahá’í expression of the vital role that youth can play in bringing about world peace and in building a world civilization.
Accordingly the Bahá’í International Community took part in the first and second sessions of the IYY Advisory Committee and established a close relationship with the UN. Secretariat for IYY at the Vienna International Centre. Further, when the NGO Youth Caucus—which, responding to an invitation, sent two representatives to the 1981 Bahá’í Youth Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.—became formally constituted as a NGO Committee on Youth, under the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Status with ECOSOC (CONGO), the Bahá’í International Community was elected to the Executive Board. It has continued to play an active role in the work of the Committee as well as its two Sub—Committees on IYY and Tree Planting, and the Bahá’í International Community repre THE BAHA‘I’ WORLD
sentative has‘ in addition, helped plan the September 1983 Annual DPl/NGO Conference on the theme of ‘The Challenge of Youth in Our Changing Society.”
The Bahá’í International Community will continue to serve as liaison with Bahá’í national communities, providing information, materials, and suggestions to assist Bahá’í youth to undertake activities and projects that will make a contribution to the valuable goals of IYY.
Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations
The Bahá’í International Community relationship with non-governmental organizations continued with the same spirit of harmony and cooperation expressed in the past, through participation during this period in activities of the Conference of NGO’s in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and its various committees on development, U.N. Women’s Decade, enw'ronment, disarmament, human rights, and the aging, in New York, Geneva, and now Vienna. It also worked closely with the NGO Committee on UNICEF and its sub-committees on issues such as the disabled child and infant feeding. In its relationship with the Department of Public Information the Bahá’í International Community attended regular briefings on UN. issues and participated in the Annual DPI/ NGO Conferences.
Bahá’í International Community representatives helped to plan and run a number of activities, such as seminars, symposia, and luncheons. These representatives contributed their time and expertise to several NGO executive committees and boards, and now serve as Chairmen of the NGO Committee on UNICEF (Dr. Victor de Araujo) and of the NGO Committee on Human Rights (New York) (Mr. Gerald Knight), and as ViceChairmen Of the DPI/NGO Executive Committee (Mr. Gerald Knight) and of the Committee on the UN. Decade for Women (Mrs. Mary Sawicki).
From time to time the Bahá’í International
Community co-sponsored statements with
other non-governmental organizations, as it
had in the past, when these were constructive
and non-political in nature. It also continued
occasionally to take part in conferences organ
[Page 409]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I’ ACTIVITIES
ized by non-governmental organizations on subjects of special Bahá’í interest. Such were the 10th Conference on the Law of the World, 8210 Paulo, Brazil, 1981, and the United Towns Conference, Casablanca, Morocco, November, 1981—and the previously mentioned World Congresses on Mental Health.
n;
Relationship of the Baha 1 International Community t0 the South Pacific Commission
The Bahá’í International Community began its participation in the work of the South Pacific Commission in 1978 when it was invited to attend the 18th South Pacific Conference—one of the yearly meetings of the Commission—in Noumea, New Caledonia. Since then, because of the strong interest of the Bahá’í community of the Pacific in the work of the Commission, and with the assistance and recommendations of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia, it has pursued its involvement in the activities of this important intergovernmental body, whose aim is to promote the economic and social well-being and advancement of the peoples of the Pacific Island countries and territories.
Accordingly the Bahá’í International Community attended the South Pacific Confer 409
ences in Papeete, Tahiti (1979), Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (1980), Port Vila, Vanuatu (1981), and Pago Pago, American Samoa (1982). An oral statement on the issue of children—‘Meeting the Needs of Island Children’—was made to the Tahiti Conference; and written statements were circulated to the three other conferences, respectively on ‘Spiritual and Social Values for Rural Development,’ ‘The Preservation of the High Qualities of Life in the Pacific,’ and ‘Rural Development: The Bases for Progress in the Pacific.” Mrs. Tinai Hancock, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia, most ably represented the Bahá’í International Community at these conferences with the assistance of alternate representatives from different Bahá’í communities in the Pacific.
Having made the South Pacific Commission aware of the intense Bahá’í’ concern for the well-being of the peoples of the Pacific area, in their spiritual as well as physical development, a new stage of cooperatidn was beginning to unfold, as it became evident that the Commission would like to work closely with Bahá’í communities in rural development programs—through Bahá’í community projects or participation in SPC projects—to improve the quality of life of the Island peoples.
Bahá’í International Community representatives to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights held in Geneva; 15 February 1982. Left, Mrs. Machid Fatio; right, Mr. Gerald Knight.
2
4
7
p—A
0
1
410
ANNEX I
THE BAHA'I’ WORLD
SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCES. CONGRESSES AND SEMINARS IN WHICH THE BAHA'I INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
PARTICIPATED 1979—1983
. United Nations Children‘s Fund (UNICEF) Special 11. Seminar 0n the Relations that Exist between Human Meeting on Children in Latin America and the Carih- Rights. Peace and Development: New York. U.S.A.; hcan; Mexico City. Mexico: 16—18 May 1979. 3—14 August 1981.
Reps.: Mrs. Carmen dc Burafato. Mr. Sydney Adlcr. Reps; Dr. Victor dc Araujn. Mr. Gerald Knight. Mr. Mrs. Cheryl Martinez. Mr. Francisco Chiu. Giovanni Ballcrio.
. Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Regional 12. United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Preparatory Confcrcncc for World Conference 01the Sources of Energy; Nairobi. Kenya; 10—21 August Dccadc for Women: Paris. France: 9—12 July 1979. 1981.
Reps.: Mrs. Annette Riis-Zahru'i. Mrs. Francoise RCps.: Mr. Peter Vuyiya. Mr. Richard St. Barbe chlcmzlriam. Baker, Mrs. Falairivu Taafaki. Mrs. Irma Alien, Mrs.
. United Nations Conference on Science and chhno— Catherine Mboya. Mr. Bernard Muyendo. Mrs. DebIogy for Development; Vienna, Austria; 20—31 August orah Christensen.
1979. 13. United Nations Conference on Least Developed Coun chs.: Dr. Marco Kappcnbcrger. Dr. Gerhard Schwc- tries: Paris. France: 1—14 September 1981.
lot. Dr. Kent Bcvcridgc, Mr. Gunther Haug. Mrs. Otti ch.: Mrs. Anncttc Riis-Zahra‘i.
Kacfcr. Ms. Ingrid Missaghi, Dr. Leo Nicdcrrcilcr, 14. Seminar on Protection Available to Victims of Racial
Mr. Roland Philipp. Discrimination; Managua. Nicaragua, 14—22 Decem. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the bcr 1981.
Pacific (ESCAP) Regional Preparatory Conference for Rep: Mr. Richard Mirkovich.
World Conference of the Decade for Women: New 15. Special Session of the United Nations Environment
Delhi.1ndia;5—9 November 1979. Programme (UNEP) Governing Council; Nairobi.
chs.: Mrs. Zena Sorabjcc, Dr. Tahcra Vujdi. Mrs. Kenya; 10—18 May 1982.
Bharti Gandhi. chs.: Mr. Hassan Sahri, Mrs. Catherine Mboya, Mr.
. Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) George Okullo. Dr. Donald Pcdcd. Mr. Tim Rost. Mr. Regional Preparatory Conference for World Cunfcr- Pctcr Vuyiya, Mr. Bonaventure Wafula. once of the Decade for Women: Macuto. Vcnczucla: 16. Twelfth Special Session of the United Nations General 12—16N0vcmbcr 1979. Assembly on Disarmament: New York. U.S.A.: 7 Reps; Miss Arccclis Tapia. Mrs. Helena Ncri. Junc—9 July 1982.
. Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Regional Rep.: Dr. Victor dc Araujo.
Preparatory Conference for World Conference of the 17. Seminar on National. Local and Regional ArrangeDccadc for Women: Lusaka. Zambia: 3—7 December ments for the Promotion and Protection of Human 1979. Rights in the Asian Region; Colombo, Sri Lanka. 21 Rops.: Mrs. Ruth Vuyiya. Mrs. Kathleen Iliggs. Mrs. June through 2 July 1982.
Linda Kcndcl. ch.: Mr. Jamshcd K. Fozdar.
. World Conference of the United Nations Decade for 18. World Assembly on Aging; Vienna. Austria, 26 July Women; Copenhagen. Denmark: 14—30 July 1980. through 6 August 1982. chs.: Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Mrs. Machid Fatio. Mrs. Reps.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio. Dr. Leo Nicderrcitcr. Anncttc Riis-Zahra‘i. Mr. Roland Philipp. Mrs. Otti Kacfcr.
. Sixth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of 19. Seminar on Recourse Procedures and Other forms of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders; Caracas. Protection Available to Victims of Racial DiscriminaVcnczucla: 25 August—S September 1980. tion and Activities to be Undertaken at the National Rep.: Mr. Wallace Baldwin. and Regional chcls, with Special Reference to Asia
. Eleventh Special Session of the General Assembly on and the Pacific: Bangkok. Thailand. 2—13 August 1982. the New International Economic Order; New York, ch.: Mr. Mark Starrs.
U.S.A.; 25 August—IS September 1980. 20. Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration Reps.: Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mr. Gerald Knight. and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE ‘82): . Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Vienna, Austria; 9—21 August 1982. Pacific (ESCAP) Sub«Regiona1 Follow-Up Meeting to ch5.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio. Mrs. Otti Kacfer. Mr. 1980 World Conference of United Nations Decade for Roland Philipp. Dr. Leo Nicderrcitcr. Women: Suva. Fiji; 29 October—3 November 1980. Rep.: Mrs. Irene Williams. ANNEX II
STATEMENTS, REPORTS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS PRESENTED BY THE BAHA'I INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO THE UNITED NATIONS
1979—1983
. ‘Obscrvutions Concerning Ways and Means for the Improvement in the Status and Role of Women in Education and in the Economic and Social Ficlds‘ submitted to the Branch for the Advancement of
Women of the United Nations Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs in reply to their questionnaire; 22 June 1979.
2. ‘The Impact of the Mass Communication Media on the
[Page 411]
l(.
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT Bahá’í’ ACTIVITIES
Changing Roles of Men and Women.‘ reply to a questionnaire from Special Rapporteur Of the Economic and Social Council. Mrs. Esmeralda Arboleda Cuevas; 20 July 1979.
. ‘Seience and Technology for Human Advancement.‘
written statement submitted to the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development, U.N. document A/CONF/Sl/BP/NGO/19; Vienna. Austria. 20—31 August 1979.
. Written statement to the Econnmic and Social Com mission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Regional Preparatory Conference for the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women; New Delhi. India. 5~9 November 1979.
. Written statement presented to the Economic Com mission for Latin America (ECLA) Regional Preparatory Conference for the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women on the Integration of Women into the Economic and Social Development of Latin America: Macuto, Venezuela. 12—16 November 1979.
. Written statement to the Economic Commission for
Africa (ECA) Second Regional Conference for the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women on the Integration of Women in Development; Lusaka. Zambia. 3-7 December 1979.
. Report of participation of the Bahá’í International
Community in the ‘lmplementation Of the Programme for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination~ presented to the United Nations Division of Human Rights; December 1979.
. Report on the Draft Declaration on the Elimination of
All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief presented to the U.N. Division of Human Rights; 31 December 1979.
. Written statement submitted to the 36th Session of the
Commission on Human Rights on the Draft Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, U.N. document E/CN.4/NGO/263; 1 February 1980. (A fuller treatment of Bahá’í International Community views. along with a draft Declaration incorporating the changes suggested. was made available to participants at the Commission Session.)
Report of activities of Bahá’í communities during 1979 in combatting drug abuse, circulated to the 6th special session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. as U.N. document E/CN.7/647/Add.3: Vienna. Austria. 6 February 1980.
. ‘The Moral Imperatives of Opposing the Arms Race:
A Bahzi’l' Perspective,‘ oral statement presented at the Annual Conference of the Non-Governmental Organizations Organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information; New York. U.S.A.. 19 June 1980.
. ‘Summary Report of Activities During International
Year of the Child.‘ submitted to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). the U.N. Department of International Economic and Social Affairs. and the U.N. Department of Public Information; March 1980. (Published as a special issue of Bahá’í News, July 1980.)
. Written statement presented to the World Cdnference
of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality. Development and Peace, U.N. document A/CONF.94/ NGO/ll; Copenhagen, Denmark, 14—30 July 1980.
. ‘Universal Values for the Advancement of Women.‘
report prepared for the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women and NGO Forum; Copenhagen. Denmark, 14—30 July 1980.
. ‘Crime Trends and Crime Prevention Strategies}
written statement to the Sixth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
. ‘Comments
411
of Offenders. circulated as A/CONF.87/NGO/BIC; Caracas. Venezuela. 25 August to S September 1980.
. “The Right to Development: Exploring its Social and
Cultural Dimensions.’ written statement submitted to the NGO Workgroup on Social and Cultural Dimensions of Development, Agenda for the Eighties; New York. U.S.A.. 26 August 1980.
. Ora] statement to the Economic and Social Commis sion for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Sub-Regional Follow-Up Meeting for Pacific Women to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women; Suva. Fiji. 29 October to 3 November 1980.
. ‘Implementation of the Programme for Action to
Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.‘ oral statement presented to the Commission on Human Rights at its 37th session; Geneva. Switzerland, 13 February 1981.
on Sub—Commission Resolution 3 (XXXIII).‘ information submitted to the United Nations Division of Human Rights: 1 July 1981.
Oral statement to the Seminar on the Relations that Exist between Human Rights. Peace and Development; New York. U.S.A.. 3—14 August 1981. Information submitted to the United Nations Branch for the Advancement of Women at the request of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs in preparing reports for the 29th session of the Commiésion on the Status of Women; 14 August 1981. Written statement to the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy; Nairobi. Kenya. 10—21 August 1981.
‘Measures to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and the Role of the Suh-Commission.‘ oral statement to the Sub—Commissivn on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, 34th session; 20 August 1981.
Oral statement to the United Nations Seminar on Protection Available to Victims of Racial Discrimination; Managua. Nicaragua. 14—22 December 1981. ‘lmplementation of the Programme for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Diserimination.‘ oral statement presented to the 38th session of the Commission on Human Rights; Geneva, Switzerland, 15 February 1982.
Oral statement. delivered in French, on summary or arbitrary executions, to the seventh session of the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control: Vienna, Austria, 22 March 1982.
‘Aetivities Of the Bahá't’ International Community Related to the Work of the United Nations During the Period October 1977 through September 1981': report submitted to the United Nations Economic and Social Council for its quadrennial review of non—govemmcntal organizations in consultative status; circulated in U.N. document E/C.2/1982/Add.3; 14—16 April 1982.
Oral statement presented to the United Nations Seminar on National, Local and Regional Arrangements for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Asian Region; Colombo, Sri Lanka. 21 June through 2 July 1982.
Oral statement presented to the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly (Second Special Session on Disarmament). U.N. document A/S-IZ/ AC.1/1’V.5; New York. U.S.A., 24 June 1982.
Oral statement presented to the World Assembly on Aging; Vienna, Austria, 26 July through 6 August 1982.
Oral statement presented to the United Nations Seminar on Recourse Procedures and Other Forms of Protection Available to Victims of Racial Discrimination and Activities to be Undertaken at the National and Regional Levels, with Special Reference to Asia and the Pacific; Bangkok, Thailand, 2— 13 August 1982.
[Page 412]
412
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
3.
‘Co~operation at the international. regional and subregional levels to combat racial discrimination,‘ working paper circulated as UN. document HR/THAI THE BAHA
1’ WORLD
Nations Commission on Human Rights, U.N. document FJCN.4/1983/WG.2; Geneva. Switzerland, 21 January 1983.
LAND/1982/WP.12; Bangkok,Thailund.2—13 August 39. Oral statement on the Implementation of the Pro1982. gramme for the Decade to Combat Racism and Racial ‘Déclaration dc la Communaulé International Bahu‘ie Discrimination presented to the 14th meeting of the Groupe de travail sur les populations autochtones.‘ Commission on Human Rights; Geneva, Switzerland. oral statement to the first session of the Working 9 February 1983. Group an Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commis- 40. Oral statement on Social Integration presented to the sion on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Commission on Social Development. 28th session; Minorities; 9—13 August 1982. Vienna. Austria, 10 February 1983. Oral statement presented to the Second United Nations 4]. Oral statement on the Declaration on the Right to Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Development presented to the 17th meeting of the Outer Space; Vienna, Austria. 13 August 1982, Commission on Human Rights; Geneva, Switzerland, Background paper circulated in English at the Second 11 February 1983. United Nations Conference on the Exploration and 42. Oral statement on the Rights of Indigenous Populations Peaceful Uses of Outer Space as document A/CONF. presented to the 28th meeting of the Commission on 101/BP/NGO/6; Vienna, Austria, 9—21 August 1982. Human Rights; Geneva. Switzerland, 18 February ‘Comments and Proposals on an Effective Inter- 1983. national Campaign Against Traffic in Drugs,’ written 43. Oral statement on Implementation of the Declaration statement submitted to the United Nations Division of on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of NarcotieDrugs; 1 September 1982. Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief presented Written statement on the Convention on the Rights of to the 28th meeting of the Commission on Human the Child submitted to the 39th session of the United Rights; Geneva, Switzerland, 18 February 1983. Nations Commission on Human Rights. U.N. docu- 44. Oral statement on Implementation of the Declaration ment E/CN.4/NGO/3; Geneva. Switzerland. 13 Jan— on the Elimination of all Forms of Intoleranee and of uary 1983. Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief presented Written proposals on the Convention on the Rights of to the 50th meeting of the Commission on Human the Child submitted to the 39th session of the United Rights; Geneva, Switzerland, 7 March 1983. ANNEX III
RELATIONSHIP OF THE BAHA’T INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION (Conferences Attended)
. The 19th Conference of the South Pacific Commission;
Papeete, Tahiti; 6—12 October 1979. Reps.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock. Mrs. Lilian Ala‘i.
. The 20th Conference of the South Pacific Commission;
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: 18—24 October 1980. Reps.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock, Mr. Aminio Bale.
3. The let Conference of the South Pacific Commission;
Port Vila. Vanuatu; 24—30 October 1981. Reps.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock, Mr. Kalman Kiri.
4. The 22nd Conference of the South Pacific Commission;
Page Pago, American Samoa; 28—29 October 1982. Rep.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock.
STATEMENTS PRESENTED TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION AT CONFERENCES
. ‘Meeting the Needs of Island Children.’ oral statement
presented to the 19th Conference of the South Pacific Commission; Papeete, Tahiti, 6—12 October 1979.
. ‘Spiritual and Social Values for Rural Development,’
written statement presented to the 20th Conference of the South Pacific Commission; Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea, 18—24 October 1980.
‘The Preservation of the High Qualities of Life in the
Pacific,‘ written statement presented to the let Conference of the South Pacific Commission; Port Vila, Vanuatu. 24—30 October 1981.
. ‘Rural Development: The Basis for Progress in the
Pacific.‘ written statement presented to the 22nd Conference of the South Pacific Commission; Pago Pago,
American Samoa, 23—29 October 1982.
[Page 413]
)3
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA fACTIVITIES 413
The mm mIn-m
m: momss ,. msmmzm m Dance u TfMESA DESAAME y PM
w“ wrmu‘ com urywwiv
CM . .J .m “11:7,.“ m _ a t
. III ‘
u A selection of the major publications of the Bahaz International Community,
including the ‘white paper’ entitled The Bahá’ís in Iran (in English, French and
Spanish), two other documents on the persecutions, and a statement on The Promise of Disarmament and Peace.
United Nations Day observance sponsored by the Bahá’ís ofAddis Ababa, Ethiopia; 24 October 1980.
[Page 414]
414
THE BAHA’I’ WORLD
3. ACTIVITIES OF THE Bahá’í INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RELATING TO THE PERSECUTION OF THE Bahá’í FAITH IN1RAN
Riḍván 1979—Ridv2’1n 1983
THE activities of the Bahá’í International Community in connection with the persecution of the Bahá’í community of lran began during the months of revolutionary turmoil that preceded the overthrow of the Pahlavi regime. (Details of the persecutions suffered by the Bahá’ís during that period are to be found on page 79 of vol. XVII of The Balui‘z’ World.) In November 1978 the Bahá’í International Community issued a statement to the international news media, emphasizing the perilous situation of the Bahá’í community of him and explaining the true nature and teachings of the Bahá’í Faith (which had frequently been misrepresented in media reports on the disturbances in lran). Detailed information concerning the persecutions was sent to the Secretary-General and senior human rights officials of the United Nations. The following month, the Bahá’í International Community addressed a direct appeal to UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, urging him to intervene to protect the lives and properties of the Bahá’ís in lran.
Following the accession to power of lran’s revolutionary government early in 1979, the Bahá’í International Community, on behalf of the Bahá’ís of the world, cabled Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan to request that the Bahá’í religious minority be granted full recognition and protection under the new Iranian Constitution, which was at that time being drafted. Two months later, in May 1979, the Bahá’í International Community again cabled Prime Minister Bazargan, expressing the dismay of the Bahá’í world at the continuing attacks on the Bahá’ís and the. seizure of their holy places, refuting in detail the many false allegations being propagated in lran against the Bahá’í Faith and its followers, and requesting once again that the Bahá’í minority be granted constitutional recognition and protection.
Throughout 1979 the Bahá’í International Community wrote repeatedly to the Iranian
Mission to the United Nations, expressing its grave concern at each adverse development in the situation of the Bahá’ís and urgently seeking an appointment to discuss the matter. The Iranian Charge d’Affaires, Mr. Jamal Shemirani. agreed to only one meeting, held in June 1979, when he assured Dr. Victor de Araujo, representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations, that the government of the Islamic Republic of Train was firmly committed to protecting the lives and properties of all its citizens, and that the Bahá’í holy places in lrzin had been taken over by the government solely for their protection.
Despite these assurances. the situation continued to deteriorate and, in September 1979, the Bahá’í International Community found it necessary to cable Prime Minister Bazargan as follows:
HAVE RECEIVED DISTRESSING NEWS THAT IRRESPONSIBLE PERSONS HAVE ASSEMBLED TO DEMOLISH THE HOUSE OF THE BAR IN SHIRAZ THE HOLIEST PLACE FOR BAHAIS IN IRAN STRONGLY REQUEST YOUR EXCELLENCY INTERCEDE TO PREVENT THIS RASH AND UNBEFITTING ACTION WHICH WILL CAUSE CONSTERNATION T0 BAHAIS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
This message, like those before it, failed to elicit any response from the Iranian government, and it was at this point that the Bahá’í International Community first took steps to bring the plight of the Bahá’ís in Tran formally to the attention of government representatives to the United Nations. A letter was sent to the UN Ambassadors of almost one hundred nations, conveying the shock and dismay of the Bahá’í world at the wanton destruction of the House of the Báb. The Ambassadors were not requested to intervene at this stage, since it was still hoped that, as the situation in lran stabilized, the Iranian government would take steps to control the fanatical elements within the country and to
[Page 415]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA‘I’ ACTIVITIES
provide relief and protection for the Bahá’ís.
For similar reasons no action was taken to raise the issue for debate by the human rights organs of the United Nations. The UN Secretary-General and the Director of the UN Centre for Human Rights were, however, kept fully informed of all developments pertaining to the situation of the Bahá’ís. When, in February 1980, a UN Commission of Inquiry was appointed to visit Iran for the purpose of receiving testimony concerning alleged violations of human rights perpetrated during the Pahlavi regime, the Bahá’í International Community was able to submit to the five expert members of that body a detailed account of the acts of discrimination and persecution suffered by the Bahá’í community between the years 1921 and 1978, evidence which clearly refuted the false allegation that the Bahá’ís had been closely affiliated with and had consequently benefited from the former regime.
In June 1980 Mr. Gerald Knight, alternate representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations, met Iran’s new Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Mansour Farhang, and conveyed to him the Bahá’í International Community’s grave concern at the ever-increasing scale of the persecutions against the Bahá’í community in Iran. Ambassador Farhang stated that the Iranian government was not itself opposed to the Bahá’í’s, that there was no organized movement in Iran‘against the Bahá’ís, and that the attacks upon them were the work of fanatical elements which the government was not yet able to control.
As the persecutions intensified the Bahá’í International Community appealed once again to UN Secretary-General Waldheim to intervene with the Iranian authorities on behalf of the Bahá’ís. The UN correspondents Of the international media were kept closely informed of developments and the Bahá’í International Community sought the assistance of appropriate non-governmental organizations—notably Amnesty International, the International League for Human Rights and the International Commission of Juristsin increasing international awareness of the plight of the Bahá’ís of Iran. Urgent appeals were addressed to Ambassador Farhang, and later to President Bani-sadr and Prime Min 415
ister Rajai of Iran, strongly protesting the arbitrary arrests of Bahá’ís on manifestly false charges and urging them to intervene to protect the oppressed Bahá’í minority.
In July 1980 the Bahá’í International Community wrote for the second time to UN Ambassadors, reporting the summary execution of two members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tabn’z, recounting the manifold persecutions being suffered by the friends in Iran, and briefly explaining the nature and teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. The following month a further letter was sent to the same Ambassadors, reporting the arrest of the entire membership of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Iran and rebutting the false Charge of espionage that had been levelled against them. In both letters, the Bahá’í International Community appealed to the Ambassadors and their governments to use their good offices to persuade the Iranian government to take steps to alleviate the plight of the Bahá’ís.
When it became apparent that all appeals to the Iranian government were going unheeded. the Universal House of Justice directed the Bahá’í International Community to appeal to international bodies to take action on behalf of the beleaguered friends in Iran.
The first body to which an appeal was made was the United Nations Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, a body composed of twentysix independent experts from all parts of the world. In its statement to the SubCommission, the Bahá’í International Community described the many violations of human rights suffered by the Bahá’í community since the start of the Iranian Revolution and emphasized the escalating nature of the persecution. On 10 September 1980 the SubCommission adopted a resolution in which it expressed its profound concern for the safety of the recently-arrested members of the National Spiritual Assembly and invited the government of Iran to protect the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Bahá’í minority.1
The Bahá’í International Community coordinated the efforts of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Europe to bring the plight of
' Sub-Commission resolution 10 (XXXIII).
I’WORLD
416 THE BAHA
Bahá’z’ delegation to the meetings of the European Parliament held in September 1980.
Bahá’í delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe which met in Strasbourg, France; 29 January 1981.
[Page 417]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I’ ACTIVITIES
the Bahá’ís in Iran to the attention of European parliamentarians prior to the September 1980 meetings of the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Appropriate documentation was prepared by the Bahá’í International Community for circulation to European parliamentarians and government officials. On 19 September 1980 the Bahá’í delegation, which included a representative from each of the nine member states of the European Community, had the satisfaction of witnessing the adoption by the 410—member European Parliament of a unanimous resolution condemning the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran and calling upon the government of Iran to grant recognition to the Bahá’í community.1
A smaller Bahá’í International Community delegation remained in Strasbourg to cover the meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Numerous interviews were arranged at which the situation of the Bahá’í’s in Iran was discussed in detail with Ambassadors and human rights officials at the Council of Europe. On 29 September 1980 the Parliamentary Assembly published a Written Declaration calling upon the Committee of Ministers of the twenty-one member states of the Council of Europe to make urgent representations to the Iranian authorities to put an end to the persecution of the Bahá’í’s.2
Following the resolution of the European Parliament, the foreign ministers of several member governments of the European Community informed the Bahá’í’s in their own countries that the nine member states of the European Community shared the concern of the European parliamentarians for the plight of the Bahá’ís in Iran. Since efforts to improve the treatment of the Bahá’ís had produced no positive results, the Bahá’í International Community took the matter to the human rights organs of the United Nations.
Acting on this recommendation, the Bahá’í International Community made two statements at the 37th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights at its February/March 1981 meeting in Geneva.
' Resolution not numbered. Text appears in the Official Journal of the European Communities, Volume 23, reference C 265.
3 For text see Parliamentary Assembly document no. 4622—Writtcn Declaration No. 88 (3rd edition) of 11 May 1981 (originally tabled on 29 September 1980).
417
This step represented a milestone in efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the Bahá’ís in Iran, since it was the first occasion on which the Bahá’í case had been officially presented to a truly international body of governments—in this case, a body composed of forty-three member states of the United Nations from every continent of the world.
In its first statement the Bahá’í International Community drew the attention of the Commission to the kidnapping and subsequent disappearance of fourteen prominent Bahá’ís in Iran. In its second statement, the Bahá’í International Community described the persecutions in Iran, emphasized their systematic nature, and explained the significance of the deliberate omission of the Bahá’í minority from the Iranian Constitution.
Many delegations from the one hundred or so governments represented at the Commission, either as members or observers, were extremely sympathetic to the Bahá’í case and four governments—Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdommade specific references to the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran in general statements on the violation of human rights. In response, the representative of Iran categorically denied that Bahá’ís were being arrested, executed and abducted in Iran and affirmed that the Bahá’í minority enjoyed full rights and protection under the Iranian Constitution.
Concerned at the Iranian government’s failure to respond to any of the appeals so far addressed to it, the Bahá’í International Community again worked closely with the National Spiritual Assemblies of Europe to launch a further appeal to European parliamentarians. The response was immediate. On 10 April 1981 the European Parliament adopted its second unanimous resolution on the Bahá’í case, calling on the foreign ministers of the ten member states of the European Community (Greece had joined the nine in January 1981) to make urgent representations to the Iranian government ‘to secure! the release of members of the Bahá’í community currently in detention merely on account of their religious beliefs, and to prevent any persecution of and discrimination against the Bahá’í minority in Iran’.3 The following
3 Resolution not numbered. Text appears in the Official Journal of the European Communities, Volume 24, reference C 101.
[Page 418]
418
month the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe tabled a resolution in which it voiced its grave concern at the "escalation in the systematic campaign of persecution being waged against the Bahá’ís in iran’ and recommended that the matter be brought to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly.1
In a statement to the European Parliament on 6 May 1981, the foreign minister of the Netherlands (the then chairman of the Council of Ministers of the European Community) stated that the situation of the Bahá’ís had been discussed by the Council of Ministers on various occasions and would continue to receive the full attention of the ten member states. Later in the same month the Bahá’í International Community was invited by the government of the Netherlands to prepare a brief general statement concerning the Iranian Bahá’í community for transmittal t0 the Ambassadors of the ten in Tehran. The concern of these governments was further manifested at the spring 1981 meeting in New York of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) where, in a joint statement dealing with religious intolerance, the ten member states of the European Community drew the attention of ECOSOC’s fifty-four member governments to the perilous situation of the Bahá’ís in Train. The representative of Canada also referred to the Bahá’ís in his remarks on the same subject.
The Bahá’í International Community meanwhile continued. its efforts to win some relief for the suffering friends in Tran. Details of the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and subsequent disappearance of fourteen prominent Bahá’ís were documented and submitted to the five-member UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances—a subsidiary body of the Commission on Human Rights—which met in closed session in New York early in May 1981. By poignant coincidence, the wife of one of the disappeared members of the National Assembly of Tran was visiting New York at that time and the Bahá’í International Community took steps to ensure that the members of the Working Group received her first-hand account of her husband’s arrest and of her
‘ Parliamentary Assembly document no. 4733 of 14 May 1981.
THE BAHA‘ WORLD
subsequent attempts to trace him. Arrangements were also made for this courageous lady to share her experiences with diplomats and senior human rights officials at the United Nations. including the Director of the UN Division for Human Rights, Mr. Theo van Boven. The Working Group subsequently raised the question of the disappearances with the Iranian authorities, who disclaimed responsibility and denied all knowledge of the whereabouts 0r fate of the missing Bahá’ís.
It had by this time become apparent that the persecutions in Iran were not only continuing but were increasing both in severity and scale, and the Bahá’í International Community accordingly intensified its efforts to publicize the plight of.the Bahá’ís and to win further international support for their case. Although it appeared unlikely that the government of Train would respond favourably to international appeals on behalf of the Bahá’ís, it was clearly important to ensure that the campaign of persecution was not allowed to proceed in a semi—clandestine manner and that the Iranian authorities were made fully aware of the fact that any acts of persecution against the Bahá’í community would inevitably attract widespread international publicity and condemnation.
The Bahá’í International Community ac cordingly initiated a policy, which it has
continued, of reporting immediately not only to the UN Secretary-General (as it had always done) but also to governments (through their UN Ambassadors) each time a major new incident of persecution occurred. In response to the appeals which accompanied these
.reports, the Secretary-General and a number
of individual governments repeatedly made their concern for the Bahá’ís known to the Iranian authorities through appropriate diplomatic channels. Media correspondents at the United Nations were likewise informed of each new development in Tran. There was a consequent renewal of interest in the Bahá’í case, resulting in increased press coverage of the persecutions, as well as radio and television interviews in which representatives of the Bahá’í International Community were able to increase public awareness of the sufferings of their fellow believers in Tran. Additional steps were taken by the Bahá’í International Community to ensure that the
[Page 419]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I/ ACTIVITIES
plight of the Bahá’í’s became not only more widely known but also more fully understood. A major step was the publication, in June 1981, of a report entitled The Bahá’ís in Iran: A Report on the Persecution of a Religious Minority, which documented the persecutions, examined their historical background and motivation, discussed and refuted the false charges customarily levelled against the Bahá’ís by the Iranian authorities, charted the course of international efforts to halt the persecutions, and briefly explained the major principles of the Bahá’í Faith. Published in English, French and Spanish, this 86-page illustrated brochure was made available to National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world for use in their contacts with parliamentarians, civil servants, prominent persons and the media in their own countries. Copies were circulated by the Bahá’í International Community to UN Ambassadors, the SecretaryGeneral, human rights officials in New York and Geneva, non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights and UN correspondents of the international media. The report was subsequently distributed by the Bahá’í International Community at every UN meeting at which human rights violations in Tran were discussed and quickly became the standard reference document on the Bahá’í case. The information it contained was updated by a supplementary report published in November 1981. A revised and fully updated edition was published in July 1982.
Two further documents were prepared by the Bahá’í International Community specifically for the information of government representatives and human rights officials: the first, a chronological summary of individual acts of persecution against Bahá’ís in Tran during the period August 1978 to September 1981; the second, a compilation of official documentation from Tran testifying to religious discrimination against the members of the Bahá’í community.
By the time the United Nations General Assembly met for its 36th session from September to December 1981, the persecution of the Bahá’í’s in Tran was generally recognized as being the foremost example of religious intolerance in the contemporary world, and was frequently cited as such. The sufferings endured by the Bahá’ís served to focus the
419
attention of governments on the need to establish international standards for the protection of the right to freedom of religion and the plight of the Bahá’ís was much in the mind of delegates when, on 25 November 1981, the General Assembly voted in plenary session to adopt the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. The adoption of this major new international human rights instrument was widely considered to be one of the most important achievements of the 36th General Assembly, and certainly the most important recent achievement of the Commission on Human Rights (which drafted it) and of its parent body, the Economic and Social Council (which passed it to the General Assembly for adoption). Following the adoption of this historic Declaration, the delegation of Tran took the floor to indicate that it could support the Declaration “insofar as it is in total conformity with Islamic jurisprudence’.
Many delegations at the 36th General Assembly expressed their anxiety over the human rights situation in Train and the governments of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom (on behalf of the ten member states of the European Community) and the United States referred specifically to the persecution of the Bahá’ís. The delegation of Tran responded by denying that Bahá’ís were persecuted for their religion and by alleging that the Bahá’í Faith was not a religion but a political tool of western colonialism.
A large number of delegations expressed their concern at the growing incidence of summary and arbitrary executions in various parts of the world, and the United Kingdom (on behalf of the ten member states of the European Community) made specific reference to the executions in Tran. The General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning these practices and requesting the UN Committee on Crime Prevention and Control to examine the problem at its 7th session in March 1982. The Bahá’í International Community sent a representative to the meeting of that Committee in Vienna, to provide information about the summary and arbitrary executions of Bahá’ís in 1ran during the previous two years.
In a statement at the 34th session of
[Page 420]
420
the United Nations Sub-Commission 0n Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, the Bahá’í International Community drew attention to the fact that the persecutions in lran were not only intensifying but were becoming increasingly official in nature and that mere membership in the Bahá’í community and participation in Bahá’í activities was now being treated by the courts as a capital offence. On 19 September 1981 the Sub-Commission adopted its second resolution on the Bahá’í case. This resolution—cosponsored by members from Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia—drew the attention of the Commission on Human Rights (the parent body of the Sub-Commission) t0 the ‘perilous situation faced by the Bahá’í community in Iran’ and requested the UN Secretary-General to ‘submit all relevant information about the treatment of the Bahá’ís in Iran to the Commission on Human Rights at its thirty-eighth session’.I
While in Europe for the Sub-Commission, Gerald Knight met with foreign ministry officials in Paris and Stockholm, spoke in Bonn at a reception for parliamentarians hosted by the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and, at a Bahá’í conference in London, briefed the Continental Board of Counsellors and members of the National Assemblies of Europe on the work being carried out by the Bahá’í International Community in connection with the situation in lran.
In a statement issued on 25 November 1981, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe expressed its deep concern over reports of the continuing persecution of the Bahá’ís, called for an intensification of the endeavours of the United Nations to improve the lot of the Bahá’í community in Tran, and indicated that it would closely follow developments at the forthcoming 38th session of the Commission on Human Rights.
Early in January 1982 the Bahá’í International Community, on behalf of the Bahá’ís Of the world, cabled Ayatollah Khomeini, Prime Minister Mir Husayn Musavi and the President of the Supreme Court of Train, Ayatollah Musavi Ardibili, protesting the recent secret executions of eight members of
‘ Sub-Commission resolution 8 (XXXIV).
THE Bahá’í WORLD
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í’s of Train and seven other Bahá’ís, including six members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tihran who had been condemned to death on false charges of espionage. The cable called upon the Iranian leaders to take steps to halt the summary arrest and execution of Bahá’ís, to require those responsible for formulating charges against the Bahá’ís to produce documentary evidence in support of those charges and to extend to the members of the Bahá’í community the right—which had been rigidly denied to them—to defend themselves and disprove publicly the false and malicious charges brought against them.
A nineteen-member Bahá’í delegation attended the January 1982 meeting in Strasbourg of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The delegation was composed of representatives of the National Assemblies of sixteen Of the twenty-one member states of the Council of Europe, together with representatives of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations in New York and Geneva. On the agenda of the parliamentary Assembly for Friday 29 January 1982 was the item: ‘Persecutions in Tran: Rapporteur M. Dejardin.’ Monsieur Dejardin’s report dealt with the overall human rights situation in Trim and contained extensive references to the persecution of the Bahá’ís. During the two-hour debate that followed the presentation of this report, eighteen speakers from ten different countries expressed their horror at the massive violations of human rights taking place in lran and focused especially on the religious persecution of the Bahá’ís. Some speakers strongly urged the Commission on Human Rights to take action on the Bahá’í case. At the conclusion of the debate the Parliamentary Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution in which it expressed its wholehearted support for the attitudes taken by the Sub-Commission and called upon the government of train to extend constitutional guarantees to the Bahá’í community.2
A major diplomatic initiative was jointly launched by fifteen governments—the ten member states of the European Community, together with Australia, Norway, Portugal,
2 Parliamentary Assembly resolution 768 (1982).
[Page 421]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA‘I’ ACTIVITIES
Sweden and Switzerland—which, on 31 January 1982, made a démarche (formal representation) to the Iranian government in Tihran. The text of the démarche expressed profound concern at the recent executions of prominent Bahá’ís, drew the attention of the Iranian government to the relevant provisions of the major international human rights instruments (to which Iran had subscribed) and stated that the fifteen governments wished to receive assurances that those provisions would be respected in the case of members of the Bahá’í community in Iran.
As requested by the Sub-Commission in its resolution of 19 September 1981, a report on the treatment of the Bahá’ís in Iran was prepared by the UN Secretary-General and circulated to delegates at the 38th session of the Commission on Human Rights.1 The report included a summary of the information contained in the Bahá’í International Community publication The Bahá’ís in I'rdn: A Report on the Persecution of a Religious Minority and its November 1981 update.
Extensive references were made at the Commission to the human rights situation in Iran and thirteen of the Commission’s fortythree member governments referred specifically to the plight of the Bahá’ís. The representative of Iran responded to these expressions of concern by attacking the bona fides of the human rights organs of the United Nations in taking up the case of the Bahá’ís and by claiming that historical links existed between the Bahá’í Faith and western colonialism, that the Bahá’ís were opponents of Islam and political supporters of the late Shah, that no Bahá’í was persecuted in Iran because of his religion and that those who had been executed or imprisoned had been involved in espionage ‘and other activities contrary to the higher interests of the Islamic Republic of Irén’.
In the first of its two statements at the Commission, the Bahá’í International Community quoted numerous examples of recent actions taken by the Iranian authorities against the Bahá’í’s, both individually and as a community, which clearly demonstrated the purely religious nature of the persecution. In its second statement, the Bahá’í International
‘ UN document E/CN.4/1517 of 31 December 1981.
421
Community comprehensively rebutted the false allegations made by the representative of Iran, explaining that these charges had been fabricated by the Iranian authorities in order to justify their anti-Bahá’í’ activities and to conceal the fact that the persecution was motivated solely by primitive religious prejudice. In both its statements the Bahá’í International Community emphasized that the goal of the campaign of persecution was to eradicate the Bahá’í community and obliterate all traces of the Bahá’í Faith in the land of its birth.
A resolution, sponsored by} nine governments and supported by delegations from Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, Australia and the Pacific, was adopted by the Commission on 11 March 1982. This resolution, which firmly established Iran on the human rights agenda of the United Nations, called upon UN Secretary—General Javier Perez de Cuellar to establish direct contacts with the Iranian government on the human rights situation prevailing in Iran, to ‘continue his efforts to endeavour to ensure that the Bahá’ís are guaranteed full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms’ and to submit a report to the Commission at its 39th session.2
Following the Commission, Gerald Knight, alternate representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations in New York, and Giovanni Ballerio, representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations in Geneva, visited Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. In each country they met with government officials, spoke at public meetings and participated in press conferences which resulted in unprecedented coverage by the Scandinavian press, radio and television services not only of the persecutions in Iran but also of the Bahá’í Faith itself. Mr. Knight was subsequently interviewed by the press and radio in Iceland and by BBC television in the United Kingdom.
The genocidal nature of the _ campaign against the Bahá’í community in Iran was by now widely recognized and Gerald Knight was one of the three speakers invited to address a Symposium on Genocide held in London on 20 March 1982. The symposium was organized
2 Commission on Human Rights resolution 1982/27.
[Page 422]
422
by an ad hoc coalition of non-governmental organizations under the leadership of Professor Leo Kuyper, an international expert on genocide. In his presentation, Mr. Knight highlighted the genocidal features of the Iranian government’s campaign against the Bahá’ís and, at the request of the organizers of the symposium, put forward his views and recommendations on the proposed establishment of a new international human rights agency dealing specifically with cases of genocide.
At the spring 1982 session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, a number of governments expressed their continuing concern at the deteriorating situation of the Bahá’ís in Tran. On 17 July 1982, seventeen governments—the ten member states of the European Community, together with Australia, Austria, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland—made a joint démarche to the Iranian government in Tihran, protesting its treatment of the Bahá’ís. Later in the same year, on 27 December 1982, all the above governments save Finland made a further joint démarche to the Iranian government, once again calling for justice and fair treatment for the Bahá’í community.
Concern for the Bahá’ís was also voiced by members of the United Nations Human Rights Committee—a body of eighteen independent experts—when, at its 16th session in Geneva in July 1982, it reviewed with representatives of the government of Train the progress being made in Train in implementing the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee had at its disposal a copy of the Iranian Constitution and also documentation from the Bahá’í International Community'concerning the persecution of the Bahá’í minority. It was evident to the members of the Committee that both the constitutional law of him and the day-to-day practices of the Iranian authorities fell far short of the standards set out in the Covenant and many members expressed their unease at the ambivalence of those provisions of the Constitution which purported to protect fundamental human rights, particularly those which concerned the rights of non-Muslim citizens. Responding to the Committee’s comments, the leader of the Iranian delegation, Ayatollah Siyyid Hadi Khosroshahi, decried
THE BAHA
’1’ WORLD
the fact that many Committee members had raised specific questions concerning the Bahá’ís. He gave no direct answers to the searching questions posed by the Committee but simply asserted that a relatively small number of Bahá’ís had been executed in Train and that their executions had nothing to do with their religious beliefs.
At the 37th session of the United Nations General Assembly, from September to December 1982, many governments expressed their grave anxiety over the human rights situation in Tran and referred specifically to the religious persecution of the Bahá’ís. The Iranian delegation responded with anger, charging that these governments were motivated by political rather than humanitarian considerations and declaring that the government of him had no intention of changing its domestic policies.
On 23 November 1982 the Iranian delegation circulated to representatives to the Third Committee (the Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs Committee) of the 37th General Assembly a document entitled Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran—A Review of the Facts. Section 2 Of the document, headed ‘Religious Persecution?’, was devoted exclusively to an attack on the Bahá’í Faith and its followers. The document denied that Bahá’ís were being persecuted in iran because of their religious beliefs, charged that the Bahá’í Faith was a political entity ‘created and nourished by anti-Islamic and colonial powers’, claimed that the Bahá’ís had established ‘a very sophisticated and systematic espionage network’ and alleged that the followers of the Bahá’í Faith worldwide were engaged in spying for various governments and in financially supporting Zionism.
The Bahá’í International Community immediately prepared and circulated to representatives to the Third Committee a written statement rebutting the false charges contained in the Iranian document and calling for the appointment of an impartial body of enquiry to investigate the entire situation. Copies of the rebuttal statement, together with relevant extracts from the Iranian document, were also sent to the Ambassadors of all 157 member governments of the United Nations. This was the first occasion on which the Bahá’í International Community had felt
[Page 423]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I’ ACTIVITIES
it appropriate to communicate with every UN Ambassador concerning the situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran, and this unprecedented step was taken solely as a result of the Iranian government’s action in propagating its outrageous charges at the highest international forum.
The Bahá’í International Community’s rebuttal statement was subsequently circulated as an official document of the United Nations at the 39th session of the Commission on Human Rights at its January/March 1983 meeting in Geneva. It was contained in a comprehensive report prepared by the SecretaryGeneral on the human rights situation in Iran. This lengthy report—prepared pursuant to the Commission’s resolution of 11 March 1982-contained extensive references to the persecution of the Bahá’ís, based on information provided by the Bahá’í International Community and a number of concerned nongovernmental organizations, such as Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists. The report also contained information submitted to the SecretaryGeneral by the Iranian government, including the text of the document circulated by Iran at the 37th General Assembly.1
In a separate document circulated at the Commission, the Secretary-General reported on the direct contacts he had established with the Iranian government concerning the general human rights situation prevailing in Iran. Paragraph 3 of that report read as follows:
‘During the past year, the Secretary-General discussed reports of human rights violations with the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Among the related topics, the Secretary-General referred to reports of the persecution and, in some cases, summary execution of members of the Bahá’í religious community. In this connection, Ambassador Rajai Khorassani said that nobody was persecuted in Iran because of his religious beliefs and that, in his Government’s view, the Bahá’ís were not a religious group but, rather, a political movement aimed at creating division among the people of Iran.”2
The Bahá’í International Community made three statements at the Commission concerning the situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran. The
1 UN document E/CN.4/1983/19 of 22 February 1983. 2 UN document E/CN‘4/1983/52‘Of 22 February 1983.
423
first statement, under the agenda item dealing with enforced or involuntary disappearances, drew the attention of the Commission to the fact that fourteen prominent Bahá’ís, and also two abducted Bahá’í schoolgirls, were still missing in Iran. The statement included an urgent request to the Commission to appeal to the Iranian government to commute the death sentences recently passed on twentytwo Bahá’ís by the revolutionary court of Shíráz. This request was repeated in the Bahá’í International Community’s second statement, which also emphasized the fact that Bahá’í’s were being condemned to death solely on the grounds of their religion.
Responding to the second statement, the delegation of Iran denied any religious persecution of Bahá’ís and charged that the Bahá’í International Community’s sole purpose in attending the Commission was to launch ‘baseless propaganda’ against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian representative also claimed (inaccurately) that the Bahá’í International Community had made no contribution whatsoever to the work of the Commission.
The human rights situation in Iran was a major focus of attention at the Commission and the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Togo, the United Kingdom and the United States specifically expressed their con ”1
cern for the Baha IS. A number of delegations
included in their statements appeals to the
Iranian government to spare the lives of the Bahá’ís condemned to death in Shl’raz.
In its third and major statement at the Commission, the Bahá’í International Community pointed out that the government of Iran was no longer attempting to deny its harsh treatment of the Bahá’ís but was, instead, seeking to justify it and also to deprive it of any religious significance. The barrage of false charges levelled against the Bahá’ís by the government of Iran was nothing more than a smokescreen designed to conceal the true reason for the persecution of the Bahá’í community—the true reason being that the fundamentalist religious leaders in Iran were not prepared to tolerate the existence of any religion that appeared after Islam. The Bahá’í International Community statement
[Page 424]
424
went on to cite various compelling proofs that the persecution was motivated solely by religious prejudice and to rebut the baseless allegations made by the Iranian government against the Bahá’ís. It concluded by pointing out that the Iranian representative‘s claim that the Bahá’í International Community made no contribution to the work of the Commission was yet one more instance of an Iranian spokesman making baseless allegations against the Bahá’ís. The Bahá’í International Community had already made statements at the current session of the Commission concerning the Elimination of Racism, the Right to Development, and the Problem of Discrimination against Indigenous Peoples. It had presented a written statement on the Rights of the Child and had submitted two sets of draft articles to the Working Group responsible for drawing up a Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Bahá’í International Community had been contributing actively and positively to the work of the United Nations in the social, cultural, economic and humanitarian fields for over thirty years. The presence of Bahá’í representatives at the Commission on Human Rights was therefore neither unprecedented nor sinister.
Dlsregarding these comments, the representative of iran once again attempted to convince delegates that the Bahá’í International Community had never contributed to the work of the Commission and was using it solely as a forum for launching ‘groundless allegations’ against the government of lrén. He claimed that those governments who had expressed their concern for the Bahá’ís in lran were motivated by purely political considerations.
Shortly before the Commission, the Iranian government had indicated that it would be willng for a representative of the UN SecretaryGeneral to visit him for the purpose of investigating the human rights situation there. This offer was confirmed on 31 January 1983 (the date on which the Commission began its 39th session) and the visit was scheduled to take place during the latter half of March (shortly after the Commission ended). The offer was widely regarded as a device whereby the government of Train hoped to persuade the Commission on Human Rights that it was not necessary for it to' take action at its 39th
’I‘HE BAHA’
1’ WORLD
session on the human rights situation in lrén. If the Commission failed to adopt a resolution on Tran, the Secretary-General would no longer have a mandate to act on human rights violations in Iran and would be totally dependent on the goodwill of the Iranian authon'ties. The Commission, however, failed to react as the Iranian government had hoped and a resolution was duly drafted. During the debate on the resolution, the representative of lran threatened that its adoption would lead to the cancellation of the offer for a representative Of the Secretary-General to visit 1min. This threat made no impression on the Commission and the resolution was adopted on 8 March 1983.
The resolution, supported by delegations from Africa, Asia, Central and North America and Europe, expressed the Commission’s ‘profound concern’ at the continuing grave violations of human rights in iran, including the religious persecution of the Bahá’ís, urged the government of fran to guarantee to all its citizens the rights recognized in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and requested the Secretary-General to ‘continue direct contacts with the government of the Islamic Republic of him on the grave human rights situation prevailing in that country, including the situation of the Bahá’ís’.l
Responding to appeals on behalf of the Bahá’ís in Shíráz, the European Parliament, on 10 March 1983, adopted a resolution which called upon the government of him to suspend the death sentences of the twenty—two condemned Bahá’ís and requested the foreign ministers of the ten member states of the European Community to make urgent representations to the Iranian government ‘in order to secure the release of these members of the Bahá’í religious community and a halt to all manner of persecution and discrimination to which the Bahá’í minority in lran is subject’.2
The plight of the Bahá’ís in train was next considered by the United‘Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), a body of eighteen independent
' Commission on Human_Rights resolution 1983/34.
3 Resolution not numbered. Text appears in the Official Journal of the European Communities, Volume 26, reference C 96.
[Page 425]
INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHAHI’ ACTIVITIES
experts charged with monitoring the progress made by States parties in complying with the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The involvement of CERD in the Bahá’í case arose from the fact that the Iranian'government, in its periodic report to the Committee, had claimed that the only minorities in lran were religious rather than racial and were all fully protected under the Constitution, and that the Bahá’í International Community—aware of this misstatement—had submitted to CERD a written report describing the true situation of the Bahá’í minority in him. In the course of their 18 March 1983 dialogue with representatives of the government of Train, the members of the Committee posed repeated questions concerning the treatment of the Bahá’ís. After unsuccessfully challenging the Committee’s competence to consider questions related to religion, the Iranian spokesman flatly denied that Bahá’í’s were being persecuted in lrén because of their religious beliefs and asserted that the Bahá’í Faith was a subversive political
425
organization. These and other misstatements by the Iranian representative were duly corrected in a memorandum subsequently circulated by the Bahá’í International Community to the members of CERD.
By Riḍván 1983, then, the persecution of the Bahá’ís in lran was firmly established on the human rights agenda of the United Nations. The Secretary—General and his senior human rights officials were actively involved in efforts to persuade the Iranian government to halt the persecution. Governments in every continent of the world had made the Iranian government aware of their abhorrence of its policies and of their profound concern for the Bahá’ís. The false and malicious charges made by the government of lran against the Bahá’í Faith and its followers had been rejected out of hand by every human rights organ that had examined them.The persecution of the Bahá’í Faith in the land of its birth was by now recognized throughout the globe as constituting the most blatant example of religious intolerance in the contemporary world.
‘
a
Senior Iranian military officers are seen attacking the Bahá’í National Centre, Tihran; I 955.
