Bahá’í World/Volume 19/Bahá’í Faith and the United Nations
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III
THE Bahá’í FAITH AND THE UNITED NATIONS
1. SUMMARY OF THE YEARS 1947~1983
THE relationship of the world Bahá’í community to the United Nations began in 1948, when the eight National Spiritual Assemblies then existing were recognized collectively by the United Nations Office of Public Information (OPI) as an international non-governmental organization under the name Bahá’í International Community. An official Bahá’í—United Nations 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-United Nations cooperation—and a major one—took place in 1970, when the Bahá’í International Community was granted consultative status, category II, 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 Program (UNEP). Then, in 1976 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—United Nations cooperation allowed many opportunities for sharing the Bahá’í perspective, both through participation in numerous non-governmental conferences, and through the presentation of several important statements.
One of the most important contributions took place in 1947, when the United Nations Special Palestine Committee addressed a letter to Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, Guardian 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 United Nations Conference for Revision of the United Nations 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 program 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 United Nations, 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 to fifty-six Heads of States, through their Permanent Representatives to the United Nations.
The Second Period: 1970—1979 These years witnessed a noticeable increase in the range and depth of Bahá’í-United Nations
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cooperation, as the Bahá’í International Community began the steady growth of its consultative relationship with ECOSOC and with UNICEF, and its association with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), while continuing its close cooperation with the United Nations Office—later Department—Of Public Information.
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 United Nations bodies concerned with issues of aging, children, crime prevention, disabled persons, disarmament, energy—new and renewable sources—environment, exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, the family, human rights, human settlements, law of the sea, narcotic drugs, population, science and technology, social development, status of women, the United Nations University, world food, and youth, 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 activities.
When the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, in charge of fostering the United Nations relationship with NGOs in the social and economic field, reviewed the work of NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC during the years 1973—77, 1978—81, the Bahá’í International Community report, showing an impressive number of activities recording warm cooperation with the United Nations, were approved without questions.
Most gratifying during this period was the increased participation of national Bahá’í communities, through their National Spiritual Assemblies, United Nations representatives and committees, in fostering the ties of the Bahá’í world with the United Nations. They not only organized national and local Bahá’íUnited Nations activities, but also provided the service of knowledgeable Bahá’ís in preparing statements and brochures examining the application of Bahá’í teachings t0 the solution of
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specific world issues, and in representing the Bahá’í International Community at conferences. In addition, National Spiritual Assemblies in countries Where United Nations conferences or meetings took place, made a valuable contribution to successful Bahá’í participation, furnishing clear evidence that each Bahá’í community did, in fact, share in the consultative relationship of the Bahá’í International Community with ECOSOC and UNICEF.
The Bahá’í International Community worked closely, through its United Nations representative, with United Nations offices and officials at United Nations headquarters in New York, as well as in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi; and, through representatives from its member Bahá’í communities with United Nations 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 Missions to the United Nations and the United Nations Secretariat, to assist in the recognition of the Faith and the protection of Bahá’í communities. Here again, a growing understanding of the Bahá’í International Community, its non—partisan political nature, as well as its constructive contributions to the work of the United Nations resulting from its consultative status, made access to key United Nations officials easier when a clear presentation of the Bahá’í position was needed. This became especially important from 1981 on, since access to the United Nations human rights organs—the Human Rights Commission and the Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities“became crucial in bringing the persecution of the Bahá’í community of Iran to the attention of the governments of the world, and curbing, to some extent, this flagrant case of religious discrimination.
It became clear during these years that, as government delegates and United Nations personnel increasingly witnessed the Bahá’í presence, through extensive Bahá’í representation and a variety of written and oral statementsmany of the written ones circulated as United Nations documents—they were becoming aware of a worldwide Bahá’í community committed to the spiritual and moral Vision of the unity of mankind.
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2. THE Bahá’í INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED NATIONS 1983—1986
VICTOR DE ARAUJO
1. OVERVIEW
BAHA’T cooperation with the United Nations continued to expand in the period 1983 to 1986 in all major areas of United Nations work, as the Bahá’í International Community found frequent and rich opportunities to share the Bahá’í perspective on world peace, universal human rights, and the full social and economic development of all people—goals sought by the United Nations in its Charter.
This greater breadth and intensity of Bahá’í collaboration, which further strengthened the ties between the Bahá’í International Community and the United Nations, was made possible through three developments in the Bahá’í world: the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Train; the emergence of the Faith from obscurity as a result of that persecution and of the worldwide expansion of Bahá’í communities; and the beginning of social and economic development projects as an integral part of Bahá’í activity.
The Bahá’í International Community continued to broaden its relationship with the United Nations beyond New York, Geneva, and Vienna. In 1985 it formalized its representation with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS), both headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It also was completing arrangements to include representations at the United Nations regional headquarters (the Regional Economic Commissions) in Africa (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok, Thailand), and Latin America and the Caribbean (Santiago, Chile). In addition, it increased contacts with several of the UN specialized bodies and agencies, including the World Food Council (WFC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
As for international bodies outside of the United Nations system, the Bahá’í International Community further strengthened its already close working relationship with the South Pacific Commission (SPC), an inter-governmental organization promoting the social and economic development of the countries of the Pacific region, with which it has a representation. It was also involved during this period in sessions of the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, regarding the situation of the Bahá’ís in Tran.
An important ongoing facet of Bahá’í-United Nations work was the Bahá’í participation in United Nations and United Nations-related conferences, seminars, and meetings covering issues in the broad areas of international peace and disarmament, social and economic development, and human rights. The Bahá’í International Community provided, as usual, appropriate Bahá’í representation, preparing and presenting pertinent written and/or oral statements contributing the Bahá’í View on the subject under discussion. Personal contacts with government and United Nations officials were, in this way, further extended.
The Bahá’í International Community continued during this period to associate and cooperate with non-governmental organizations at the United Nations, mainly through active membership in many NGO/United Nations committees in New York, Geneva, Vienna, and
Santiago, participation in numerous NGO con ferences and meetings, and in the co-sponsorship of statements for various United Nations conferences and meetings.
In 1985, the Bahá’í International Community was elected Vice-President of the Executive Board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (CONGO), an umbrella organization representing, as the title indicates, those organizations granted consultative privilege in accordance with article 71 of the United Nations Charter. It was also
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represented on the Board of the NGO Committee on Development (New York). During this period, representatives of the Bahá’í International Community served, as NGO committee officers, in the following capacities: At the United Nations in New York: Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, Chairman of the NGO Committee on UNICEF, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the United Nations Decade for Women, Vice-Chairman. and Secretary of the Youth Committee, Vice—Chairman Of the Department of Public Information/NGO Executive Committee, and Treasurer of the committee on Human Settlements; At the United Nations in Geneva: Secretary of the SubCommittee on Women; At the United Nations in Vienna (Vienna In ternational Centre); Chairman of the Youth Committee.
The Bahá’í-United Nations operations have always relied on Wide and growing contacts With Continental Boards of Counsellors, National Spiritual Assemblies, and individual Bahá’ís With relevant professional backgrounds. In its participation in United Nations conferences, the Bahá’í International Community depended even more during this period on the goodwill
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and knowledge of these institutions and individuals in providing the assistance needed in drafting statements, lending expertise, and representing the Bahá’í International Community. In this process, closer links were also established with the Association for Bahá’í Studies, to locate Bahá’í professionals in various fields of specialization.
The Bahá’í International Community continued to encourage National Spiritual Assemblies, through exchange of information by correspondence and through personal Visits and consultations, to establish and foster relationships with United Nations offices in their countries, sponsoring or co-sponsoring activities in observance of United Nations days, years, and other events, both to make better known United Nations aims and programs, as well as to share Bahá’í belief and action towards solving world issues and bringing about global peace and world order. The resulting reports of such constantly increasing Bahá’í-United Nations activities, at national and local levels, were, as in the past, brought to the attention of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), the ECOSOC NGO Liaison
Bahá’í International Community representatives to the United Nations in New York in 1985. Left to right: Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Dr. Paul 0jermark, Mr. Gerald Knight.
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office, and other appropriate United Nations sections.
The growth and diversification of the United Nations operations of the Bahá’í International Community from 1983 to 1986 brought about structural changes and increase in personnel to meet the new challenges and opportunities. The activities of the Geneva office, for instance, initially focussed on the area of human rights, expanded to include the other major areas of United Nations work. Particularly important during this period was the collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), regarding assistance for the Iranian Bahá’í refugees. The New York office, in turn, established a new section on social and economic development, to strengthen the Bahá’í relationship to the United Nations in tune with the widening scope of Bahá’í individual and community activity. By Riḍván of 1986, the number of persons engaged in the work of the Bahá’í International Community United Nations offices in New York and Geneva had grown to about 20 full-time stafi". In addition, an increasing number of volunteers, on an ongoing or temporary basis, played a valuable role worldwide in this expanding relationship of the Bahá’í International Community with the United Nations.
11. PEACE AND DISARMAMENT
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 United Nations Charter, the Bahá’í International Community provided the IYP Secretariat with detailed information on the Bahá’í teachings and principles regarding peace, as well as the efforts of the Bahá’í world community for over one hundred years to achieve this goal. It further assured the United Nations ofl‘ice of the wholehearted Bahá’í participation in IYP, an extensive and enthusiastic cooperation already quite evident in the activities planned by Bahá’í communities worldwide—several already begun or undertaken by Riḍván 1986. The Bahá’í International Community had already participated in all four United Nations regional seminars held during 1985 in preparation for IYP, presenting comprehensive statements on the three seminar topics of ‘Preparation for Life in Peace’, ‘Peace
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and Disarmament’, and ‘Peace and Development’.
Shortly after the launching of IYP—which occurred on United Nations Day, 24 October 1985, the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations—the Bahá’í International Community was able to present The Promise of World Peace to the Secretary—General of the United Nations, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar. On 22 November this major Bahá’í document in the cause of peace was presented on behalf of the Universal House of Justice by Amatu’l-Bahá Rflhiyyih Khánum accompanied by Dr. Victor de Araujo and Mr. Gerald Knight, two of the Bahá’í International Community representatives.
During her Visit to the United Nations, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih _K__hanum hosted a number of luncheons for United Nations diplomats and United Nations Secretariat officials. A special luncheon for the press was very well attended and resulted in extensive press coverage of the General Assembly’s consideration of the situation in Tran and, in particular, of the perseeution of the Bahá’ís.
Following the meeting with the SecretaryGeneral, the Bahá’í International Community began presentation of The Promise of World Peace to the highest level of officials working with the United Nations, such as Permanent Representatives of United Nations member nations, United Nations Under-SecretariesGeneral and Assistant~Secretaries-General, Heads of Departments within the United Nations Secretariat and Directors or Principal officers of United Nations specialized agencies, as well as to NGO United Nations representatives. The Bahá’í International Community United Nations office in New York also undertook the presentation, through United Nations Missions, of copies of The Promise of World Peace to Heads of State of fifty-six countries where it was not appropriate or possible to make the presentation directly.
III. SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS ‘
Social and Economic Development
Since most of the work and financial resources of the United Nations system are devoted to supporting development in Third World countries, the growing involvement of
The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l—Bahd Rdhz’yyih Lhdnum hosting a luncheon in New York
in November 1985 attended by Ambassador D.H. Alleyne ofTrinz'dad and T obago, left, and Ambassador HS. Moseley of Barbados.
Bahá’í communities during this period in social and economic development as a regular part of their activities made it possible for the Bahá’í International Community to develop existing relationships—and create new ones—with the many United Nations organizations active in development. The Bahá’í United Nations representatien was able, therefore, to share Bahá’í development concepts, inform aboutthe rapidly growing Bahá’í activities, and achieve concrete collaboration. To this end, the Bahá’í International Community began, as mentioned earlier, to appoint representatives With the United Nations Regional Commissions and other United Nations organizations, at the geographically scattered headquarters of those United Nations bodies.
The Bahá’í International Community participated in an increasing number of conferences, dealing with such subjects as international economic relations, general and rural development, community and social development, food and agriculture, health and nutrition, the environment, human settlements, science and technology, forestry, and population. The Bahá’í statements presented have
included references to the Bahá’í perspective on development, Bahá’í experiences in the field, and specific projects. The Bahá’í International Community was also invited to contribute its Views to the formulation of development policy of United Nations and related organizations. Statements of this kind were provided to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNEP, and the World Commission on Environment and Development.
The Bahá’í International Community gave guidance and support to National Spiritual Assemblies, Bahá’í communities, and individual Bahá’ís—through direct consultation, participation in conferences and through correspondence—regarding social and economic development, in particular relating to contacts and collaboration with United Nations agencies and projects. It made proposals for Bahá’í collaboration with United Nations and other international development organizations and provided assistance in drafting project documents. In some cases such collaboration commenced, as in the case of the nutrition program of the South Pacific Commission, for which the Bahá’í International Community arranged for
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training support from Bahá’í volunteer experts, and co-sponsored a nutrition poster used throughout the Pacific region.
The Bahá’í International Community provided emergency and disaster relief assistance to several countries—Swaziland, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, and Colombia—either directly to their governments or through United Nations organizations.
The Bahá’í International Community participated in the work of the NGO development committees, particularly in the efforts to strengthen the contribution of N GOs to United Nations development strategies, and in facilitating concrete development collaboration with such United Nations organizations as UNICEF and UNDP. In the efforts to foster Bahá’í collaboration with the United Nations system in social and economic development activities, priority has been given to projects that are designed to especially benefit disadvantaged women, children and youth.
Contacts with UNICEF in this regard have been particularly fruitful. Collaboration has
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taken place in several instances as UNICEF has become aware of the extent of Bahá’í activities on behalf of children. One example was the drafting of the brochure Working T ogether for Children, which was a cooperative effort between UNICEF and the Bahá’í International Community, under the sponsorship of the NGO Field Level Relations Committee. The brochure was initially distributed at the UNICEF Board session in 1986, and at parallel NGO activities. It was subsequently disseminated through UNICEF offices and NGOs in developin g countries in the three major United Nations languages.
In the work with UNICEF it was also possible to refer to the increasing Bahá’í cooperation at the national and local levels. Conspicuous examples of this have occurred in Bolivia where Radio Bahá’í Caracollo is assisting UNICEF in carrying out its child health revolution program, and in Uganda, where there have been several cooperative ventures, including the production of educational materials, immunization activities, and Village development.
Bahá’ís welcomed by the Deputy Secretary-General of the Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to a meeting, held in T okyo, Japan, March 1984, in preparation for
the World Women’s Conference. Left to right: Mrs. Kimiko Schwerin, Representative; Mrs. Chiyo
Suzuki, Observer; Mrs. Mahin Moghbel, Deputy Representative; Mrs. Marife Y azdani and Miss Yoko Ishihara, Observers.
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Women
A significant expansion has taken place during this period in the Bahá’í involvement in the advancement of women. In July 1985, the Bahá’í International Community sent a delegation of ten to the World Conference on the Decade for Women in Nairobi, Kenya, where it presented a report on the advancement of the status of women in the Bahá’í world community during the Decade (1976—1985). This report was based on the responses of 77 National Spiritual Assemblies to a questionnaire on women’s activities and progress during this period, and the obstacles still to be overcome. This document became part of the official background documentation for the Conference. Forum ’85, the parallel NGO meeting held in Nairobi, attracted over fifty Bahá’í women from different parts of the world. Bahá’í International Community participation in the Forum activities was planned with the assistance of the Continental Office of the Board of Counsellors for Africa, and the National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya. An outstanding Bahá’í exhibit on women and development was shown at the Forum, and a Bahá’í participant conducted a workshop on managerial skills for women. Individual Bahá’ís attending the Forum engaged in dialogue with women from every part of the world, sharing with them Bahá’í Views on issues related to the development of women.
In addition, the Bahá’í International Community was represented at numerous United Nations and United Nations-related meetings on women. These included preparatory meetings for the World Conference, sponsored by the United Nations Regional Economic Commissions; regular and special sessions of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women; meetings of expert groups, and seminars and conferences sponsored by NGOs. Many Bahá’ís—4—in particular Bahá’í womenwere given an opportunity to represent the Bahá’í International Community at these meetings, establishing, in the process, cordial relationships with individuals distinguished for their work to advance women.
Youth
In preparation for the International Youth Year (1985), proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1979, the Bahá’í International Community took part in the ses sions of the IYY Advisory Committee, created to formulate a specific programme of measures and activities prior to and during IYY, established a close relationship with the United Nations Secretariat for IYY at the Vienna International Centre. It also played an active role as a member of the NGO Committees on Youth, in New York and in Vienna; and participated in the deliberations of the Sub-Committees on IYY, the IYY Tree Project, Street Youth, and the NGO Intergenerational Committee on Aging and Youth, all in New York.
In 1985 the Bahá’í International Community
sent a delegation to the IYY International ‘
Youth Conference in Kingston, Jamaica, where it stressed, through a statement widely circulated, the major contribution that youth can make towards achieving world peace. It also took part in a Latin American/Caribbean regional meeting for IYY. Finally, in November 1985, Bahá’í International Community United Nations representatives made a major contribution to the planning and success of an IYY NGO Conference held at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Both prior to and during IYY, the Bahá’í International Community provided information’ and materials for IYY activities to Bahá’í communities around the world. It encouraged the participation of Bahá’í communities on National IYY Commissions, and provided guidance and suggestions to assist Bahá’í youth in undertakings that would contribute to the goals of IYY. When the Year was over, the Bahá’í United Nations office prepared a comprehensive report, for the United Nations and the Bahá’í world, on the outstanding creative activities carried out by Bahá’í youth worldwide.
Children
In addition to its activities with UNICEF in the area of social and economic development (see earlier section), the Bahá’í International Community continued to take part in the annual sessions of the UNICEF Executive Board, submitting statements on pertinent issues in 1984 and 1985—~the first offerng the Bahá’í perspective on the education of children, the second on the education and general development of women.
The Bahá’í International Community also participated in the 1986 UNICEF Executive
Balid’z' International Community representative Miss Alma Alzola speaking during the Latin American/Caribbean Regional Meeting for International Year of Youth held in M ontevideo, Uruguay, in August 1985.
Board session, during which a Bahá’í exhibit on ‘Educating Children for Peace’ was displayed in the lobby of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as part of a UNICEF/NGO display of cooperation entitled ‘Working Together for Children’.
During this period the Bahá’í International Community joined with other non-governmental organizations in taking part in activities concerning the disabled child, NGO/UNICEF field level relations, and the development of women. A Bahá’í International Community representative also served on the Executive Board of the NGO Committee on UNICEF, as well as on the Editorial Board of the UNICEF/NGO publication NGO Forum and its successor Action for Children.
Other Social Aflairs
During this period the Bahá’í International Community continued its involvement in United Nations activities dealing with problems of crime prevention and drug abuse. It took part in the 1985 Congress on Crime Prevention and the Treatment of Offenders, conveying the Bahá’í View, while continuing its collaboration with the United Nations Branch on Crime Pre vention and Criminal Justice. Likewise, while working closely with the United Nations Division Of Narcotic Drugs, and contributing its suggestions to a report on an international campaign against traffic in drugs, it took part in the yearly sessions of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, expressing whenever possible the Bahá’í perspective on the spiritual impetus needed to prevent drug abuse.
The Bahá’í International Community continued to monitor developments relating to implementation of the Plan of Action on Aging, approved by the World Assembly on Aging (1982), in which it had taken part. Likewise, it continued to express its commitment to the program of action to improve the conditions of the disabled, and welcomed further opportunities for Bahá’í cooperation worldwide during the United Nations Decade for Disabled Persons (1983—1992). In addition, as the United Nations began to express its concern for the well-being of the family in contemporary society, the Bahá’í International Community established a close relationship with the responsible United Nations unit, and took part in a United Nations Inter-regional Seminar in Moscow on ‘Changing Families’.
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IV. HUMAN RIGHTS
Persecution of the Bahd’z's in Train
The Bahá’í International Community continued its efforts, and coordinated the efforts of National Spiritual Assemblies worldwide, to alleviate the plight of the persecuted Bahá’í community in Train. The member states of the United Nations and the European Economic Community, as well as the expert members of specialist United Nations bodies, responded to these efforts in a number of positive ways.
On 7 July 1983, the European Parliament adopted a resolution ‘repudiating the claim by the Government of Train that the Bahá’ís are a political party’, expressin g ‘consternation’ at the executions of six Bahá’í men and ten Bahá’í women in Shíráz the previous month, and describing these executions as ‘the product of unspeakable fanaticism’. (This was the European Parliament’s fourth resolution concerning the plight of the Bahá’í community in Tran.) In November 1985, the European Parliament conducted public hearings on the human rights situation in Tran, at which Bahá’í witnesses gave moving testimony concerning the persecutions they themselves had suffered.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights and its Sub—Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities adopted resolutions concerning the situation in Tran at each of their annual meetings. All these resolutions contained specific references to the situation of the Bahá’í minority.
At its 1984 session, the Commission on Human Rights decided to appoint a special representative to study and report on the human rights situation in Train. The following year, the Commission adopted a resolution which called for its special representative to present a report on the human rights situation in Tran, ‘including the situation of minority groups such as the Bahá’ís’, to the United Nations General Assembly at its next session. Following the presentation of this report and the debate which followed it, the General Assembly, on 13 December 1985, adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Tran Which contained specific references to the Bahá’ís. This was an historic development in the recognition of the Faith and in the defence of the long—persecuted Bahá’í community in Tranmand an historic moment, too, in the
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annals of the United Nations, since it was the first occasion on which any minority group suffering human rights Violations had been specifically named in a General Assembly resolution.
At its 1986 session, the Commission on Human Rights took up the matter once again when it conducted its annual review of situations representing gross Violations of human rights. It decided to renew the mandate of its special representative on Tran and again asked him to present a report to the General Assembly which, on 4_December 1986, adopted a resolution very similar to the one it had adopted the previous year.
In addition to the adoption of the above resolutions, the efforts of the Bahá’í International Community, in collaboration with National Spiritual Asemblies resulted in, or contributed to: (1) démarches by Governments to the Iranian authorities in Tran; (2) debates in national parliaments; (3) debates at the General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities concerning the plight of the Iranian Bahá’í community; and (4) numerous media reports of the persecutions in Train.
The Bahá’í International Community provided information and made a formal representation to the Commission on Human Rights Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances concerning Bahá’ís who had disappeared in Tran, invoked the intervention of the Commission’s Special Rapporteur on Summary or Arbitrary Executions in cases of Bahá’ís under sentence of death, and submitted evidence to the International Labour Office (ILO) concerning the discriminatory employment practices of the Iranian Government in relation to Bahá’ís. The Bahá’í International Community also made appropriate representations to the members of the Human Rights Committee (the body of experts responsible for monitoring compliance With the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) in connection with the banning of Bahá’í administrative institutions in Train and the torture of Bahá’ís in Iranian prisons.
The Bahá’í International Community published various materials concerning the persecutions in Tran which were distributed at
United Nations meetings and to National Spiri
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tual Assemblies. These included a July 1983 update to The Bahá’ís in Iran: A Report on the Persecution of a Religious M inority, and a booklet entitled Persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran, 1979—1985: A 6— Year Campaign to Eliminate (1 Religious M inority, which was published in September 1985 for use at the fortieth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Refugee activities
The steady flow of Iranian Bahá’í refugees seeking asylum in other countries necessitated the development of contacts and effective relationships with international organs responsible for the resettlement of refugees. Accordingly, in 1984, a Refugee Desk was established at the European Branch Office of the Bahá’í International Community in Geneva. The Refugee Desk worked closely with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Intergovernmental Committee on Migration, and also liaised with the National Spiritual Assemblies of countries which had indicated their willingness to accept Bahá’í refugees. Following the establishment of the International Bahá’í Refugee Office (IBRO) in Toronto, the role of the Bahá’í International Community in refugee activities consisted primarly of liaising with UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva on matters of general refugee policy and dealing with cases specifically referred to it by IBRO.
Problem situations in countries other than h‘dn
As in previous years, the Bahá’í International Community was active in situations where Bahá’í communities were experiencing problems in countries other than Tran. Two major problem situations were those which arose in Egypt and Morocco. United Nations representatives of the Bahá’í International Community met with the United Nations Ambassadors of those countries to discuss the situation and to request them to convey to their governments the Bahá’í International Community’s concerns. Some National Spiritual Assemblies were called upon to approach the Ambassadors of the same countries in their capitals. When these actions failed to produce the necessary results, the Bahá’í International Community coordinated the efforts of a number of National Spiritual Assemblies to enlist the support of
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their governments and seek their intervention with the Egyptian and Moroccan authorities.
The Bahá’í International Community was also involved in efforts to resolve less severe problem situations which arose in a number of other countries.
Contribution to human rights issues
Since 1970, when it obtained consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the Bahá’í International Community has regularly participated in meetings of the Commission on Human Rights (one of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council) and of the Commission’s subsidiary organ, the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. During the Seven Year Plan, the Bahá’í International Community delivered statements at the annual meetings of these bodies on a wide range of human rights issues, including racism; religious intolerance; the right to development; rights of the child, of minorities, of the mentally ill, of indigenous populations and of the disabled; genocide; torture; and the status of the individual in contemporary international law. In addition, the major concerns of the Bahá’í International Communitythe elimination of racism and religious intolerance—found expression respectively in the United Nations Second World Conference to Eliminate Racism and Racial Discrimination, held in 1983, and in the United Nations Seminar on the Encouragement of Understanding, Tolerance and Respect in Matters Relating to Freedom of Religion or Belief, held in 1984. The Bahá’í International Community also participated actively in five other seminars on human rights topics.
Recognition of the Faith
The activities of the Bahá’í International
Community at the United Nations have contributed directly to efforts to gain recognition
for the Faith in a number of countries. These
activities have included contacts with Ambassadors of the relevant countries as well as Visits
by Bahá’í International Community representatives to some of these countries for meetings with high level government officials. It is
often through such interventions—made possible by the respect in which the Bahá’í Inter
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INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT Bahá’í ACTIVITIES 389
national Community is held at the United agenda—that the true nature of the Faith can Nations, because of its constructive con- be conveyed to government officials, thus contribution to the issues on the United Nations tributing to its recognition and protection.
Bahá’í International Community representative Mr. Giovanni Ballerio speaking during the United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Oflenders held in M ilan, Italy in August/September 1985.
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ANNEX 1
r
THE BAHA
9
1 WORLD
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCES, CONGRESSES, SESSIONS AND SEMINARS IN WHICH THE Bahá’í INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
21 November 1983. Rep.: Dr. Agnes Ghaznavi-Fischer.
PARTICIPATED 1983—1986
. 39th session of the Economic and Social Commission 14. African Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Seventh for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP): Bangkok, 19—29 April United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime 1983‘ and the Treatment of Offenders, Addis Ababa, 28 NovRep.: Mr. Mark Starrs. ember—2 December 1983.
. First Regular Session of the United Nations Economic Reps.: Mr. Gila Bahra, Mr. Belete Worku. and Social COUDCfl (ECOSOC), New York, 3—27 May 15. Expert Group MeetingWomen Promoting Peace,Organ1983. ized by the UN Commission for Social Development and RCPSJ Dr. ViCtOY d8 AT&UjO, Mrs. Mary Sawicki. Humanitarian Affairs (CSDHA), Vienna, 5—9 December
. 11th session of the Governing Council of the United 1983.
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),Nairobi, 11— Reps.: Mrs. Joyce Booman, Mrs. Otti Kafer,
29 May 1983. 16. One Day Open Discussion on Channels of ComReps.: MTS- Catherine M’boya, Mf- George Olinga, Mr. munication between the United Nations and Youth, Anthony J . Vodraska, Mr. Charles Mung’onye, Dr. Tim Vienna, 11 January 1984,
Rest, Mrs. Forough Olinga, Dr. Donald Peden, Mr. Rep.: Mr. Klaus Lintschinger,
Bonaventure Wafula. 17. 22nd session of the UN Population Commission, New
. 6th session of the United Nations Commission on Human York, 18—20 January and 23—27 January 1984. Settlements (UNCHS), E31300, Helsinki, Finland, 25 Reps.: Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Mary Sawicki. April—6 May 1983. 18. UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 8th special session, Reps.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Mrs. Laura Jansson, Vienna, 6—10 February 1984,
M12 Henrik Jansson, Mr. Harri Peltola, Mr. Harri Reps.:Mr.K1ausLintschinger, Mrs. Joyce Booman, Mrs. Saajanlehto, Dr. Habib’u’llah Zabihian, Mr. Matti Otti Kafer. Vesamaa. 19. 30th session of the Commission on the Status of Women,
. Sixth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade Vienna, 15_24 February 1984, and Development (UNCTAD V1); Belgrade, 6 June—3 Reps.: Mrs. Otti Kéifer, Mr. Roland Philipp, Mrs. Joyce July 1983. Booman, Mr. Klaus Lintschinger, Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Rep.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Mrs. Machid Fatio.
. 9th Ministerial Session of the World Food Council, New 20‘ UN Commission on the Status of Women acting as York, 27-30 June 1983. Preparatory Body for 1985 World Conference, Vienna, Rep.: Dr. Victor de Araujo. 27 February—7 March 1984.
. Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Reps.: Mrs. Otti Kafer, Mrs. J oyce Booman, Mr. Klaus Discrimination, Geneva, 1—12 August 1983. Lintschinger.
RCPSJ Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, M13 Rebbi Teclemariam, 21. 40th session of the Commission on Human Rights, Mrs. Machid Fatio, Miss Agnes Do Thi Nuang Tam, Geneva, February—March 1984.
MT. Jagdissa Appado, Mrs. JOTUD Hagen, Miss Micheline Reps.: Mr. Gerald Knight, Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Mrs. Belmont. Machid Fatio.
. 36th SCSSiOIl Of the Sub-Commission on Prevention Of 22. UN Committee on Crime Prevention and Control, 8th Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Geneva, session, Vienna, 2130 March 1984,
August 1983. Reps.: Mr. Roland Philipp, Mr. Klaus Lintschinger. RCPSJ MI“ Gerald Knight, Mrs. Margaret Knight, Mr. 23. Economic and SocialCommission for Asia and the Pacific Giovanni Ballerio, Mrs. Machid Fatio. (ESCAP) Regional Intergovernmental Preparatory
. European Regional Meeting dedicated to the Inter— Meeting for the World Conference to Review and national Youth Year: Participation, Development, Peace, Appraise the Achievement of the UN Decade for Women, Costinesti, Romania, 5—9 September 1983. Tokyo, 26—30 March 1984.
R6111 Mrs. Machid Fatio. Reps.: Mrs. Kimiko Schwerin, Mrs. Mahin Moghbel, United Nations Department of Public Information Mrs. Marie Yazdani, Mrs. Chiyo Suzuki, MI'S, YQko Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organ- Ishihara.
iZfltioflS: New York, 13—15 September 1933* 24. 20th session of the Economic and Social Commission Reps.: Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Mr. Gerald Knight, Dr. for Asia and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Lima, Peru, 29 Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Betty de Araujo. March—6 Aprfi 1984,
Preparatory Conference for 1984 UN International Reps.: Mr. César A_ Loayza, Mr. Enrique L, Sanchez. Population Conference, Geneva,13—15 September 1983. 25. Advisory Committee for the United Nations InterRCPJ Mr. Giovanni Ballerio. national Youth Year (IYY), 3rd session, Vienna, 2—11 Latin America Regional Preparatory Meeting for the April 1984.
Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Rep.: Mr. Klaus Lintschinger.
Crime and the Treatment Of Offenders, San Jose, Costa 26. 40th session of the Economic and Social Commission Rica, 1<H4 October 1983. for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Tokyo, 17—27 April Rep.: Lic. Rachel] Constante. 1984.
International Seminar on ‘Violence in the Family’, spon- Rep.: Mrs. Kimiko Schwerin, Dr. Toshio Suzuki, sored by the Alliance of NGOS on Crime Prevention and 27. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive CriminalJustice together with the United Nations Centre Board Session, Rome, 24 Aprfl—4 May 1984
for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs Rep.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio.
(Crime Prevention and CriminalJustice Branch);Vienna, 28. First Regular Session of the United Nations Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC), 1—25 May 1984. Reps.: Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Mary Sawicki.
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INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT Bahá’í ACTIVITIES
7th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements (UNCHS), Libreville, Gabon, 30 April—ll May 1984.
Reps.: Mr. George Allen, Mr. Alexandre Mayombo. 12th session on the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, 1629 May 1984.
Reps.: Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, Mr. Peter Vuyiya, Dr. Tim Rost, Mr. Bonaventure Wafula, Dr. Donald Peden, Mrs. Deborah Christensen, Mrs. Catherine M’boya, Mr. Mehraz Ehasni.
37th World Health Assembly, Geneva, 7—18 May 1984. Rep.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio.
10th Ministerial Session of the World Food Council, Addis Ababa, 11—15 June 1984.
Rep.: Mr. Belete Worku.
Non-Governmental Organizations Consultative Meeting on the International Year of Peace, Bucharest, Romania, 3—5 July 1984.
Rep.: Mrs. Hermine Mayer (Berdjis).
Informal Meeting of Organizations Concerned with Family Issues sponsored by the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs; Vienna, 12 J uly 1984.
Reps.: Mr. Roland Philipp, Mr. Klaus Lintschinger. 37th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Geneva, July—August 1984.
Reps.: Mr. Gerald Knight, Mrs. Machid Fatio.
UN International Conference on Population, Mexico City, 6—14 August 1984.
Reps.: ENG. Frank Shessy, Dr. Robert Michael Porter, Dr. Siegfried Grouppe.
United Nations Department of Public Information Annual Conference of Non—Governmental Organizations, New York, 5—7 September 1984.
Reps.: Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Mr. Gerald Knight, Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Betty de Araujo.
United Nations Inter-Regional Seminar on Rural Women, Vienna, 17—18 September 1984.
Reps.: Mrs. Otti Kéifer, Mrs. Joyce Booman. Inter-regional Seminar on ‘Changing Families: Relevant Social Welfare Strategies’, Moscow, 1~13 October 1984. Rep.: Dr. Agnes Ghaznavi Fischer.
Economic Commission for Africa (BCA) Regional Intergovernmental Meeting for Africa in Preparation for the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the UN Decade for Women, Arusha, Tanzania, 8—12 October 1984.
Reps.: Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, Mrs. Catherine M’boya, Mrs. Deborah Christensen.
Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Regional Preparatory meeting for 1985 World Conference, Vienna, 15~19 October 1984.
Reps.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Mrs. Otti Kafer. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Regional Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean in Preparation for the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Havana, 19—23 November 1984. Reps.: Mrs. Carmen de Burafato, Mrs. Theresa MacGregor.
United Nations Seminar on the Encouragement of Understanding, Tolerance and Respect in Matters‘Relating to Freedom of Religion or Belief, Geneva, 3~14 December 1984.
Rep.: Mr. Brian Lepard.
UN Regional Seminar in Preparation for the International Year of Peace, Addis Ababa, 8—11 J anuary 1985. Rep.: Mrs. Alasebu Gebre Selassie.
United‘ Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)
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57.
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391
Board of Trustees Meeting, 5th session, Havana, Cuba, 28 January~1 February 1985.
Rep.: Mrs. Mary Sawicki.
Global Meeting on Environment and Development for Non-Governmental Organizations, Nairobi, 4—8 February 1985.
Reps.: Dr. Donald Peden, Mr. Richard Mandara, Mrs. Deborah Christensen, Mr. Peter Vuyiya, Mrs. Margaret Ogembo.
3lst session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 3lst Session, Vienna, 11~20 February 1985.
Reps.: Mr. Roland Philipp, Mr. Klaus Lintschinger, Mrs. Otti Kafer.
UN Informal Meeting of Organizations concerned with Family Issues, Vienna, 15 February 1985.
Rep.: Mr. Klaus Lintschinger.
23rd session of the UN Population Commission, New York, 19—28 February 1985.
Rep.: Mr. Mark Wentzel.
41st session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, February—March 1985.
Reps.: Mr. Gerald Knight, Mrs. Machid Fatio, Mr. Eric Fienieg.
Regional Seminar for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Preparation for the International Year of Peace, New York, 25-28 February 1985.
Rep.: Dr. Victor de Araujo.
Third Session of the Preparatory Body for the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women, Vienna, 413 March 1985.
Reps.: Mrs. Otti Kéifer, Mrs. Neda Forghani.
413t Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Bangkok, 19—29 March 1985.
Reps.: Dr. John Fozdar, Mrs. Shirley Govindasamy, Dr. Thavil Panalaks, Dr. Mark Starrs.
Advisory Committee for the UN International Youth Year (IYY), 4th session, Vienna, 25 March—4 April 1985. Reps.: Mr. Klaus Lintschinger, Mrs. Neda Forghani. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Board Session, New York, 15~26 April 1985.
Reps.: Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Mr. Paul Ojermark, Mrs. Betty de Araujo.
9th session of the UN Committee on Natural Resources, New York, 8—17 April 1985.
Reps.: Mr. Paul Cjermark, Mr. Mark Wentzel.
40th session of the Economic Commission for Europe, Geneva, 16.27 April 1985.
Rep.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio.
20th session of the Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, 25—29 April 1985.
Reps.: Mrs. Alasebu Gebre Selassie, Mr. Berhane Gila, Mr. Abaineh Merhatsion.
Eighth Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements, (UNCHS), Kingston, Jamaica, 29 April—10 May 1985.
Reps.: Dr. Charles Carnegie, Mrs. Irene Hollar. European Regional Seminar for the International Year of Peace, Vienna, 6—10 May 1985.
Reps.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Mrs. Neda Forghani. First Regular Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), 7 May~20 June 1985. Reps.: Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Mr. Paul Ojermark.
38th World Health Assembly, Geneva, 10—11 May 1985. Reps.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Dr. Mehry Rassekh, Dr. John-Paul Vader, Dr. Manoutchere Bahy.
13th session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, 1424 May 1985.
Rep.: Dr. Donald Peden.
International Year of Peace Seminar for the Asia and
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Pacific and Western Asia Regions, Bangkok, 20—24 May 1985.
Reps.: Mr. Mark Starrs, Mr. Thavil Panalaks, Mrs. Shirley Govindasamy.
4th session of the UN High Level Committee on the Review of Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries, New York, 28—31 May 1985.
Rep.: Miss Shiva Tavana.
7th session of the UN Inter-governmental Committee on Science and Technology for Development, New York, 28 May~—7 June 1985.
Reps.: Mr. Paul Ojermark, Miss Shiva Tavana.
11th Ministerial Session of the World Food Council, Paris, 10—13 June 1985.
Reps.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Mrs. Franeoise Teelemariam.
World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women, Nairobi, 13-26 July 1985.
Reps.: Dr. Magdalene Carney, Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, Mr. Peter Vuyiya, Mrs. Catherine M’boya, Dr. Ethel Martens, Mrs. Shomais Afnan, Mr. Richard Mandara, Dr. Jane Faily.
Sub-Commission: Working Group on Indigenous Population, Geneva, 29 July—2 August 1985.
Rep.: Mrs. Machid Fatio.
38th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Geneva, July—August 1985.
Reps.: Mr. Gerald Knight, Mrs. Machid Fatio.
2nd Latin American/Caribbean Regional Meeting for International Youth Year (IYY), Montevideo, Uruguay, 26—30 August 1985.
Reps.: Miss Alma Alzola, Mr. Hushidar Ettehadolhagh, Miss Raquel Bessonart, Miss Sima Baher.
Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Milan, 26 August—6 September 1985.
Reps.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, Dr. Udo Schaefer. United Nations Department of Public Information Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations, New York, 4—6 September 1985.
Reps.: Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Betty de Araujo, Mr. Gerald Knight, Mrs. Margaret Knight, Mr. Paul Ojermark, Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Mr. Mark Wentzel, Mr. Brian Lepard, Mrs. Kate Weisman, Mrs. Mary Hardy, Mr. Hugh Locke.
Seminar on Community Relations Commission and Their Functions, Geneva, 9—20 September 1985.
Reps.: Mr. James Taylor.
Non—Governmental Committee on Family Issues, Vienna, 4 October 1985.
Rep.: Mrs. Neda Forghani.
THE BAHA
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i WORLD
Third Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on Social Welfare and Social Development, Bangkok, 9-15 October 1985.
Reps.: Dr. Thavil Panalaks, Mrs. Shirley Govindasamy, Dr. Peter Smith.
Inter-governmental Group on the Least Developed Countries, 6th session, Geneva, 30 September~11 October 1985.
Rep.: Mr. Giovanni Ballerio.
International Conference on Families in the Face of Urbanization (Sponsored by the Ministry of Works and Housing, the Government of India; International Union of Family Organisations (IUFO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), New Delhi, India, 2—5 December 1985.
Reps.: Dr. Pattabi Raman, Mrs. Hanju Kim-Farley, Dr. Jagdish Gandhi.
Reconvened Special Session of the Commission on Transnational Corporations, New York, 20—31 January 1986. Reps.: Mr. Paul Ojermark, Mr. Mark Wentzel.
UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 9th Special Session, Vienna, 10—14 February 1986.
Reps.: Mr. Roland Philipp, Mr. Klaus Lintschinger, Mrs. Otti Kéifer.
UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Acting as a Preparatory Body for 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, lst session, Vienna, 17—21 February 1986.
Reps.: Mr. Roland Philipp, Mr. Klaus Lintschinger, Mrs. Otti Kéifer.
42nd Session of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, February—March 1986.
Reps.: Mr. Gerald Knight, Mrs Machid Fatio, Miss Diane Ala’i.
United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, 3lst session, Vienna, 24 February—S March 1986. Rep.: Mrs. Neda Forghani.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Board Session, New York, 14—16 April 1986.
Reps.: Dr. Victor de Araujo, Mrs. Betty de Araujo, Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Mr. Paul Cjermark, Mrs. Melinda Gjermark.
Twenty—First session of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Twelfth meeting of the Conference of Ministers, Yaounde, Republic of Cameroon, 17—21 April, 1986.
Reps.: Mrs. Henriette Epee, Dr. Albert Lincoln, Dr. Dion Ngute, Mr. Eyong Tata.
Twenty-first session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico City, Mexico, 17—25 April 1986.
Reps.: Mr. Siegfried Grouppe, Mrs. Carmen de Burafato, Dr. Michal Porter, Mrs. Maria Jimenez de Porter.
ANNEX 11
OTHER INTERNATIONAL CQNFERENCES, CONGRESSES, SEMINARS AND MEETINGS IN WHICH THE Bahá’í INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATED 1983—1986
1. Planning and Evaluation Committee of the South Pacific
Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, 25~27 May 1983. Rep.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock.
2. 23rd South Pacific Conference, Saipan, 1‘7 October
1983. Rep.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock.
3.
4.
General Congress of the International Catholic Child Bureau, Geneva, 23425 November 1983.
Rep.: Mrs. Machid Fatio.
Meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations of the South Pacific Commission (CRGA) (Formerly the Planning and Evalu
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INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’l ACTIVITIES
ation Committee), Noumea, New Caledonia, 23—25 May 1984.
393
Reps.: Miss Shiva Tavana, Mr. Dalton Nelson, Mrs. Helen Mirkovich de Sanchez.
Rep.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock. 10. Meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Govern . 22nd InternationalConference on SocialWelfareMSocial ments and Administrations of the South Pacific ComWelfare in a World CrisismPerceptions and Responsi- mission (CRGA), Noumea, New Caledonia, 20—24 May bilities, Montreal, Canada, 5—11 August 1984. 1985.
Rep.: Dr. Ethel Martens. Reps.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock, Mr. Timcoi Serevi.
. 24th SOuth Pacific Conference, Noumea, New Caledonia, 11. 18th World Conference of the Society for International 15—19 October 1984. Development, Rome, 1—4 July 1985.
Rep.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock. Rep.: Mr. Paul Ojermark.
. 34th International Congress on Alcoholism and Drug 12. IX World Forestry Congress, Mexico City, 1—11 July Dependence (Sponsored by the International Council on 1985.
Alcohol and Addictions, hosted by the Alberta Alcohol- Reps.: Mrs. Maria Jiminez, Mr. Farshid Ḥakími, Dr. ism and Drug Abuse Commission), Calgary, Alberta, Michael Porter.
Canada, 4—10 August 1985. 13. South Pacific Regional Conference on Effects of Alcohol, Rep.: Dr. A. Ghadirian. sponsored by the South Pacific Commission, Noumea,
. South Pacific Commission Regional Seminar on Women New Caledonia, 9—13 September 1985. in Development, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 18~33 March Rep.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock.
1985. 14. 25th South Pacific Conference, Honiara, Solomon Reps.: Mrs, Tinai Hancock, Mrs. Nga Makirere. Islands, 30 September—4 October 1985.
. International Youth Conference for the United Nations Reps.: Mrs. Tinai Hancock, Mr. Timoci Serevi. International Youth Year (IYY), sponsored by the 15. University of the South Pacific’s First International ConGovernment of Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica, 6—9 April ference on Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies, Suva, 1985. Fiji, 30 December 1985.
Rep.: Mr. Jameson Bond. ANNEX III
STATEMENTS, REPORTS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS PRESENTED BY THE BAHA’l INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 1983—1986
. ‘Bahá’í Activities in Rural Development in the South Pacific Region’, paper presented at the South Pacific Commission’s Planning and Evaluation Committee meeting in Noumea, New Caledonia, 25—27 May 1983, and at the 23rd South Pacific Conference in Saipan, l7 October 1983.
. Statement to the Sixth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD VI); Belgrade, 6 June«3 July 1983. (E/F/S).
. Oral statement to the Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination under agenda item 12 (b): Action in the field of education, culture, research and information etc.; Geneva, 5 August 1983.
. Oral statement to the plenary meeting of the Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (Summary of Bahá’í International Community activities undertaken in fulfillment of the goals enumerated in the 1973 Program for the Decade for Action and the Programme for Action adopted at the 1978 World Conference); Geneva, 4 August 1983.
. Oral statement to the Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination under agenda item 11: Main obstacles to the full eradication of racism, racial discrimination and apartheid; Geneva, 5 August 1983.
. Written statement to the Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (Efforts to promote racial unity, the role of education and proposal for a model curriculum on the Oneness of Mankind); Geneva, 1—12 August 1983. (E/F/S).
. Oral statement to the 36th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities under agenda item 6: Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; Geneva, 19 August 1983.
8.
Oral statement to the 36th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on racism, under agenda item 5 (a): Measures to combat racism and racial discrimination and the role of the Sub—Commission; Geneva, 17 August 1983.
. Oral statement to the 36th session of the Sub-Com mission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 15: Elimination of all forms of religious intolerance; Geneva, 24 August 1983.
. ‘The Situation of the Family in a Changing Socio-Econ omic and Cultural Context’, working paper presented to the International Seminar on ‘Violence in the Family’, sponsored by the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice together with the United Nations Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Afiairs (Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch); Vienna, 21 November 1983.
. Written statement to the 40th session of the Commission
on Human Rights under agenda item 13: Question of a Convention on the Rights of the Child (E/CN.4/1984/NGO/2); Geneva, 31 January 1984.
. Oral statement to the 40th session of the Commission
on Human Rights under agenda item 8: Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and cultural rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Geneva, 17 February 1984.
. Oral statement to the 40th session of the Commission
on Human Rights under agenda item 17 (b): Implementation of the Program for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination; Geneva, 15 February 1984. (E/F/S).
. Written statement to the 40th session of the Commission
on Human Rights submitted under agenda item 20: Rights of persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious
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THE Bahá’í WORLD
and linguistic minorities (E/CN.4/1984/ NGO/39); Geneva, 24 February 1984. (E/F/S).
. Written statement to the 30th session of the Commission
on the Status of Women, under agenda item 6: Participation of women in the struggle for the strengthening of International Peace and Security (UN document E/CN.6/ 1984/NGO/1); Vienna, 15 February 1984.
. Oral statement to the 40th session of the Commission
on Human Rights under agenda item 12: Question of the violation ofhuman rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world . . .; Geneva, 8 March 1984. Oral statement to the 40th session of the Commission on Human Rights under agenda item 23: Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief; Geneva, 15 March 1984. (E/F/S). Statement to the ESCAP Regional Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting for the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievement of the UN Decade for Women (Bahá’í View on the regional progress made in the advancement of women’s role and status; the obstacles yet to be overcome toward attainment of the goal of the Decade; and, regional issues, priorities, and action strategies looking to the year 2000); Tokyo, 26~30 March 1984.
Written statement to the 1984 Session of the Executive Board of The United Nations Children’s Fund, under agenda item 3: Policy Review: UNICEF Response to Women’s Concerns; Rome, 24 April-4 May 1984. Written statement submitted to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session of 1984, under agenda item 10: Human Rights (E/1984/NGO/5); New York, 15 May 1984. (E/F/S).
Submission to the UN Centre for Human Rights, in response to the questionnaire prepared by the Special Rapporteur, Mrs. Erica-Irene Daes, in connection with her study on ‘The status of the individual and contemporary international law’; May 1984.
A summary of information submitted pursuant to United Nations Centre for Human Rights letter of 16 December 1983, on activities undertaken or contemplated by the Bahá’í International Community in connection with the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination: April 1984; contained in document E/1984/56/Add.1 of the Economic and Social Council, entitled: ‘Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination: Report of the Secretary—General’; 3 May 1984.
‘Environmental Action at the Grassroots’, statement to the 12th session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Program; Nairobi, Kenya; 1629 May 1984. (E/F).
Oral statement to the 7th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements, under agenda item 6: Activities of IYSH; Libreville, Gabon, 4 May 1984. Statement presented to the United Nations World Food Council, Tenth Ministerial Session; Addis Ababa, 15 June 1984.
‘Bahá’í International Community Contributions to the International Year of Peace’, statement submitted to the NGO Consultative Meeting on the International Year of Peace, Bucharest, 3—5 July 1984.
Oral ‘Statement on Family’ given at the Informal Meeting of Organizations Concerned with Family Issues sponsored by the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs; Vienna, 12 July 1984. ‘Prevention of Drug Abuse: A Bahá’í Perspective’, by AM. Ghadirian,-M.D., presented at the 34th International Congress on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 4~10 August 1985. Oral statement to the 37th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities under agenda item 15(a): The status of
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the individual and contemporary international law; Geneva, 10 August 1984. (E/F/S).
Oral statement to the 37th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 5(a): Measures to combat racism and racial discrimination and the role of the Sub—Commission; Geneva, 14 August 1984. (E/F/S). Written statement to the 37th session of the Sub—Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities submitted under agenda item 9: Human rights and scientific and technological developments (UN Document E/CN.4/Sub.2/1984/NGO/4); Geneva, 14 August 1984. (E/F/S).
Oral statement to the 37th session of the Sub—Commission on Prevention ofDiscrimination and Protection of Minorities rights, under agenda item 11: The New International Economic Order and the promotion of human rights; Geneva, 20 August 1984. (E/F/S).
Oral statement to the 37th session of the Sub—Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 6: Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms...; Geneva, 21 August 1984.
Oral statement to the 37th session of the Sub—Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 14: Elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief; Geneva, 28 August 1984. (E/F/S). Written statement to the 37th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities submitted under agenda item 10: Study of the problem of discrimination against indigenous populations (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1984/NGO/8); Geneva, 29 August 1984. (E/F/S).
Written statement to the 37th session of the Sub—Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities submitted under agenda item 14: Elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief (E/CN.4/Sub.2/ 1984/ NGO/7); Geneva, 29 August 1984. (E/F/S).
Written statement to the 37th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 4: Review of further developments in fields with which the Sub-Commission has been concerned (E/CN.4/Sub.2/ 1984/NGO/9); Geneva, 31 August 1984. (E/F/S).
Paper presented at the Inter-regional Seminar on National Experience Relating to the Improvement in the Situation of Women in Rural Areas; Vienna, Austria, September, 1984.
‘Social and Economic Development: The Bahá’í Contribution’, paper prepared for the United Nations Department of Public Information Annual Conference of Non—Governmental Organizations (’New Approaches to Development: Building a Just World’); New York, New York, USA, 5—7 September 1984. (E/F).
Statement prepared for the Inter—regional Seminar on ‘Changing Families: Relevant Social Welfare Strategies’; Moscow, 1—13 October 1984.
Statement to the ECA Regional Intergovernmental Meeting for Africa in preparation for the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the UN Decade for Women; Arusha, Tanzania, 6—12 October 1984. (E/F/S).
Statement submitted to the ECLAC Regional Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean in preparation for the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace; Havana, 19—23 November 1984. (E/F/S).
‘Towards Universal Tolerance in matters relating to Religion or belief’, working paper submitted to the
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INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT Bahá’í ACTIVITIES
UN Seminar on the Encouragement of Understanding, Tolerance and Respect in Matters Relating to Freedom of Religion or Belief (HR/GENEVA/1984/WP9); Geneva, 3—14 December 1984.
Written proposal for revised article 17 of the draft Convention on the Rights of the Child, submitted to the Working Group on the Question of a Convention on the Rights of the Child at the 4lst session of the Commission on Human Rights, under agenda item 13: Question of a Convention on the Rights of the Child (E/CN.4/1985/WG.1/WP.2); Geneva, 23 January 1985. Oral statement to the Working Group on the Question of 21 Convention of the Rights of the Child at the 4lst session of the Commission on Human Rights, under agenda item 13: Question of a Convention on the Rights of the Child; Geneva, 31 January 1985.
Statement to the Global Conference on Environment and Development for Non-Governmental Organizations; Nairobi, 4—8 February 1985.
Working paper on the question of a definition of the term ‘minority,’ submitted to the Working Group on Minorities of the 4lst session of the Commission on Human Rights, under agenda item 20: Rights of persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (E/CN.4/1985/WG.5/WP.1); Geneva, 1 1 February 1985.
Oral statement to the 4lst session of the Commission on Human Rights, under agenda item 17(b): Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination; Geneva, 12 February 1985.
Written statement to the 4lst session of the Commission on Human Rights, submitted under agenda item 20: Rights of persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (E/CN.4/1985/ NGO/22); Geneva, 18 February 1985.
Oral statement to the 4lst session of the Commission on Human Rights, under agenda item 15: Role of youth in the promotion and protection of human rights; Geneva, 21 February 1985.
Oral statement to the 4lst session of the Commission on Human Rights, under agenda item 10(21): Torture and other cruel, inhuman degrading treatment or punishment; Geneva, 25 February 1985.
Oral statement on ‘Preparation for Life in Peace’ presented t0 the Regional Seminar for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Preparation for the International Year of Peace (Agenda Item 2); New York, 26 February 1985. (E/F/S).
Oral statement on ‘Peace and Disarmament’ presented to the Regional Seminar for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Preparation for the International Year of Peace (Agenda Item 3); New York, 27 February 1985. (E/F/S).
Written statement to the 41st session of the Commission on Human Rights, submitted under agenda item 23: Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (E/CN.4/1985/NGO/47); Geneva, 27 February 1985.
Oral statement to the 41st session of the Commission on Human Rights, under agenda item 8: Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and cultural rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights...; Geneva, 6 March 1985.
Oral statement to the 4lst session of the Commission on Human Rights, under agenda item 12: Question of the Violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world...; Geneva, 7 March 1985.
Oral statement to the 4lst session of the Commission
58.
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on Human Rights, under agenda item 23: Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief; Geneva, 13 March 1985.
Paper presented to the Pacific NGO’s Women’s Regional Meeting to Formulate Strategies for Women and Development in the Pacific; Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19—22 March 1985.
Statement delivered to the 4lst Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Bahá’í View on community participation at the localvlevel); Bangkok, 19—29 March 1985.
Comments and Views Submitted in Response to the Letter Dated 26 November 1984 from the United Nations Centre for Human Rights, concerning the rights of indigenous populations; April 1985.
‘The Contribution of Youth to World Peace’, statement by the Bahá’í International Community to the International Youth Conference, Kingston, Jamaica; 69 April 1985. (E/F/S).
Statement of the Bahá’í International Community to the UNICEF Executive Board (Item 3: Policy Review: UNICEF Response to Women’s Concerns); New York, 16 Apri1 1985.
Statement to the 20th session of the Economic Commission for Africa, under agenda item 8: Relaunching the initiative for long term growth and development in Africa; Addis Ababa, 25—29 Apri1 1985. (E/F). Statement to the Eighth Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements, under agenda item 5: Planning and management of human settlements with emphasis on small and intermediate towns and local growth points; Kingston, Jamaica, 29 Apri1410 May 1985. (E/F/S).
‘Preparation for Life in Peace’, statement prepared for the European Regional Seminar for the International Year of Peace; Vienna, 6—10 May 1985.
Statement to the Thirteenth Session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme; Nairobi, 14—24 May 1985.
Statement to the meeting of the South Pacific Commission’s Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA), Noumea, New Caledonia, 20—24 May 1985.
‘Peace and Development’, statement prepared for the Internationl Year of Peace Seminar for the Asia and Pacific and Western Asia Regions; Bangkok, 20~24 May 1985. (E/F).
‘Preparation for Life in Peace’, statement prepared for the International Year of Peace Seminar for the Asia and Pacific and Western Asia Regions; Bangkok, 2024 May 1985. (E/F/S).
‘Statement of the Bahá’í International Community to the World Commission on Environment Development’, submitted in response to the letter of 8 March 1985 from the Secretary—General of the World Commission on Environment and Development; Geneva, J une 1985. Statement to the Eleventh Ministerial Session of the World Food Council; Paris, 10—13 June 1985. (E/F/S). ‘Values, Culture and Development: The Bahá’í Approach’, by Gregory C. Dahl, paper distributed at the 18th World Conference of the Society for International Development, Rome, 1—4 July 1985.
Report submitted on ‘Activities in the Bahá’í World Community to improve the Status of Women during the United Nations Decade for Women . . .’ t0 the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women, under item 8 of the Provisional Agenda: Forward looking strategies of implementation for the advancement of women . . .; Nairobi, 15—26 July 1985. (E/F/S).
Working paper submitted to the Working Group on
Mental Ill-Health at the 38th session of the Sub—Com
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THEBAHA
mission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 10: Human rights and scientific and technological developments (UN document E/CN.4/Sub.2/1985/WG.3/NGO/1); Geneva, 25 July 1985.
Written statement to the 38th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 16(a): The status of the individual and contemporary international law (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1985/NGO/l); Geneva, 25 July 1985. Written statement to the 38th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 16(0): Prevention of discrimination and protection of minorities (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1985/NGO/2); Geneva, 25 July 1985. Written statement to the 38th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 17: Human rights and disability (UN document E/CN.4/Sub.2/1985/NGO/3); Geneva, 25 July 1985.
Written statement to the 38th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 11: Study of the problem of discrimination against indigenous populations (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1985/NGO/5); Geneva, 25 July 1985.
Written statement to the 38th session of the Sub~Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 15: Elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1985/NGO/7); Geneva, 29 July 1985.
Oral statement to the 38th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 5(a): Measures to combat racism and racial discrimination and the role of the Sub-Commission: Geneva, 9 August 1985. Oral statement to the 38th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 10: Human rights and scientific and technological developments; Geneva, 12 August 1985.
Oral statement to the 38th Session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 4: Review of further developments in fields with which the Sub-Commission has been concerned; Geneva, 19 August 1985.
Oral statement to the 38th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 17: Human rights and disability; Geneva, 20 August 1985.
Oral statement to the 38th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 16(b): Draft body of principles and guidelines on the right and responsibility of individuals, groups and organs of society to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms; Geneva, 28 August 1985.
Statement submitted to the 38th session of the SubCommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 15: Elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief; Geneva, August 1985.
Statement submitted to the 38th session of the SubCommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, under agenda item 12: The New International Economic Order and the promotion of human rights; Geneva, August 1985.
Statement to the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders; Milan, 26 August—6 September 1985.
Oral statement presented and written statement distributed ex post facto at the South Pacific Regional
,7
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I WORLD
Conference on Elfects of Alcohol, Noumea, New Cale donia, 9—13 September 1985.
Oral statement to the Seminar on Community Relations
Commissions and their Functions, delivered under
agenda item 5: Review of the possibilities for future
exchanges of information and experience in the struggle against racial discrimination . . . ; Geneva, 18 September
1985.
Statement to the 25th South Pacific Conference in
Honiara, Solomon Islands, 30 September—4 October
1985.
Working Paper by Dr. Jameson Bond presented at the
University of the South Pacific’s First International
Conference on Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies,
Suva, Fiji, 30 December 1985—5 January 1986.
Statement to the Third Asian and Pacific Ministerial
Conference on Social Welfare and Social Development,
under agenda item 5: Social effects of contemporary
development; Bangkok, 9~15 October 1985.
Written proposal for draft article 1 Of the revised draft
Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to
National, Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities,
submitted to the 42nd session of the Commission on
Human Rights, under agenda item 20: Rights of persons
belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic
minorities (UN document E/CN.4/1986/WG.5/WP.1);
Geneva, 8 January 1986.
Oral statement to the Working Group on the Right and
Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of
Society to Promote and Protect Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms at the 42nd session of the Com mission on Human Rights, delivered under agenda item
12: Draft declaration on the right and responsibility of
individuals, groups and organs of society to promote
and protect universally recognized human rights and
fundamental freedoms; Geneva, 29 January 1986.
Oral statement to the 42nd session of the Commission
on Human Rights on racism, delivered under agenda
item 17(b): Implementation of the Program of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial
Discrimination; Geneva, 12 February 1986.
Oral statement to the Working Group on the Rights
of Persons Belonging to National, Ethnic, Religious
and Linguistic Minorities at the 42nd session of the
Commission on Human Rights, delivered under agenda
item 20: Rights of persons belonging to national, ethnic,
religious and linguistic minorities; Geneva, 17 February
1986.
Oral statement to the 42nd session of the Commission
on Human Rights on human rights and scientific and
technological developments, delivered under agenda item 15: Human rights and scientific and technological
developments; Geneva, 18 February 1986.
Oral statement to the 42nd session of the Commission
on Human Rights on the realization of economic, social
and cultural rights, delivered under agenda item 8: Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and cultural rights contained in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights . . .;
Geneva, 19 February 1986.
Oral statement to the 42nd session of the Commission
on Human Rights on the elimination of religious intol erance, delivered under agenda item 23: Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of
Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion
or Belief; Geneva, 24 February 1986.
. Oral statement to the 42nd session of the Commission on Human Rights on the persecution of the Bahá’ís in 1rén, delivered under agenda item 12: Question of the violation of human rights in any part of the world; Geneva, 5 March 1986.
. Oral statement to the 42nd session of the Commission
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on Human Rights on torture, delivered under agenda item 10(a): Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Geneva, 12 March 1986.
‘The Bahá’í International Community and World Peace’, statement presented to the Non-Governmental Organizations Committee on the University for Peace, March'1986.
Statement distributed at the Bahá’í International Community exhibit at the joint UNICEF/Non-Governmental Organizations Exhibition at UN headquarters
104.
105.
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on ‘Educating Children for Peace’, New York, 16 April 1986.
Bahá’í International Community Statement to the Twenty-first session of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Twelfth meeting of the Conference of Ministers, Yaounde, Republic of Cameroon, 17—21 April, 1986. (E/F/S).
Bahá’í International Community Statement to the Twenty-first session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexicd City, Mexico, 17—25 April 1986. (E/S).
STATEMENTS MADE J OINTLY WITH OTHER NON—GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
1. Joint-statement of NGOs presented at the International
Conference on Population; Mexico City, Mexico; 6—13 August 1984.
2. Commission on the Status of Women, acting as The Pre paratory Body for the World Conference To Review and Appraise the Achievements of The United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development, and Peace Second Session. Vienna, 27 February~7 March 1984.
3. Statement to the Eighth Session of the United Nations
Commission on Human Settlements, under agenda item 6: International Year of Shelter for the Homeless; Kingston, 29 ApriI—10 May 1985.
Statements submitted to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, 3lst session, ‘Role of Women in Development’, and ‘Results of the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace’; Vienna, 24 February~5 March 1986.
Bahá’í International Community representatives to the European Regional Seminar for the International Year of Peace, held in Vienna, Austria, in May 1985; Mr. Giovanni Ballerio (second row, first from right); and Mrs. Neda Forghani (third row, first from right).
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3. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BAHA’l COMMUNITY IN ADVANCING THE STATUS OF WOMEN
A Report of the Bahá’í International Community for the United Nations Decade for Women, 1976—1985
ONE of the signs of the complete emancipation of women, for which Táhirih sacrificed and for which generations of Bahá’í women have yearned and have prodigiously striven, will be the emergence of a universal recognition that a mature and healthy society can exist only when women are permitted to participate in its functioning, fully, freely, creatively, without male dominance or manipulation, and with total confidence and unimpaired self—esteem.
In the Bahá’í society, men are facilitators of female advancement, not power—holders who reluctantly accede to the pleas, petitions, or militant activities of women. They are full collaborators in the improvement of the condition of women in all areas of life. In the Bahá’í society, the emancipation of women is not a struggle between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’, but a collaborative elfort to bring the entire society to a higher spiritual and social level. This is a natural consequence of the spiritual mandate given in the Sacred Writings, binding on both men and women, and just as much a part of the ethical system of a Bahá’í as are the many other admonitions and exhortations that make up a Bahá’í’s standard of behavior. This uniquely Bahá’í approach to the progress of women infuses the following report of the Bahá’í International Community. .
Notwithstanding the obligation and the commitment of Bahá’ís of both sexes to advance the status of women, the Universal House of Justice has singled out the concept for special emphasis in its Riḍván messages since 1977. The result of these exhortations has been the adoption of a wide range of programs, measures, and practices, and endeavors to implement them—a massive response by the worldwide community, on many levels, from Village to national capital. Efforts range from person-to-person programs for individual advancement to international conferences on the theme. By 1986, a total of 1,722 Local Spiritual Assemblies had reported the establishment of specific new programs to meet the needs of women.
When the United Nations Decade for Women was created, it seemed a perfect opportunity for Bahá’í involvement, for the diffusion of Bahá’í writings on the question, and a further spur to activity within the Bahá’í community; it proved to be, also, somewhat of a showcase for the considerable attainments of Bahá’í women as a group along the path of progress.
The following is a report submitted in June 1985 by the Bahá’í International Community to the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, held at Nairobi, Kenya, 15—26 July 1985. The report was received and circulated as a background document from a Non-Governmental Organization, the Bahá’í International Community, and submitted for Item 8 of the Provisional Agenda:1
‘Forward looking strategies of implementation for the advancement of women for the period up to the year 2,000, and concrete measures to overcome the obstacles to achievements of the goals and objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, and the sub-themes: Employment, Health and Education, bearing in mind the International Strategy for the Third Development Decade and the establishment of a New International Economic Order.’
The report is entitled: ‘ActiVities in the Bahá’í World Community to Improve the Status of Women during the United Nations Decade for Women, and Future Programs for the Development of Women.’
1It may be noted here that Mrs. Mary Sawicki, a Rep- United Nations, served as Vice-Chairperson of the NGO resentative of the Bahá’í International Community at the Committee on the Decade for Women.
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Introduction
In October 1983, the Bahá’í International Community sent National Bahá’í Assemblies throughout the world a questionnaire inquiring about activities which their communities had organized during the United Nations Decade for Women to achieve equality of rights, privileges, and responsibilities for both sexes, as well as to report on obstacles that these communities had faced—and were still facing—in reaching this goal. The Assemblies were also asked to provide information on programs and activities for women which they were planning beyond the Decade.2
The present report draws on information received from 77 of the 143 National Assemblies canvassed, and comprises data from countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australasia, and Europe. It is, therefore, quite representative of worldwide Bahá’í concern for the advancement of women, and of steps taken by Bahá’í communities to cooperate with the United Nations in its long-standing efforts to improve the status of women.
The responses received from both the 1973 and 1983 questionnaires confirm the necessity for the change in attitudes emphasized by the United Nations, as well as stressing the importance of education for the realization of the equality of men and women. They also indicate that Bahá’í communities are engaged in many innovative activities to foster the advancement of women—mwhile maintaining unity in the family and in the community, conditions essential, in the Bahá’í View, for healthy progress in bringing about the equality of the sexes.
[Three questions were addressed in the 1984 responses: (1) During the past ten years, what have been your community’s most successful activities to improve the condition of women in your country? What has made these activities effective? (2) What attitudes or traditions pre 2 An earlier questionnaire sent to National Bahá’í Assemblies in 1972 sought information on the degree of implementation in their communities of the principle of the equality of men and women. Replies received were summarized in a report entitled ‘Preliminary Enquiry into the Status of Women in the Bahá’í World Community’, circulated widely during the International Women’s Year (1975) and at the IWY World Conference in Mexico City.
venting the equality of men and women has your community found most difficult to change? (3) What are the most important ways in which your community can assist in the development of women in the years ahead? Can your Assembly share with us your plans for future programs? The present report is drawn primarily from the answers to question three, inasmuch as it treats ‘forward—looking strategies’ and ‘concrete measures’, as called for in the agenda item]
Bahá’í communities, while realistic in their assessment of obstacles to be overcome, are dedicated to a change in attitudes, and are working systematically and in a practical way to win the goal of equality of the sexes. They are dedicated to the education of women, even in preference to that of men, since women, as mothers, have such an important bearing on the life of future generations. In addition, they see the importance of women’s potential for the accomplishment of peace and world order as women increasingly participate in all areas of community life.
It should be pointed out that all individual Bahá’ís and Bahá’í institutions are committed to the belief that the teachings of their Faith are invested with divine authority and that the principles of these teachings are the guidance toward which they continually turn for new insight and understanding. It is inevitable at this time in the history of the Bahá’í world community that there are wide differences in the understanding, as well as in the application, of these principles, and that the full appreciation of their significance, and their demonstration in action, are dependent upon many factors in the life of the individual and in society. Bahá’í communities, although very different one from another, since they include a wide diversity of cultural backgrounds, are also very similar. They express a unique unity in diversity, unity in that all accept Baha’u’llah, the Founder of their Faith, as the Divine Prophet for this period in human history, and are committed to the world-View, principles and laws He has brought; diversity in that they are an unusual blend of nationalities, races, creeds, classes, and temperaments—all welcomed and appreciated in the Bahá’í Faith and its world community.
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During the UN. Decade for Women (1976—1985)
The activities which have been undertaken by Bahá’í communities show wide diversity both because of the specific challenges posed in each society—the various ethnic and cultural backgrounds represented—as well as the fact that national Bahá’í communities are in different stages of growth and have greater or lesser strength in numbers.
The most frequently mentioned positive influence for the integration of women in community life, according to the questionnaire replies, has been the Bahá’í administrative order. Therefore, since the way in which these communities function is part of the learning process in which Bahá’ís voluntarily participate as they become voting members, a few words about the nature of the administrative order that fosters the development of the Bahá’í community are pertinent.
The administrative structure which Bahá’ís are finding so effectivem—now functioning in over 140 countries and in varied cultural environments representing 2,000 ethnic backgrounds—encourages universal participation, in consultation and decision—making, in the smallest community on up. An important element of this system is an election process by secret ballot, free from the practice of nominations and electioneering. Members of the local community elect by free choice those men and women they feel are best qualified to make decisions on a whole range of human concerns. The members are asked ‘to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience’. The elected administrative council regularly consults with all members of the community at large, drawing from the diversity of Viewpoints that necessarily exists in every situation. Once decisions of the council are reached by unanimous or majority vote, everyone in the community is committed to uphold them, ensuring in this way the unified support of the community at large. This joint decision-making process eliminates the evils of political partisanship that seek to undermine a plan of
action, and prevents the influence of pressure groups promoting special interests.
The importance of the role Which this administrative system has had in advancing women during the Decade can be seen in several observations drawn from a wide range of geographical areas.
In an East African country,1 for instance, where the Bahá’í community experienced a significant growth in the past ten years, primarily at the grass roots level, it was reported that the development of the administrative order of the Bahá’í Faith had been ‘a key factor in the involvement and participation of women’, with “more women serving on both appointed and elected Bahá’í institutions’. In another country, in West Africa,2 it was noted that ‘the equality of women had been enhanced by wider administrative experience’, and that women are both ‘included in most of the national and regional committees appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly’, and ‘also serve on many Local Assemblies’. It was further observed by the Bahá’í community of a Central African country3 that the main activities organized by Bahá’í institutions to improve the conditions of women had ‘often been successful because of the sustained efforts of the Local Bahá’í Assemblies’, and that many women served actively in Bahá’í communities ‘without experiencing discrimination’.
The questionnaire replies also indicated that it is not unusual for women to serve on National Bahá’í Assemblies as well as on Local Assemblies ‘often as officers’,4 and that as they begin to function actively, ‘they learn to take leadership roles” and to participate ‘without restriction in consultation and decision-making’6 in the local national administrative functions of the Bahá’í community: ‘Women both vote and are elected’.7
One of the clearest explanations of the changes occurring in women through their commitment to the teachings and principles of the
‘ Kenya.
2 Nigeria.
3 Central African Republic. 4 J amaica.
5 J amaica.
6 Paraguay.
7 Paraguay.
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9
BAHA i ACTIVITIES
The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’z's Of Kiberizi, Tanzania; 1986.
Bahá’í Faith, and their involvement in the activities of the Bahá’í community, is found in the following reply:
‘The very act of becoming a Bahá’í is the first major personal decision for most women in rural areas. Then, as they are deepened in the Bahá’í teachings and the role they are expected to play in Bahá’í administrative activity, they are changed from being passive members of an existing social order into dynamic members of a new order. Because of their functions in serving on Bahá’í administrative bodies and in voting and in being voted for and elected, women have made great strides in a largely male dominated society. An increasing number of local Bahá’í assemblies have women as members and local assemblies With all woinen members have also been reported.’1
Two additional comments help further to understand the process:
‘The opportunity given to women to participate in the Bahá’í administrative institutions is a contributing factor in improving their condition.’2
“Though traditionally women do not take a
1 India. 2 Panama.
I)!
real role in decision-making, Baha 1 women are elected to local and national administrative posts. As they serve in these positions, they educate other women.’3
The replies to the questionnaire also indicate that as a result of this administrative system the percentage of women participating as delegates to the Bahá’í national conventions, called yearly to elect the National Bahá’í Assemblies, has increased. One country, in fact, remarked on this ‘significant increase’ as a ‘sign of change’.4
Also reported was the regular participation of women in increasing numbers, through election, on the National and Local Assemblies, and through appointment, on national and local committees. One country felt that an important contribution to the United Nations Decade for Women was the fact that ‘Women were serving on the Local Spiritual Assemblies and national committees”.5 One reply6 indicated that ‘over one half of the present membership of local Bahá’í administrative bodies are women’, and ‘over thirty per cent of the membership
3 Samoa. 4 The Netherlands. 5 United Kingdom. 6 Hawaii.
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of the National Assembly are women’. In another country1 ‘one third of the National Bahá’í Assembly are women’, and, perhaps even more important, ‘the percentage is about one fourth women on the Local Assemblies, and most of these Bahá’í communities are in rural areas’. Furthermore, ‘one fourth of Bahá’í national committees are made up of women”.
The overall experience of Bahá’í communities would seem to indicate, as expressed in one specific case, that women ‘share equal rights and participate fully in Bahá’í activities’.2
In addition, illiteracy has not been seen as a deterrent in the election of women to Bahá’í institutions, as indicated by the election, in one African country,3 to the National Assembly of an illiterate Villager (1976), an illiterate market woman (1977), and an illiterate housewife (1976). In 1983, the first of these three women was re-elected to the Assembly.
One comment sums up the impact of the Bahá’í administrative system on the development of the potentialities of women:
‘Women are truly exercising to the full their privileges and responsibilities in the work of the community. The success of their efforts is due to a sense of dignity, spiritual assurance, education and the recognition of the role of women in all avenues of society. Since many women are involved in all aspects of Bahá’í administration and community life, this appears to be the area where the principle of equality bears the most fruit.’4
The recent replies to the questionnaire also indicate that conferences, institutes, seminars, school programs and study classes have played a prominent part in the education of men as well as women in Bahá’í families and communities. The establishment of tutorial schools, literacy training projects, sustained deepening programs, the publication of pertinent information in native languages, as well as the advantages of cross-cultural exposure, have all been of great benefit in Bahá’í communities. It is also apparent that Bahá’ís not only seek out information on medical advances, but actively promote principles of good nutrition, hygiene, and other beneficial health practices. Belief in the importance of both science and religion as aspects of one reality has led Bahá’ís to this commitment.
The importance which Bahá’ís place on the acquisition of moral and spiritual qualities as they seek to strengthen human character are seen to directly affect the development of men and women who come under Bahá’í influences. Bahá’í marriage laws, concepts of family unity, and the responsibility of all family members, a spirit of loving cooperation between men and women, and encouragement, assistance and support in Bahá’í communities, are important elements in the progress that Bahá’ís are making. It will be seen that all these communities work towards the equality of men and women, the strengthening of the family unit, and for the unity, order, and stability of the community.
Beyond the Decade
As to future programs and activities to implement the long-range goals to which Bahá’ís are committed, many National Bahá’í Assemblies not only state their aims, but outline specific ways in which they intend to accomplish them. The orientation towards the advance ment and development of women is clear; and the promise for future generations even more helpful, as Bahá’ís deepen in the understanding of the principles and teaching of their Faith, and educate their children in them as well.
AFRICA
Plans involve a project for literacy classes in Villages with the Bahá’í Youth Exchange, which would include women. There would also be
1El Salvador. 2Australia.
3 Benin.
4New Zealand.
collaboration with women’s organizations to accomplish certain projects for women and girls during and after International Youth Year. A national women’s conference is planned, to which Bahá’í women speakers from the Frenchspeaking world will be invited. It is hoped that some of these women will come early, or remain
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after the conference, to Visit women in local Bahá’í communities, teaching and encouraging relevant local activities. Through collaboration With the United Nations and health and welfare agencies, new ideas will reach the Bahá’í women, and help them improve the conditions of their lives. (Benin)
Bahá’í women will be encouraged to take an active part in all social and economic development projects. The planning of national or regional conferences for women, institutes, and contacts with different women’s organizations in the country are also considered important. The sensitizing of men regarding the role which women play in society—noticeably in education, health, peace, employment, and social and economic development of a nation—is another goal. (Burkina Faso)
Centers for women will continue to be maintained by the Bahá’ís. These include spiritual, health, and nutritional education, as well as literacy training for women. (Central African Republic)
The spiritual component in human and social development seems to be our main resource in The Gambia. Individuals as well as Bahá’í administrative institutions in The Gambia are cooperating With local, national, and international development efforts, offering professional expertise and Bahá’í principles. It would appear that the rapid strengthening of local Bahá’í communities is a necessity for the expansion of future programs. (The Gambia)
There will be an effort to involve Bahá’í women in local Bahá’í activities, to appoint women to committees, and to educate women through the organization of women’s conferences. Vocational schools Will be established to train women in relevant fields and to deepen understanding of the principles of the equality of men and women. (Ghana)
The most important way that women can be assisted is through the continued development of the Bahá’í administrative order, in particular, the establishment and strengthening of Local Bahá’í Assemblies. The evolving maturity of the Local Assemblies assures the increased involvement of women because of the basic principles of equality and universal participation. Specific activities include the encouragement of women to actively participate in all areas of community life, to increase the number of women’s groups, both those of an informal
A tree nursery demonstration during the National Women’s Conference held in Nakuru, Kenya, in February 1985.
nature and more formal, self—help cooperatives. To assist this development, suitable materials will be developed by the National Women’s and Children’s Committee, including those available from government ministries. The National Women’s and Children’s Committee has already in process a series of booklets designed for rural, semi—literate women. Topics include: creating a spiritual home, teaching good character, using discipline effectively, learning at home and at school, and raising healthy children. Materials available from government ministries are in areas of agriforestry, literacy, appropriate technology, and water programs. Conferences at the local, regional, and national levels, have been most effective tools for the development of women.
An indispensable factor in bringing about equality of women is the understanding on the part of men of the role they play; increased emphasis Will be given to the role of men in realizing the principle of equality.
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Sewing classes conducted by Bahá’ís for women
on the Lothian Farm in Zimbabwe in December
1984.
The beginning of pre-primary schools run by Local Assemblies will also contribute to the development of women. These schools will primarily employ women teachers and help provide for their training. They will have the same curriculum for boys and girls and teach the equality of men and women. (Kenya)
New social and economic development pro ,1
THE BAHA
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jects undertaken by the Bahá’í community will involve women. There will continue to be a women’s committee which will sponsor specific activities for women. Increased community activities are anticipated. Women will receive scholarships enabling them to attend conferences, while encouraging the support of their husbands in managing the household in their absence. (Nigeria)
/Future projects will include literacy training, the instruction of women in the education of children by means of booklets, and assistance to women in housekeeping, hygiene, and health responsibilities. (Rwanda)
Experience has shown that deepening women in the understanding of the Bahá’í Faith widens their perspective and gives them self-confidence. This can be done by holding women’s conferences at local, regional, and, perhaps, national levels to both deepen them in the Bahá’í teachings and to provide a forum for discussion of women’s ideas and concerns. As a follow-up, the production and circulation of a women’s magazine, focusing on the same topics as the conferences, and with special emphasis on nutrition education, would be helpful. (T anzania)
In the field of development, plans include the organization of literacy programs for Bahá’í women through tutorial schools and the organization of cooperatives by the women in some of the Villages, for agricutural production. Women’s institutes and conferences will be organized to educate women.
Since unity in the family is a goal for Bahá’ís, women can be encouraged to hold women’s meetings to share and deepen themselves in the elements of family life. The committee can hold conferences to create better understanding of unity and the equality of men and women. (Zimbabwe)
AMERICAS
A special meeting of Bahá’í women will take place to consult on and approve plans for a greater integration of Bahá’í women in social and economic projects in the fields of education, health, and family. Regional seminars with the same purpose will consider the specific problems of each region in the country. Other goals are to publish a special brochure with selections from the Bahá’í Writings regarding the importance of women and their role; stimulating the
participation of Bahá’í women in local communities, in social activities of a humanitarian nature, providin g assistance, under the initiative of Local Bahá’í Assemblies; and encouraging their participation with other institutions already acting in the social field, or working for the advancement of women. (Brazil)
The development of women can be encouraged by: (1) Continuing to provide activities which will upgrade management and leadership
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skills in women, (2) Educating local communities regarding the status of women, (3) Increasing the understanding of the Bahá’í Writings regarding women, (4) Educating young women regarding family life, educational goals, and the development and use of their capacities.
Proposed goals include the following: (1) To foster association with Native and French Canadian Women’s Organizations, (2) Organization of a Conference on Women as a part of the program of the Association for Bahá’í Studies with major women’s organizations in Canada, (4) Membership of at least one Bahá’í woman in all major women’s organizations, (5) Public relations activities to inform men and women of Canada on issues of equality of men and women, (6) Communication With all individual Bahá’í women on these goals, and regular communication on our progress in meeting them. (Canada)
The most effective way of assisting the development of women will be (1) To foster greater understanding among Bahá’ís of the Bahá’í teachings regarding the position of women, (2) To encourage a reorientation in the education of children, (3) To make provision for the publication of a Bahá’í bulletin for women, (4) To establish closer ties With women’s organizations, (6) To encourage Bahá’í participation in activities organized to promote the status of women (seminars, conferences, interviews, programs, etc), (7) To organize regional and national conferences on women With the participation of other organizations interested in the equality of men and women, (8) To initiate a program of studies on women including (a) the problems of women in technical and professional activities, (b) the problems of women at different periods of life—adolescent, youth, adult, and aging, (c) the problems concerning marriage, divorce, Widowhood, second marriages, single parents, etc., ((1) consideration of the responsibilities of women in relation to children, and (6) discussion of general social conditions affecting women. It is important to downplay machismo and change the education preference which is usually given to the male child. (Chile)
We feel that it is important to make known the principles of the equality and rights for both sexes, not only among men, but also among the women themselves. There is an awareness of the need for girls to receive education and to
be permitted to choose careers, trades, and professions in accordance with their own desire and capacities.
While pointing out that the ignorance and the under-utilization of the capacities of women in communities is due to traditional attitudes, it must be made clear that the equality of the sexes promoted by the Bahá’í teachings does not necessarily agree with the ideas of ‘sexual emancipation’ Which come from other countries. It is important to make clear that men themselves Will delay their own development if women do not advance. It is necessary that women become true companions in all aspects of family and community life. (El Salvador)
Local Bahá’í Assemblies, often concentrating their attention on the participation and development of women in their communities, Will help a great deal in the future. Children’s classes, taught mostly by women, Will strengthen the
(9/
base of the community. Functioning Baha 1
A graduate of the Ruhi Institute in Colombia teaches a Bahá’í’z' kindergarten in Alegrz’as, near Cali, in May 1986.
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, ii?“ ”Jam!“
3/
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"4.
Recording a programme in Quechua for Radio Bahá’í Ecuador in the studio at Otavalo in 1983.
Assemblies will play a vital role in the process of education, which will have a profound effect on many aspects of the condition of women in Guyana.
Although attention has been paid to family life, where the women play a major role, and to the need for women to acquire reading skills and general education, another aspect important to stress is family consultation, including the elements of mutual trust and joint problem solving. (Guyana)
The Bahá’í community should organize regional and national women’s conferences, since in these conferences women learn of their rights and develop the courage to speak. The whole community, including the men, must also become convinced of the importance of the rights of women, so that they can be put into practice. It is very important that women feel the desire to have the same rights as men in social relationships and in education, and that they express their needs. In this way, the community will develop and express a new level of well—being. (Panama)
Regular bulletins designed to encourage and stimulate the participation of women will be produced, and there will be a greater diffusion
of the principle of equality of men and women through the use of mass media, the organization of conferences and programs concerning the family. There must be emphasis as well on the acceptance of equality of women on the part of men. (Paraguay)
Simple educational programs related to development, equality, health, employment and peace will be planned to foster the advancement and participation of women. This goal will include the education of children, through whom mothers can be reached, as well as a constant effort to assist women of all social strata. (Peru)
Increasing the number of Local Bahá’í Assemblies, and the establishment of adult education programs should lead to the increased development of Bahá’í women, who will be gaining administrative experience and greater confidence in themselves. (St. Lucia)
Important ways the community can assist in the development of women are: (a) the establishment of a national women’s committee whose role would be to: [1] make the subject of equality of men and women one of national importance and attention to Bahá’ís, [2] 0103er examine the attitudes and traditions preventing
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equality of men and women and develop ways to change them within the community, [3] encourage local or regional Bahá’í women’s committees whose concerns would be to organize informal study groups and local conferences to explore the needs and concerns of women, [4] encourage the non-sexist education of children, [5] encourage and support women to become persons in their own right, [6] encourage and support women to explore their role in relationship to social and economic development and world peace, [7] encourage and support men to begin to explore their changing roles in relationship to the equality of men and women; (b) development of special study materials related to: [l] equality of men and women, [2] interpersonal relationshipsmale/female relationships, [3] cooperation and greater equality within marriage, [4] personal growth and development, [5] exploring the
9
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development of attitudes and traditions and introducing new options to thinking and behavior; (0) communicate with Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í experts in fields relating to the issue. (United States)
Bahá’í marriage—including laws, practices, and attitudes—will be a major theme in conferences, institutes, and other Bahá’í events, especially those involving youth. The requirements for marriage, a concern of Bahá’í assemblies as well as individual Bahá’ís, will also be addressed by a committee on Bahá’í life Which has been created to identify and counsel youth Who are thinking of marriage. The importance of chastity before marriage and loyalty after marriage Will be emphasized. Great effort Will continue to be given to marriages in difficulty, helping through consultation With the partners in marriage to solve their problems. (Venezuela)
ASIA
General plans include women’s conferences, study classes for women, vocational training opportunities for women, and the training of women teachers. (Bangladesh)
Special training courses for women are envisaged on a state level also. Another important goal will be to ensure the complete participation of women in Bahá’í administration and in the
A Bahá’í women’s class held in the home of one of the friends in Nogata City, Japan, in January 1986.
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A Student of the literary project of the Bahá’í Vocational Institute for the T raining of Rural Women is learning to write in H indz' script during classes held in M adhya Pradesh, India, in 1986.
training of children. The latter, particularly, is a very significant step in bringing up a new generation Who Will practise the principle of the equality of men and women because it is
play an important role, and the publication of newsletters and magazines Will continue. (India)
The following activities are considered to be important: (1) The spiritual influence of prayers shared in the family, (2) The education of women as mothers and child educators, (3) Service projects, such as care for the aged and handicapped, (4) Regular meetings for selfimprovement, fellowship, public speaking, motivation, first-aid, and other subjects of interest, (5) Counseling to assure love and concern for people in time of need, (6) Rural development projects, including emphasis on hygiene, nutrition, pre-natal, birth, and child care assistance; and guidance on marriage problems. (Malaysia)
Women Will be encouraged to participate in activities of women’s organizations. An education program on ‘Parenting’ has been organized this year. Women will also be encouraged to adopt personal goals in relation to community activities. (Singapore)
Future plans include: (1) Vocational education such as classes on sewing, typing, and weaving; (2) Parenting; (3) Pre—school education; (4) Community participation, with greater emphasis on women’s participation in the spiritual and administrative aspects of Bahá’í community life. Part of the women’s activities have been classes on cooking, nutrition, and handicrafts to supplement family income. Also, special classes have been provided by one Local Assembly for women to teach
inculcated in them from an early age. The literacy, nutrition and health practices. development of tutorial schools will also (Thailand) AUSTRALASIA
The Bahá’í community can help to strengthen the social fabric of the community at large by strengthening its families. What seems to be needed most is adjusting family relationships to preserve the family unit in a society in Which women are as free as men. Local Bahá’í Assemblies and the National Community Development Committee have arranged seminars, summer school programs and workshops to this end. (Australia)
Bahá’í women at Village level Will be encouraged and assisted to attend training courses conducted by government agencies aimed at
educating and expanding the Vision of women. Women’s conferences will be held and women Will be encouraged to participate in courses which will train them to acquire skills, enabling them to earn money in their own right. Special training courses for women and potential mothers to educate them in training their children, as well as marriage guidance study programs, will be held. A method of training women to become aware of the necessity for them to become actively involved in development is anticipated. Plans include the education of men in the principle of equality of men and
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women. The passive acceptance by women of decisions made by men will be discouraged. Seminars, school programs, and teaching conferences are some of the means by Which these goals can be accomplished. (Fiji)
Through deepening their understanding of the Bahá’í Writings, women can become stronger, less shy and fearful, and learn to express their ideas and feelings. Their abilities can then be used in community-wide meetings and activities. Men need also to be educated on the importance of each person, man and woman alike.
This year the Bahá’í community will be holding its Fourth Annual Bahá’í Women’s Conference, Where numerous subjects concerning women will be discussed. (Marshall Islands)
Recognition of the rights of women in the Melanesian and Polynesian environment, stressing the increasing participation of women in social and cultural activities, will be encouraged. Concerning the education of children, the National Bahá’í Assembly believes that in one or two generations notable progress will be realized in this area, since children are being educated in the equality of men and women in the home, in the summer and winter schools, and in projects and holiday camps. (New Caledonia)
A majority of the Local Bahá’í Assemblies are making firm plans to assist in the development of women. There is universal recognition that the concept of equality must be taught in children’s classes, as well as seen by example in the life of the local community. In this way, future generations will have a greater understanding of the principle. Other plans include education seminars, intercommunity gatherings, study classes—especially for new members—and full support for activities such as the United Nations Decade for Women. Women will be encouraged to take their rightful place in all aspects of community life, therefore setting an example for other women. A Bahá’í women’s committee will be appointed which Will investigate opportunities existing in the social and economic development area. There Will also be consultation, seminars, meetings and conferences with men. (New Zealand)
Teaching Bahá’í principles of education, which give emphasis to the education of women; undertaking development projects that involve women and give them an income; and teaching
the present generation of men regarding the status of womenw—are important ways to advance the position of women. (Papua New Guinea)
As women become more involved in teaching the Bahá’í Faith, and become deepened in understandin g its principles, they will share their new ‘awareness’ with others. When women, especially at the Village level, become knowledgeable of the role they play as mothers and educators, they will realize the important role they play in society.
Rural development programs are being considered with discussion on the education of women, child care and health. The introduction of such projects as sewing classes, weaving, handicrafts, etc. into each Village is being considered. This would be done with the assistance of the local Rural Development Bureau, and with the encouragement of the Local Bahá’í Assemblies in each community. (Samoa)
A regional program has been planned to give opportunity for women to teach and participate in administrative activities, to hold institutes on
One of the winners of the Bahá’í Peace Poster Contest, held in Samoa in October 1986.
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the equality of men and women, and to organize conferences for women on the role of women. A women’s committee has been appointed
,7
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to plan a Women’s Day, in which prominent women will be invited to participate. (Tonga)
EUROPE
It is important to make women and men more aware of the promise in Bahá’í teachings that ‘When women participate fully and equally in the alfairs of the worldmwar Will cease’. The National Assembly of Austria calls attention to the statement1 submitted by the Bahá’í International Community to the Commission on the Status of Women in Vienna, February, 1984: ‘. .. They [women] must make constant effort to acquire and develop peaceful Virtues and attitudes, to understand the fundamental issues related to works that foster peace—including the basic causes of war—and to dedicate themselves to the greater goal of world solidarity in Which all nations and people must play a part, but none shall dominate or control.’ (Austria)
lDocument N0. E/CN.6/1984/NGO/l.
We have emphasized the principle of the equality of rights of men and women, and the importance of the woman in the education of children and her essential place in the heart of society. In our community and in our institutions we are making sure that women find their place and participate fully in the life of the Bahá’í community at all levels. (France)
Either because they better understand the issue, or because of the social changes in the country, the Bahá’í women in Spain are active in practically all existing Bahá’í institutions, either at the national, regional or local level. In six communities, there are specific activities for women, such as periodic meetings organized and run wholly by Bahá’í women, attended by women from the community at large. The Bahá’í women in our country are assuming ever greater responsibilities, working harmoniously
A Bahd’z' Women’s Conference held in France in February 1985.
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411
A Bahd’z' Women’s Conference held in Sweden in February 1985.
with the men. One can notice, as is natural in Bahá’í families with small children, that care is alternately shared, permitting both spouses to participate in the activities of the local community. The theme of equality of rights has been promoted by Bahá’í communities in public conferences in many cities of the country. Also we have widely distributed the pamphlet ‘T he Equality of Men and Women: A Bahá’í View’ prepared by the Bahá’í International Community. We have also included this pamphlet in a general information dossier presented to the media, authorities, and personalities in general. Within the Bahá’í community, we have circulated a compilation of Bahá’í Writings on the equality of rights for men and women, and the subject has been the object of consideration in national and regional schools and in deepening classes in local communities. (Spain)
The matter of the equality of men and women comes up in all Bahá’í meetings. Therefore, the Bahá’í teachings on this subject have and will continue to be made known whenever possible. Furthermore, Bahá’í women have taken an active part in meetings of ‘Donne per [a Pace’
(Women for Peace) and have had active discussions with women in organizations such as ‘Amnesty International’. In Lugano we have been aided also by the fact that a woman is the chairperson of the Local Assembly. In the German—speaking part of Switzerland, e.g. in St. Gallen, our Public Relations Committee for that region organizes a yearly symposium. The theme in 1981 was ‘the rank of women in the religions’; the theme for 1982 was peace. We have noted among the female population in Eastern Switzerland a growing interest in our symposia. (Switzerland)
Members of the External Affairs Committee are participating in a series of seminars on ‘Women and Religion’, sponsored by the University of London, Goldsmith College. This committee has also been encouraging women in the entire Bahá’í community to join women’s associations, and participate in their activities. It has asked the Bahá’í community to arrange special meetings for women, inviting their local women’s associations, church ladies’ groups, and other bodies, and individuals. (United Kingdom)
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4. THE BAHA’T INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD CONFERENCE TO REVIEW AND APPRAISE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE FOR WOMEN AND ‘FORUM ’85”
Nairobi, Kenya, 15—26 July 1985
From a report by
MARY SAWICKI
THE United Nations Decade for Women (1976-1985) officially came to an end in July 1985 at a conference in Nairobi, Kenya attended by more than 14,000 women, thought to be the largest gathering of women in history. The Nairobi conference was the third and final one in a series of gatherings convened in Mexico City (1975) and continued in Copenhagen (1980) to address women’s issues on a global basis. At each international conference, two separate but related meetings took place. One was the meeting of official government delegates who developed resolutions for implementation by the United Nations and participating governments. The other was the unofficial getting together of individuals and organizations to share experiences, evaluate progress and achievements, explore the future, and discuss freely the means by which women could increasingly find meaningful direction and exert positive control over their lives. Bahá’í delegations were present at the conferences in Mexico City and Copenhagen.1 Bahá’í delegates in attendance at the Nairobi conference were Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Bahá’í International Community representative at the United Nations, New York, who has also been Vice-chairperson for programming of the NGO Committee for the Decade for Women since the beginning of the Decade and who also served as laision to the Bahá’ís at the F orum; Dr. Magdalene Carney, Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre, Haifa, Israel; Mrs. Thelma Khelghati (Khilqati) and Mr. Peter Vuyiya of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa; Mrs. Shomais Afnan (flumays Afnan) of Canada, a health education specialist; Dr. Alberta Deas, an educator and a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; Dr. Jane Faily, a clinical psychologist and a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; Dr. Ethel Martens, public health professional and director of the Bahá’í International Health Agency; Mr. Richard Mandara, a development consultant in East Africa; and Mrs. Catherine M’boya of Kenya, who was a member of the NGO Forum Planning Committee in Nairobi and who served on the Bahá’í delegation to the International Women’s Year Conference in Mexico in 1975.
The Conference
The ten members of the Bahá’í delegation to the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women in Nairobi, Kenya, 15—26 July 1985, sat as observers in the plenary session and two
1 See T he Ba/zd’z' World, V01. XVI, p. 340; vol. XVII, pp. 23940; vol. XVIII, pp.406~8.
committees. They also participated in NGO briefings on different aspects of the work of the Conference; attended spontaneous working groups of NGOs; pursued contacts with delegates, representatives of UN agencies and NGO representatives.
The Bahá’í International Community prepared and submitted to the Conference a document describing the activities of Bahá’í com
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munities throughout the world to promote the advancement of women during the Decade, as well as the kinds of programs that might be anticipated through the year 2000. The report became an official background document for the UN Conference.
Two receptions were held by the Bahá’ís during the official Conference—one at a Bahá’í home and one at the Bahá’í Center in Nairobi. Invitations went to a large number of delegations, and both were attended by a good number of delegates, despite their heavy work schedule which included evenings and weekends. Dame Nita Barrow and Ms. Virginia Hazzard, Coordinators of Forum ’85, were present at the reception in the Robarts’ family home, as were Ms. Virginia Saurwein and Ms. Raymonde Martineau, NGO Liaison officers for the Conference. A spirit of goodwill toward the Bahá’ís was generated by the quality of the Bahá’í receptions held during the three Conferences and the NGO Forums of the International Women’s Year and the Decade for Women.
Following the Conference and Forum plans were developed for Bahá’í travelling teachers in cooperation with the Economic Commission for Africa and the UNICEF office in Ethiopia.
United Nations Conferences, with their tight agendas and bureaucratic proceedings, hold little attraction for NGO representatives when compared to the Forum type of meeting, where there is opportunity to take part in a wide variety of programs and activities. At gatherings of the nature and dimension of the Forum Bahá’í representatives can draw on the rich diversity of human resources in the Bahá’í world community, contributing creative representation of the broadest possible range.
United Nations Conferences, on the other hand, provide a rare and rich opportunity to make contact with United Nations professionals from all over the world and to have consultation with them on work of mutual interest. In the areas of social and economic development, as well as human rights, delegations are made up of Bahá’ís with expertise in the subject under discussion.
The Bahá’í delegation to the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women, held in July 1985. Left to right, Mrs. Alberta Deas, Counsellor Peter Vuyiya, Dr. Jane Faily, Dr. Magdalene Carney, Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Dr. Ethel Martens, Mrs. Shomaz's Afnan, Counsellor T helma Khelghati, Mr. Richard Mandara, and Mrs. Catherine M ’boya.
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The Forum
The Bahá’í International Community, through its United Nations office, took part, along with 60 other international non-governmental organizations, in planning the NGO Forum in Nairobi. Arrangements for the Forum were made by a global planning committee located in New York, Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. Bahá’ís participated in the work of the Committee in the four locations. They attended the plenary meetings and joined task forces in New York, Geneva, and Vienna planning the Forum
workshops on the sub-themes of the Decade: ‘
education, employment, and health. They also took part in the work of the Planning Committee in Nairobi which handled mainly the physical arrangements for the F orum, including liaison with the Kenyan government. A financial contribution was made by the Bahá’í International Community toward the
administrative costs of organizing the Forum.
Plans were made in the expectation that between 6,000 and 8,000 women would attend the Forum. Actually, 14,000 came to Nairobi. The Steering Committee set a tone of tolerance, goodwill, and cooperation which had a deeply positive influence on the parallel Conference on Women which overlapped and continued after the Forum. Both benefited from the Kenya venue with its warm hospitality and friendly atmosphere. Even the hotel crises over the lack of accommodation did not dampen the spirits of Forum participants. There was great generosity of spirit as Forum delegates were moved from their rooms, forcing them to double, triple and even quadruple the number staying in a single room. The experience of sharing resulted in many new friendships.
Bahá’í Activities
The United Nations Office of the Bahá’í International Community in New York coordinated preparations for the Forum, and at the recommendation of the Universal House of Justice, appointed a Steering Committee in Nairobi to assist with preparations there. These were the four Bahá’ís of Nairobi who were appointed to the official Bahá’í delegation to the Conference. In addition, the National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya appointed five task teams for hospitality/transportation; media/proclarnation; receptions; printing/ literature and exhibition. The Committee and the Task Teams did an outstanding job.
Fifty Bahá’ís attended the Forum as individuals. They took part in workshops, assisted at the Bahá’í exhibit, attended receptions, and took advantage of the limitless opportunities to talk about issues of interest to the women attending the Forum, relating the Bahá’í View to the topics under discussion. They appeared in radio, television and newspaper interviews.
Bahá’ís attending the Forum enjoyed the
warm hospitality provided by the Nairobi Bahá’ís. The Nairobi Bahá’í Center was redecorated for the occasion of the receptions held there, which were a great success. Over 100 people enjoyed a social evening in the flowerdecked Center, with Ethiopian, Kenyan and Persian food, lively conversation, and music. Bus transportation was provided for all three Bahá’í receptions.
The; Bahá’ís International Community requested and was given facilities for a workshop on the topic of management skills for women, and a space to mount a display. A large conference room was assigned, and the workshop given by Dr. J ane Faily was attended by an appreciative audience of 90—100 people.
The Bahá’í exhibition was one of the most professional in appearance of all those at the Forum. It was set up in a prime location on the University campus and was maintained throughout the Forum. Literature was distributed, with particularly strong interest shown in the Mothers’ Manuals.
Comments
Forum ’85 was a remarkable event, a step forward in the maturity of the global movement to advance the status of women. The quality
of the women attending the Forum was impressive: their level of maturing in dealing with current problems, their commitment to change,
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The Bahá’í exhibit at the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women, held in Nairobi, Kenya in July 1985.
the attitude that prevailed of working together to help each other, the sincere efforts that were made to listen with objectivity to differing views, the desire to share success stories, and to learn about others’ achievements. The question heard most was: ‘Where do we go from here?’
Women from every part of the world could be observed listening to each other, seeking common ground for action. From all directions, one heard the word solidarity—that the women’s movement had gone global—that women could work together to implement the goals of the Decade, even if governments showed reluctance to participate. Plans were made by NGOs in Nairobi—«a conference of grassroots women to be held in India in 1990. Rural women made a plea that they not be left alone. African men attended the workshops on traditional practices and pledged to work with African women to abolish these practices.
A peace tent was sponsored by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. When discussion in workshops overheated, the participants were asked to go to the peace tent, where negotiators facilitated the debate. Observing the activities at the peace tent, one could not help thinking of the worldwide network of Bahá’í negotiators in the making, and particularly of the powerful opportunity
that Bahá’í women are given to develop their consultative skills by actively taking part in Bahá’í community life. At the F orum, a woman parliamentarian, a member of the Swedish delegation to the United Nations Conference, noted that in the field of disarmament, out of a total of 600 participants in discussions at international level, only two are women. Surely, before long, Bahá’í women will find that they have a wonderful contribution to make in a wide number of areas that require conflict resolution.
The Forum’s success was beyond the wildest dreams of the Planning Committee. For the Bahá’í United Nations office, Forum ’85 was an example of successful coordination at global level with Bahá’í institutions, with non-governmental organizations and with the United Nations bodies. The experience was educational and rewarding, and wonderfully exciting for those who participated. At future gatherings of this type, where the participants are mainly members of voluntary organizations, Bahá’ís might seek to share their wealth of expertise with other groups who would probably welcome some assistance. At times, to the observer, the success that Bahá’ís attain as a result of their efiiciency and dedication, plus reliance on powerful spiritual forces for support, can be overwhelming.
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5. ACTIVITIES OF THE BAHA’l INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RELATING TO THE PERSECUTION OF THE BAHA’l FAITH IN iRAN, 1983—1986
MARGARET KNIGHT
THE activities of the Bahá’í International Community in connection with the persecution of the Bahá’í community in Tran began during the months of revolutionary turmoil that preceded the overthrow of the PahlaVi regime and continued, with increasing vigour and intensity, in the years that followed. Details of the persecutions suffered by the Bahá’ís in Train from 1979 to 1983 are found in vols. XVII and XVIII of The Balzd’z' World.
The efforts of the Bahá’í International Community, working in close collaboration with National Spiritual Assemblies in all parts of the globe, evoked a sympathetic and positive response from the world community, as reflected in the importance accorded the issue by the United Nations.
By Riḍván 140 (21 April 1983) the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Tran 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; and the false and malicious Charges made by the Government of 1ran against the Bahá’í Faith and its followers had been rejected by all the international human rights organizations that had examined them. The persecution of the Bahá’í Faith in the land of its birth had come to be recognized as the most blatant example of religious intolerance in the contemporary world. The Iranian Government, however, continued implacably to pursue its campaign of persecution against the Bahá’ís.
As each major incident of persecution occurred, the Bahá’í International Community sought the intervention of the United Nations Secretary-General, or of the appropriate specialist human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, issued appropriate press releases to the United Nations media, and wrote to the United Nations Ambassadors of almost 100 countries, seeking the help of their governments in alleviating the plight of the Bahá’í minority in Tran. Briefing papers were prepared for National Spiritual Assemblies for submission to their governments prior to every major United Nations human rights meeting, and similar briefings were circulated to the Ambassadors of countries participating in those meetings.
Shortly after Riḍván 140 (21 April 1983), the case of the Bahá’ís was taken up for the first time by the International Labour Office (ILO)—the oldest intergovernmental organization in the United Nations system—which had been made aware, through Bahá’í International Community publications, of the fact that Bahá’ís in Tran were being dismissed from their jobs because of their religion. In the course of its 15 June dialogue with a representative of the Iranian Government, the ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards stated that it shared the concern voiced earlier by its Committee of Experts regarding the grave discrimination in matters of employment practised by the Government of Train against the Bahá’í community. Despite the Iranian representative’s assertion that the Bahá’í Faith was not a religion and that Bahá’ís were denied employment only in the public sector, the Committee concluded that the discrimination was
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solely on the basis of religion and that it operated in both the public and private sectors. The Committee expressed its profound concern at the situation and urged the Government of Train to comply with the provisions of TLC Convention No. 111, which Tran had freely ratified and which prohibited this kind of discrimination.
A few days later, there was international outrage and protest when six Bahá’í men and ten Bahá’í women—some of the latter group teenagers—were executed in mm.
At United Nations Headquarters in New York, the United Nations Press Correspondents Association, in a gesture of sympathy and support, agreed to put its facilities at the disposal of the Bahá’í International Community so that it could hold a Press Conference on the killings in Shíráz. (Non-governmental organizations, of which the Bahá’í International Community is one, cannot themselves host meetings on United Nations premises.) Accordingly, on 23 June 1983, Gerald Knight, Bahá’í International Community Human Rights Representative to the United Nations, addressed a packed meeting of United Nations correspondents and shared with them the full details of the tragic events in Shíráz.
The European Parliament, in a resolution adopted on 7 July 1983, expressed its ‘consternation’ at the Shíráz executions, Which it described as ‘the product of unspeakable fanaticism’, and firmly repudiated the Iranian Government’s claim that the Bahá’í Faith was a political organization.
In July 1983, the Bahá’í International Community published an update to its major publication The Bahd’z's in Iran: A Report on the Persecution of a Religious M inority. The update, which covered the period July 1982 to J u1y 1983, contained, inter alia, an account of the atrocities in mm, together with extractslfrom a 22 February 1983 press interview in Which the chief religious judge of fihiraz had declared: ‘Before it is too late, the Bahá’ís should recant Bahá’ísm, which is condemned by reason and 10 gic. Otherwise, the day wi11 soon come when the Islamic nation Will deal with the Bahá’ís in accordance with its re1igious obligations . . .’ The update was widely distributed at the United Nations, and made available to National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world.
So great was the international outrage, and
so numerous the protests to the Iranian Government about the Shiraz executions that, thereafter, the Iranian authorities discontinued their practice of carrying out mass executions of Bahá’ís. Nevertheless, executions continuedalbeit in smaller numbers—and the authorities continued to devise new methods of persecuting the Bahá’í minority.
On 29 August 1983, the Iranian AttorneyGeneral issued a decree banning all Bahá’í administrative and community activities in Tran, and making membership in Bahá’í administrative institutions a criminal offence. The existence of this decree, and its far-reaching implications for the Bahá’í community in Tran, were explained and made known by the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations, governments and the media. The mass arrests of former members of Bahá’í administrative institutions, which took p1ace shortly after the announcement of the ban, were equally widely publicized.
A comprehensive document on the subject of the ban, and its manifold implications for the Iranian Bahá’í community, was prepared and submitted by the Bahá’í International Community to members of the Human Rights Committee—the United Nations body which monitors compliance by States parties with the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Politica1Rights. (Train is a State party to the Covenant.)
During the August/September 1983 session of the United Nations Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, the Iranian delegation circulated a booklet entitled Bahd’z'sm—its origins and its role—a defamatory publication which was intended to ‘prove’ that the Bahá’í Faith was a subversive political organization, created and supported by colonial powers for the purpose of opposing Is1am in general and destabilizing Tran in particular.
The Bahá’í International Community had been forewarned of the existence of this publication and had been put in possession of an advance copy. Accordingly, as soon as the Iranian document made its appearance, the Bahá’í International Community was able to circulate, in English, French and Spanish, its already-prepared publication rebutting the false and often contradictory allegations contained in the Iranian document.
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In its statement to the Sub-Commission, the Bahá’í International Community called attention to the fact that the false a11egations made a gainst the Faith and its f ollowers by the Iranian Government were mere1y a smokescreen whose purpose was to divert attention from the fact that the Government’s activities against the Bahá’í community constituted a campaign of religious persecution. The Bahá’í International Community urged the Sub-Commission to do everything in its power to intensify the efforts of the international community to halt the persecution.
The Sub-Commission responded very positively to this appeal. In its resolution 1983/14 of 5 September 1983, it expressed its grave concern at the ‘persistent reports of continuing persecution of the Bahá’ís solely on the grounds of their religious beliefs’ and recommended that its parent body, the Commission on Human Rights, should consider appointing a Specia1 Rapporteur to study the human rights situation in Tran.
During the General Debate at the opening of the 38th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 1983, the representative of the Netherlands referred in his statement to the ‘maltreatment and execution of members of the Bahá’í Faith’ in Tran. This was an historic moment, since it was the first occasion on which a Member State of the United Nations had mentioned the name of the Faith in a plenary meeting of the General Assemny—the highestranking intergovernmental meeting in the world.
The plight of the Bahá’ís in Tran was much on the minds of delegates to the Third Committee (the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee) of the 38th General Assemb1y. Under the agenda item dealing with religious intolerance, representatives of the Governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, F rance, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States expressed their concern at contemporary instances of religious persecution, and almost all of them cited the Iranian Government’s treatment of the Bahá’ís as the outstanding example of this form of repression.
In the debate under the agenda item dealing with gross Violations of human rights, the representative of Greece, speaking on beha1f Of the ten Member States of the European Economic
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Community, declared that ‘The Ten, alarmed by the religious persecutions perpetrated notably against the religious minority of the Bahá’ís, have, on several occasions, urged the Government of Train to grant them the protection to which they are entitled under the International Covenant on Civil and Politica1Rights. We urge once again the Government of Tran to live up to its obligations under the Covenant. . .’
The representative of the Islamic Republic of Tran responded to this appea1 by alleging that the Bahá’í Faith was ‘a very well-organized, foreign-sponsored political group’ and that Bahá’ís were ‘criminals’ rather than victims of religious persecution.
At the next major United Nations human rights meeting—the 40th session of the Commission on Human Rights in F ebruary/March 1984—the delegation of Train again circulated its defamatory booklet Bahá’ísm—its origins and its role. The Bahá’í International Community responded by circulating its Commentary in rebuttal of the false allegations contained in that document.
In its statement to the Commission, the Bahá’í International Community explained that the persecution of the Bahá’í community was not simply an unfortunate side-effect of the Iranian Revo1ution, but was the continuation of a campaign of extermination that had been going on for nearly 150 years. The revolutionwhich had brought to power those very elements of Iranian society most fanatically opposed to the Bahá’í Faithwhad facilitated the persecution, but it had not inspired it. The motive and inspiration for the persecution was, and always had been, deep-rooted religious intolerance.
During the debate under the agenda item dealing with gross Violations of human rights, the representatives of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, the Federa1 Republic of Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Togo, the United Kingdom and the United States expressed their grave concern at the situation in Tran, and the majority referred specifically to the religious persecution of the Bahá’ís.
On 14 March 1984, the Commission adopted resolution 1984/54, in which it expressed its deep concern for the Bahá’í minority and requested its Chairman to appoint a Special Representative to establish contacts with the
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Government of Tran and to make a thorough study of the human rights situation in that country. The resolution, which was adopted by a vote of 21 in favour and 6 against, with 15 abstentions, was subequently endorsed by the Commission’s parent body, the Economic and Social Council.
The decision to appoint a Special Representative was very much welcomed by the Bahá’í International Community, since it represented a significant escalation of United Nations efforts to put an end to the human rights Violations taking place in Tran.
When the appointment of Mr. Andres Aguilar of Venezuela as Special Representative of the Commission was announced later in the year, the Bahá’í International Community immediately submitted to him extensive written and documentary evidence concerning the persecution Of the Bahá’í community in Train, and later (in 1985) arranged for him to interview Iranian Bahá’í refugees who had personally suffered Violations of their fundamental human rights.
In-depth interviews took place in April 1984 between the Bahá’í International Community Human Rights Representatives and journalist Fergus Bordewich, whose major article about the persecutions in Tran, entitled ‘Their Crime is Faith’, was published in the United States edition of Reader’s Digest magazine in December 1984. The article was subsequently carried in the many different language editions of the magazine and appeared in numerous countries in every continent of the world.
At the request of the Universal House of Justice, the Bahá’í International Community, in May 1984, launched a major campaign to make governments, the United Nations and the media aware of the tortures being inflicted upon Bahá’ís in Iranian prisons, and to emphasize that the purpose of these tortures was not only to try to force Bahá’ís to recant their faith, but also to try to force them to make false confessions implicating themselves and their fellow believers as spies and the entire organization of the Bahá’í Faith in lran as an espionage network.
The launching of this campaign coincided with the meeting at which the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was to consider endorsing the Commission’s decision to appoint a Special Representative to
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study the human rights situation in lran—and also coincided with a debate in ECOSOC on a proposed Convention on Torture.
The Bahá’í International Community was very anxious that the fact that Bahá’í prisoners were being tortured in Tran should be included in the record of the ECOSOC meeting. However, the proceedings of ECOSOC are largely a formality: it is not a forum at which human rights issues are debated in detail, and consequently there was no possibility of anyone’s making a statement about the torture of Bahá’í prisoners in Train. The Bahá’í International Community overcame this problem by preparing a fact-sheet ‘based on reports received by the Bahá’í International Community concerning the treatment of Bahá’í prisoners in Evin Prison, Teheran’. The fact-sheet was written primarily as a contribution to ECOSOC’s general discussion on the phenomenon of torture in the contemporary world and, as such, was distributed by a sympathetic United Nations Secretariat as ECOSOC document E/1984/NGO/5.
The Bahá’í International Community later learned that the circulation of such a document was unprecedented and that numerous nongovernmental organizations concerned with human rights had been trying unsuccessfully for many years to introduce at ECOSOC statements dealing with specific cases of extremely serious human rights Violations. The establishment by the Bahá’í International Community of a new precedent in this area was warmly welcomed by the NGO community~and was a further confirmation that the sacrifices and sufferings of the Bahá’ís in lran were not in vain, but were producing consequences that would ultimately be of benefit to the whole of humanity.
In addition to providing full information about the torture of Bahá’ís to United Nations officials, the media and the United Nations Ambassadors of almost 100 governments, the Bahá’í International Community presented a formal submission on the subject to members of the Human Rights Committee. An edited version of the same document was subsequently circulated in English, French and Spanish to National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world under the title “Systematic Torture of Bahá’ís in Iranian Prisons’.
On 6 June 1984, the Bahá’í International
Community met in New York with the Com
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mission on Human Rights’ Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. In her presentation to the Working Group, Margaret Knight, Alternate Human Rights Representative to the United Nations, and responsible for all submissions to the specialist human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, drew particular attention to the recent execution in Tihran of former National Spiritual Assembly member Mr. J ahangir Hidayati, pointing out that he had been abducted the previous year and that the Iranian authorities had repeatedly and categorically denied all knowledge of his disappearance—a denial which had now been clearly disproved. The Working Group expressed its sympathy and support and undertook to continue its efi‘orts on behalf of the fourteen Bahá’ís whose whereabouts and fate still remained unknown.
Also in June 1984, the Bahá’í International Community wrote to all members of the ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards and Recommendations, enclosing updated information about the persecutions in lran, together with documentation testifying to the fact that Bahá’ís were being denied both employment and education solely on the grounds of their religion. During the debate which took place at the Committee’s 17 June meeting, concern over the discrimination practised by the Iranian Government against the Bahá’ís was expressed by every speaker. The representative of Train stated that the Bahá’í Faith was ‘neither a political party nor a religion’, but rather an illegal espionage organization. He argued that since, according to ILO Convention 111, no government was bound to employ in its civil service someone who was known to be a security risk, and since all Bahá’ís were spies, the Government of Train was not Violating the Convention by dismissing Bahá’ís from employment in the civil service. The Committee rejected this argument out of hand, reiterated its belief that Bahá’ís were discriminated against on the basis of their religion, and again called upon the Government of Tran to cease its discriminatory practices.
In August 1984, the Bahá’í International Community invoked the assistance of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Summary or Arbitrary Executions on behalf of thirty~two Bahá’í prisoners who had been condemned to death. The Special Rapporteur duly intervened with the Iranian authorities on
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behalf of the condemned Bahá’ís. Tragically, eight of the thirty—two (all of them former members of Bahá’í administrative institutions) were subsequently executed in Tihran, but the lives of the remaining twenty-four were saved.
At the 37th session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in August/September 1984, the delegation of Train circulated a new publication attacking the Bahá’í Faith. Entitled Some Facts About The Bahá’í Faith, it was largely a recapitulation of the document circulated by Tran at the 37th General Assembly in 1982 and contained the same false charges against the Faith and its followers. Responding to this new attack, the Bahá’í International Community wrote to every member of the Sub-Commission, refuting the Iranian charges and enclosing appropriate documentation.
In its statement at the meeting of the SubCommission, the Bahá’í International Community alluded to the Iranian publication and pointed out that, although the written records of the Bahá’í community in Tran had been confiscated in the early days of the Islamic Revoolution and had been in the possession of the Iranian Government ever since, the Government had been unable to find one single shred of evidence to support its false accusations. Consequently, the authorities were now resorting to torture to try to force prominent Bahá’ís to make public confessions to false charges of espionage and other subversive activities.
In its resolution 1984/14, adopted on 29 August 1984, the Sub—Commission expressed its ‘alarm at reports of continuing gross Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Islamic Republic of Iran’, specifically expressed its concern for ‘the Bahá’í religious community’ and welcomed the appointment by the Commission of a Special Representative to study and report on the human rights situation in lran.
Although it had been the practice of the Bahá’í International Community to make statements and submit papers to United Nations human rights bodies on general human rights issues (for example, the elimination of racism, the rights of the child) it had not been its practice to approach governments on any human rights issue other than that of the persecution of the Bahá’ís in lran. In 1984, however, the Bahá’í International Community received permission
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from the Universal House of J ustice to approach governments and seek their support for the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a Convention against Torture. The Bahá’í International Community accordingly wrote to ninety-nine United Nations Ambassadors, expressing the hope that the 39th United Nations General Assembly would ‘express its repugnance and unqualified opposition to the practice of torture’ by adopting the Convention. The Bahá’í International Community also liaised closely with those government delegations most actively involved in the torture issue at the General Assembly.
As a positive manifestation of its concern over torture, the Bahá’í International Community, in October 1984, made a token donation to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. (The National Spiritual Assemblies of Denmark and the Netherlands subsequently made contributions to the rehabilitation centres for Victims of torture located in their own countries.)
The date scheduled for the adoption of the Torture Convention by the General Assembly10 December 1984—was also Human Rights Day. To celebrate this important United Nations anniversary, the Non—Governmental Organizations Committee on Human Rights had scheduled a meeting at United Nations Headquarters at which a distinguished panel would speak on the theme ‘Combating Torture’. The meeting—chaired by Gerald Knight, who was at that time Chairman of the NGO Committee on Human Rights—was organized by the Bahá’í International Community.
The General Assembly’s debate on the adoption of the Convention against Torture overlapped slightly with the Human Rights Day meeting, but the proceedings in the General Assembly were relayed to the meetin g by closedcircuit television so that those present could share in the solemn and exciting moment when the President of the General Assembly announced the adoption by consensus of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
When the representative of the Netherlandswho had steered the Convention through the General Assembly’s Third Committee—arrived to speak as guest of honour at the United Nations Day meeting, the tumultuous applause which greeted him testified to the joy, the
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appreciation and the relief of concerned NGOs and governments that this important new instrument now formed part of international human rights law.
At the same General Assembly session, the Iranian Ambassador shocked and outraged his fellow diplomats When he attacked the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and asserted that Tran would not hesitate to Violate its provisions. At the 65th meeting of the Third Committee on 7 December 1984, Said RajaieKhorassani, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of him to the United Nations, stated: ‘The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document which represents secular understanding of the Judaeo-Christian tradition by a very small group of people. It is a self—contradictory document and therefore cannot be implemented by Muslims even if they wanted to implement it. We therefore should not waste any time on it. We therefore request those concerned not to criticize us for violating something that has no validity from our point of View . . . Of course we Violate what must be violated without any hesitation.’
The Special Representative on Tran dealt with these arguments very firmly, and at considerable length, in the preliminary report he presented to the Commission on Human Rights at its 4lst session in February/March 1985. Pointing out that ‘States of all political, economic, social, cultural and religious persuasions’ had participated in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights he affirmed that the rights guaranteed in that instrument ‘cannot be open to challenge by any State’ and concluded that ‘no State can Claim to be allowed to disrespect basic, entrenched rights . . which are provided for under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights . . . on the ground that departure from these standards might be permitted under national or religious law’.
The preliminary report of the Special Representative was brief and did not mention any specific instances of human rights Violations in Tran. However, the Special Representative expressed his concern at ‘the number and gravity of the a11e ged Violations of human rights’ in the Islamic Republic of Train including Violations of ‘the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion . . . and the right of religious minorities to profess and practise their own religion.’
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In its statement at the Commission, the Bahá’í International Community drew attention to the fact that a pamphlet containing false accusations against the Bahá’í Faithmaterial specifically designed to incite intolerance—had been distributed by Iranian representatives at the December 1984 United Nations Seminar on the encouragement of religious tolerance. The representative of Train had repeated the same charges in his statement at the Commission.
The statement went on to pose a rhetorical question: Why was the Government of Train so bitterly opposed to the Bahá’ís, and why was the Government willin g to damage its own reputation and endure international condemnation for the sake of eliminating a peaceful, lawabiding, non-political and totally non-threatening community? The answer was twofold: first, religious intolerance pure and simple; second, the Government’s abhorrence of the Bahá’í principles and teachings. It was for these enlightened principles and teachings (which the statement enumerated) that the Bahá’ís in Tran were laying down their lives.
On 13 March 1985, the Commission adopted resolution 1985/39, in which it endorsed the general observations of its Special Representative concerning Tran’s obligation to respect the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and expressed its ‘deep concern at the number and gravity of the alleged Violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Tran to which the Special Representative refers in his preliminary report’, including ‘denial of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion . . . and the right of religious minorities to profess and practise their own religion’. The Commission decided to extend the mandate of its Special Representative for one year and requested him to present an interim report to the General Assembly at its 40th (1985) session on ‘the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Train including the situation of minority groups such as the Bahá’ís’, and a final report to the Commission at its 42nd (1986) session. The vote on the reso1ution was 21 in favour and 5 against, with 15 abstentions. The Commission’s decision was endorsed by the Economic and Social Council in May 1986.
The decision was a very significant one indeed. Only the gravest human rights situations
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are brought specifically to the attention of the General Assembly, and it is only rarely that this step is taken. Throughout the entire history of the United Nations, only five countries had previously been the subject of resolutions by the General Assembly because of their human rights Violations.
In preparation for the consideration of the Tran issue at the General Assembly, the Bahá’í International Community issued a new publication entitled Persecution of the Bahd’z's in Iran 1979—1985: A 7- Year Campaign to Eliminate A Religious Minority. The Bahá’í International Community also published a booklet entitled The Bahd’z' International Community and the United Nations, which explained briefly the history and scope of the Bahá’í relationship with the United Nations and included chapters on the history and organization of the Bahá’í Faith and on the application of Bahá’í principles to matters of major concern to the United Nations (for example, peace, elimination of all forms of discrimination, the right to development, and so on).
At the 38th session of the United Nations Sub—Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in August/September 1985, the Iranian representative claimed that the Bahá’í Faith was ‘not a religion but a faith and an opinion’ and that it had been ‘created, protected and supported by colonialism purely for political purposes’. He went on to say that his Government’s intention was ‘to help and assist them [the Bahá’ís] with kindness so that they may in time grasp and understand the depth of deceit and injustice they have been subjected to by the agents of colonial and imperialist aggression. . .’
In its own statement, the Bahá’í International Community firmly rebutted the allegation that the Bahá’í Faith was a political organization and went on to point out that, in order to ‘help and assist the Bahá’ís with kindness’, the Government had hounded them from their jobs, deprived their children of education, confiscated their homes and possessions, deprived them of their means of livelihood, consigned hundreds of them to prison, and tortured and executed scores of others. ‘The government of Train may call this kindness,’ the statement concluded, ‘but we call it religious persecution.’
On 29 August 1985, the Sub-Commission
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adopted resolution 1985/17, in which it welcomed the Commission’s decision to ask its Special Representative on Train to present an interim report to the General Assembly, expressed its ‘alarm’ at the continuing reports of gross Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Train, ‘in particular at the evidence of persecution of the Bahá’í religious minority’, and endorsed the general observations of the Special Representative in his preliminary report.
On 28 November 1985, the Political AlTairs Committee of the European Parliament held a public hearing in Brussels on the question of human rights in Train. The Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany, in an introductory statement, described the situation of the Bahá’í religious minority in lran, then two Iranian Bahá’í refugees testified concerning the physical and psychological tortures they had suffered in Iranian prisons. The testimony was very moving, and the concluding statement by one of the refugees—that the Bahá’ís bore love in their hearts for everyone, even their torturersm elicited spontaneous applause from the audience and a warm embrace from the Chairman.
At the 39th session of the General Assembly (September—December 1985) the United Nations Secretary—General proclaimed 1986 ‘International Year of Peace’. It was accordingly during this session that the Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum travelled to New York to present The Promise of World Peace to the Secretary-General.1
During November 1985, a series of special lunches was hosted by the Bahá’í International Community for United Nations Ambassadors, delegates to the Third Committee and United Nations media correspondents. Guest of honour Amatu’l—Baha Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke at these lunches about the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Train and emphasized the importance of the General Assembly’s adopting an effective resolution on the subject of human rights in the Islamic Republic of 1ran.
The report presented by the Special Representative on Tran to the General Assembly recited numerous allegations concernin g human rights Violations in Tran, including the alle ' For a full report see p. 334 of this volume of the international record.
gations made by the Bahá’í refugees Whom he
had interviewed. The Special Representative
had tried very hard to obtain the co-operation
of the Government of Train but this had not been
forthcoming and he had not been permitted to
Visit the country to investigate the situation for
himself. His report concluded that the allegations made to him ‘cannot be dismissed as
groundless unless proved to be so on the basis
of detailed information’ and that ‘a continued
monitoring of the human rights situation in the
Islamic Republic of Train is called for’.
During the debate in the Third Committee
on the question of religious intolerance, lran
objected to remarks made in support of the
Bahá’ís by the representatives of Fiji and the
United States and responded by putting forward
the well-worn argument that the Bahá’í Faith
was not a religion but a tool of western colonialism. Later, in the debate under the agenda
item dealing with gross Violations of human
rights, the representatives of Australia, Canada,
Jamaica, Norway, Sweden, St. Lucia and the
United States, and the representative of Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the ten Member
States of the European Community (Belgium,
Denmark, Federal Republic of Germany,
France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, the United Kingdom) and Spain
and Portugal, all referred to the human rights
situation in the Islamic Republic of Train, and
almost all referred specifically to the plight of
the Bahá’ís. In the course of a lengthy response,
in which he claimed that all the expressions of
concern by these delegations were politically
motivated, the representative of Train alleged
that the Bahá’í Faith was a Zionist faction.
The General Assembly’s consideration of the
human rights situation in Tran received extensive press coverage. In most cases, the Bahá’í
question was featured. Media coverage included
dispatches by the four major international wire
services—Agence France Presse, Associated
Press, Reuters and United Press International;
radio news items by the BBC World Service
and Voice of America; articles in the Washington
Post and the New York T z’mes (five times); and
numerous other press articles in the United
States and throughout the world.
Throughout the entire General Assembly
session, the exceptionally large Iranian delegation lobbied very actively against the adoption of any resolution of the human rights situ
[Page 424]
424 THE Bahá’í WORLD
Bahd’z' International Community Representatives presenting a petition appealing for a stop to the
persecutions Of the Bahá’ís in Iran to the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, United
Nations Office, Geneva. The petition originated with the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of Japan and was signed by 65 members of the Japanese Diet. Left to right, Mrs. Machid
Fatio, Assistant Secretary-General Kurt Herndl, and Mr. Gerald Knight. Geneva, Switzerland, August 1985.
ation in Tran. Iranian representatives were equally active in capitals, trying to persuade governments—especially the smaller Third World governments—not to support any such resolution. In the Third Committee, allies of Tran introduced motions that no action should be taken on a resolution concerning human rights in Tran, but these motions were defeated.
Finally, on 13 December 1985, the General Assembly adopted resolution 40/141 concerning the human rights situation in Tran. The resolution, which specifically mentioned the Bahá’ís, was sponsored by Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Samoa, St. Lucia and the United Kingdom. It expressed the General Assembly’s ‘deep concern over the specific and detailed allegations of Violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran to which the Special Representative refers in his interim report, and, in particular, those related to the right to life, such as summary and arbitrary executions; the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; the right to liberty and security of person and to freedom
from arbitrary arrest or detention; the right to a fair tria1; the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and to freedom of expression; and the right of religious minorities to profess and practise their own religion.’ The resolution also included the decision of the General Assembly ‘to continue its examination of the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Train, including the situation of minority groups such as the Bahá’ís, during its fortyfirst session. . .’. The vote on the resolution was 53 in favour and 30 against, with 45 abstentions.
This was the first time that the General Assembly had ever adopted a resolution about the general human rights situation in Train, or about the particular situation of the Bahá’ís, and it was therefore the first time that the international community as a whole had expressed its concern over these issues. The adoption of the resolution represented the culmination of intensive efforts by the Bahá’í International Community and by National Spiritual Assemblies worldwide to secure the widest and clearest possible expression of international concern over the persecution of the Bahá’í community in Tran.
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INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’I ACTIVITIES
It should be recorded that the references to the Bahá’ís in the General Assembly resolution were unprecedented, since this was the first occasion on which one particular community had been singled out by name for special mention in any resolution on human rights adopted by the General Assembly.
Shortly after the General Assembly session, the Commission’s Special Representative on Iran resigned his position, on the grounds that it was incompatible with his new appointment as Ambassador of Venezuela to the United Nations.
At the next major United Nations human rights meeting—the 42nd session of the Commission on Human Rights in February/March 1986—Iran again had an unusually large (15member) delegation, and lobbied very actively against the adoption of any resolution concerning its human rights record. The representative of Iran attacked the Bahá’í Faith in three separate statements, claiming that it was anti-Islamic, a subversive political organization and an agent of Zionism, and the Iranian delegation also circulated the usual defamatory publications against the Bahá’í Faith—to which the Bahá’í International Community responded in the usual manner.
In its statement at the meeting of the Commission, the Bahá’í International Community drew attention to a recent case in which an Iranian court had ruled that a person who had killed a Bahá’í in a traffic accident was relieved of any obligation to pay a fine or damages to the family of the Victim because the person he had killed was ‘an unprotected infidel’. The statement went on to say: ‘The persecution of the Bahá’ís has, to all intents and purposes, become institutionalized in Iran—a regular part of the work of the various branches of the civil service. This state of affairs—the dehumanization and routine Victimization of an entire religious community—«is a very terrible thing to contemplate.’ The statement called urgently upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release all the Bahá’í prisoners, to restore full human rights to the Bahá’í community and, ‘in the name of humanity, to put a speedy end to the cruel and senseless
425
persecution of an innocent and defenceless minority.’
During the debate on gross Violations of human rights, the representatives of Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Norway and the United States specifically drew attention in their statements to the situation of the Bahá’ís.
In View of the resignation of its Special Representative, the Commission did not have before it any formal report on the human rights situation in Iran. In the absence of such a report, the major issue surrounding the adoption of a resolution on Iran by this session of the Commission was the question of Iran’s willingness to co-operate with the Commission’s Special Representative. Iran, which had failed successively to co-operate with the United Nations Secretary—General, the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission’s Special Representative, now offered to co-operate—but on certain conditions, one of which was that no substantive resolution should be adopted on the question of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Another condition was that the Commission should appoint a neW Special Representative who was sympathetic to the Iranian position.
Despite strenuous lobbying efforts by Iran and its allies, the Commission rejected the conditions as unacceptable and, on 12 March 1986, adopted resolution 1986/41 by a vote of 19 in favour and 4 against, with 16 abstentions. The resolution was sponSored by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom. In it, the Commission eXpressed its deep concern at the ‘specific and detailed allegations of grave human rights Violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran referred to in the report of its former Special Representative, requested its Chairman to appoint a new Special Representative on Iran, and requested the new Special Representative ‘to present an interim report to the General Assembly at its forty—first session on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the situation of minority groups such as the Bahá’ís’.
