One Country/Volume 21/Issue 2/Text

←Issue 1

One Country
Volume 21 Issue 2 - Aug-Dec, 2010

Issue 3→

Return to PDF view

[Page 1]

Newsletter of the

= Bahd international Community

‘Aagast-December 2010 Volume 21, Issue 2

Inside this issue

page 2,

Empowering women is essential

tp Millennium: Development Goals

oe

In tran, seven Banat leaders face long sentencas under harsh conditions

page 12,

Religious freedom is a matter of human

dignity, says new § Special Rapporteur

wo 14

Award takes note of composer's embrace Of a diversity of cultures

ol} Pe

Anew book by Rafael Cerrato finds abridge between East

and West

jJONE COUNTRY

“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens” — Baha‘u'llah

New UN agency for women has strong roots in civil society

EW YORK — For years, one of the most persistent challenges facing the United Nations has been to avoid fragmentation in its delivery of humanitar- ian aid and development assistance

This has been notably tru for issues concerning women, which were handled by at least four agencies, sometimes with competing or overlapping responsi- bilities, Aswell, many felt women’sissues generally took a backseat at the UN in all its activities and deliberations,

But last July, the UN General Assembly approved the creation of a new UN agency in an effort to address both of these problems,

In amove seen by many as historic, the Assembly brought into being the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women — known more concisely as "UN Women”

“UN Women will give women and girls the strong, unified voice they deserve on the world stage," said Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary General of the UN, "Tlook forward to seeing thisnew entity up and running so that we — women and men — can move forward together in our endeavor to achieve the goals of equality, develop- ment and peace for all women and girls, everywhere”

‘The creation of UN Women washistoric for another reason, too, Those who fol- lowed the process closely say that civil society played a key role in shaping the concept for the agency and supporting its passage in the Assembly

“Thisisreally an example of the new role of civil society” said Charlotte Bunch, director of the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.

UN Women, continued on pages

elle Bachelet, newly appointed head of UN Women, at 3 press conference in September. At right is Martin Nesirky, Spokesperson of the Sectetary-Ganeral. (UN Photo’Rick Bajomas}

[Page 2]

PERSPECTIVE

With five years left, empowering women is essential for Millennium Development Goals

n September, the United Nations in extreme poverty, as defined by the

IN BRIEF

= In September,

world leaders pledged renewed efforts to meet

the Millennium Development Goals, which aim to reduce poverty, inequality and disease by 2015 Recent economic and environmental crises have cast doubt over whether the goals can be achieved. More than 1.4 billion people remain in extreme poverty, for example

Because all the goals are highly dependent

on women’s participation, an increased focus on gender equality and the empowerment of women, especially at the grassroots level, offer a powerful strategy for meeting MDG targets

2. | August-December 2010

held a three-day summit to exam-

ine and support progress towards

the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) — an ambitious set of promises to significantly reduce pov- erty, inequality and disease worldwide by 2015.

Some 140 heads of state and gov- ernment attended, and they pledged to make “every effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,’ despite the various economic and en- vironmental crises that have in many countries slowed progress towards their achievement.

The Goals were established in 2000 at the Millennium Summit. In their broad outline, the eight MDGs are simple but bold. They aim by 2015 to halve global poverty and hunger; to achieve universal primary education; to eliminate gender disparity in educa- tion; to reduce child mortality by two- thirds; to reduce maternal mortality by three-fourths; to halt and then reverse the spread of HIV/AIDs, malaria, and other major diseases; to improve environmental sustainability, including halving the portion of the population without access to safe drinking water and sanitation; and to improve the world’s financial and economic system to better meet the needs of poor countries.

Worldwide, progress towards the Goals has been mixed. According to a report released in March 2010 by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, while a number of countries have achieved success in combating extreme poverty and hunger, improving school enrol- ment and child health, expanding access to clean water, and the control of major diseases, progress worldwide has been uneven.

Mr. Ban noted, for example, there are still some 1.4 billion people living

“dollar-a-day” international poverty line. Moreover, he said, global hunger has actually been rising, because of high food prices and the global finan- cial and economic crisis.

For the other goals, the story is similar. While many countries have made progress at increasing primary school enrollment, more than 72 mil- lion children of primary school age around the world, about half of them in sub-Saharan Africa, remain out of school. As to the gender equality goal, Mr. Ban notes, the share of national parliamentary seats held by women has increased only slowly, averaging 18 percent as at January 2009. And while the child mortality rate in developing countries fell from 99 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 72 in 2008, this is nevertheless well short of the target of a two-thirds reduction to 33 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The outcome document adopted by world leaders at the Millennium Goals Summit in September seeks to address many of these shortfalls, pledging governments to “renewed commit- ment, effective implementation and intensified collective action.” The 31- page document promises a number of specific steps, including strengthening national ownership and leadership of development; further reform and mod- ernization of the international finan- cial institutions; and increased “respect for and promotion and protection of human rights”

“Women are agents of development”

World leaders also cited the impor- tance of the empowerment of women as “essential” to meeting the Goals.

“Women are agents of develop- ment. We call for action to ensure [Page 3]the equal access of women and girls to education, basic services, health care, economic opportunities and decision-making at all levels, We stress that investing in women and girls

has amultiplier effect on productiv- ity, efficency and sustained economic sgowth,' world leaders declared.

‘The Bahai International Community wishes to emphasize this point, We believe that efforts to promote the advancement of women is one of the most powerful strate- es available for meeting the MDGs, and that the careful analysis of how development programsimpact women, moreover, can be used as a critical tool for understanding whether they are likely to be effective

A point-by-point examination of the eight Goals highlights the crucial role of women at the local level in cre- ating the conditions for social change necessary to resolve the isses of pov- erty, education, inequality, and disease that the Goals seek to address,

‘The first goal, for example, is con- cerned with the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, The vital role of ‘women in the social and economic de- velopment of communities everywhere is clear for all to see

‘The second goal, on universal primary education, also hingesto a gzeat extent on the empowerment of ‘women, The record has shown that when women are given the opportu- nity, they will take whatever steps are necessary to see that their children receive schooling,

Progress towards the other goals, too, depends greatly on women's advancement, The reduction of childhood mortality isintimately linked with the education of mothers, Improvements in maternal health like- wise center on women’s education and access to services, So doesthe reduc- tion of HIV/AIDs and other diseases,

The third goal, of course, is explicit. ly about the empowerment of women. ‘The fact that it remains so far from full implementation only pointsto the profound changes that are required in our collective thinking, Specifically, it requires an acknowledgement that the responsibility for effecting change also

umconecountyong

‘Women line up for a medical dinic in Haiti. A foous on women and their empowerment is key to achieving the Millenium Development Goals.

falls on men, who must themselves participate in effortsto ensure thet ‘women are empowered and treated with full equality, Thisneedsto happen ‘in all areas of life, whether home, work or the public sphere, Men everywhere have aprofound effect on promoting opportunities for women,

“Humanity has two wings”

‘The Baht Writings state: "The world ofhumanity hastwo wings — one is women and the other men. Not ‘until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly, Should one wing remain weak, fightis impossible, Not ‘until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acqui- sition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be”

Ultimately, the effort to achieve the MD Gs depends on how hurman- ity choosesto use its resources, There is little doubt that the world today possesses the collective wealth and expertise to meet the Goals

‘One NGO recently pointed out that achieving the water and sanitation target would cost on average $6.7 bil- ion per year until 2015 — which isless than half what Europe and the United States spend annually on pet food (817 billion),

Refore the Summit, Mr, Ban an- nounced a USsqo billion Global

Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, “Our challenge is to put our resources where they will have the greatest impact — education, jobs, health, smallholder agriculture, infra structure and green energy” said Mfr. Ban, "That is why, during the Summnit, Twill launch a Global Strategy for ‘Women’ and Children’s Health, No areahasmore potential to set off ripple effect — a virtuous cycle — across the Goals than women’shealth and empowerment."

‘That "virtuous cycle” hints at why a focus on women isso important, Over the next five years, as projects are initi- ated or funded, the degree to which those same projects and funds will help women at the grassroots can be ‘used as a Keyrubric for determining their likely effectiveness and subse- quent priority,

AugustDecember2010 | 3, [Page 4]

A century ago, the historic journeys of ‘Abdu'l-Baha transformed a fledgling faith

AIBA, Istael — One hundred years ago, Abdu'l-Bahé, the eldest son of Bahéu'lldh and His appointed successor as

head of the Bahl Faith, embarked on

a series of journeys which, over the

course of three years, took Him from.

the Holy Land to the Nile delta, from

the Pacific coast of North America to

the banks of the River Danube Despite the advanced age of 66,

‘Abdu'-Bahd set outin August 1910 to

present Bahdu'lldh’s teachings about

the dawning of a new age of peace

IN BRIEF

= Acentury ago, the leader of the Baha‘i Faith embarked on an historic series of journeys outside the Holy Land, noteworthy for their impact and lasting legacy

+ Baha'i communities around the world

will over the and unity, to high and low alike. These next few years historic j owneys launched a fledgling ‘commemorate

faith on its way to becoming a world its religion.

This historic journey will be com- memorated in the coming years by Baha{ communities around the world, and especially in those countries out- side the Middle Bast where ‘Abdu'l- Bahé visited

Following the Young Turk Revolution of 1908, all prisoners of conscience of the Ottoman Empire — induding Abdu1-Bahé and His family

‘abdu'l-Baha's vi to Egypt, Europe, and North America

+ The journeys launched a fledgling faith into a world religion

‘Abdu'L-Bahé's first visit to England in September 1911 included a weekend stay in the Gty of Bristol where He met Bahdils and their friends. "What struck some of those present was

his extremely natural and simple behavior” wrote an observer, “and the pleasant sense of humor, which his long imprisonment and awful trials had not succeeded in destroying”

4 | August December 2010

— were set free. Two years later He left the confines of the Holy Land, heading first to Egypt where he stayed for one year

Then, in August 19ut, Abdul-Bahé set sail for Europe, spending a month in. London and two monthsin Paris, After returning to Egypt for the winter, He set off again in March 1912 for an eight- month tour of North America, followed by second visits to London and Paris, as, well asto Austria, Germany, Hungary and Scotland.

Breakthrough to new cultures

“rom the time of Bahdtrllah’s pass- ing [in 1892], the Bahai Faith's spread to North America and Europe had been avery significant development" said Moojan Momen, a historian based in the United Kingdom, “but these communities were rather few in number”

"So Abdu -Bahds visits not only saw Him generally prodaiming the Bahai teachings further afield, but also

ONE COUNTRY [Page 5]consolidating the religion's break- through into new cultures."

At Abdu'lBahd first ever public talk — given at the City Temple church in London on 10 September i911 — ‘Abdu'l-Bahé told the congregation, “The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and ofthe fundamental one- ness of religion.”

Paris-based writer Jan Jasion, who is researching ‘Abdu'l-Bah@stravelsin Europe, said: "Over and over again, He stressed the need for under stand- ing between people, for bringing religions together, for world peace.

He wanted to bring people loser to God and for them to understand the reality of religion and rid themselves of superstitions”

‘Abdu’ l-Bahd was also able to partic- {pate comfortably in discourses about themes that lay outside of the Middle Eastern experience, “For example, the great dangers of racism;" said Firuz Kazemzadeh, emeritus professor of history at Yale University, ‘the rda- tionship between capital and labour, and the conflict between worker and employers the impending Great War; and federalism as a solution to the problems among the States.”

Por three years, Abdu’l-Bahé tire- lessly addressed thousands of people —induding dergymen, journalists, academics, diplomats, philosophers, suffragettes, and so cial reformers,

He also met with and attended to the needs of the poor.

Among those deeply impressed by Him was Dr, David Starr Jordan, the American scientist and university administrator, who famously said, “Abdu’l- Baha will surely unite the East and the West, for He walks the mysti- cal path with practical feet”

Dr. TK, Cheyne of Oxford, the celebrated theologian, spoke of ‘Abdu!l-Bahé asthe ‘Ambassador to Humanity"

“Whatis striking is that, while ‘Abdu'l-Bahé had a great deal of praise for progressive thinkers, He was also very dear-eyed and uncompromising in His assessment of the waysin which they fell short of their owm ideals said Kenneth E, Bowers, the current

‘Abdu'LBahé glimpsed on board the S.S. Celtic as He sailed away from News York City bound for Liverpool, En gland, 5 December 1912. His parting words expressed the wish “that the East and West may embrace each other in love and deal with one another in sympathy and affection’”

Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahéis of the United States, "He challenged people to rise above their own understanding of reality, to a higher level of realization a spiritual level aswell asthe social

“He carried Himself remarkably wellin cultures that were entirely alten to Him, I think one ofthe things we should remember about Him — and which we sometimes forget asa char- acteristic of a Spiritual figure — is that He was someone who was extremely witty and charming," said Mr. Bowers

“A major religious event”

By the time ‘Abdu’]-Bahds travels came to an end, the nascent Baha community had received a wider vi- sion ofits faith, and citizens of nine countries, on three continents, had been informed of the Bahé teachings for the first time,

“At the beginning of Abdu-Bahés ministry, the Bahai Faith wasa fairly obscure religious movement, There ‘was very little accur ate information about it anywhere" said Dr. Momnen. “By the end of His life, notjustin Europe and North America but all over the world — in Asta, the Pacific, Australia, South Africa, South America — large numbers of people knew about

the Faith and had a positive impres- sion of it”

“His travels were certainly a major religious event of the 2oth century” said Dr, Momen. "They had much the same sort of effect as St, Paul’ jour- neyswhich hada sizable impact on the sptead of Christianity”

‘Mr, Rowers believes itis impossible to conceive of today’s American Bahéi community, for example, without tak- ing Abdul-Bahés visit into account, “Through Hislife and words, He was the personification of Bahu lldh’s teachings, He inspired the first handful of Bahéis not only to spread their Faith but, just asimportantly, withstand all sorts of tests, In a very tactful, loving and wise way, He setthe example to be followed”

Asa result of Abdu'l-Bahés jour- neys, the Bahl community began to propagate Hisideas further and these became reinforced in the general pop- ‘ulation, “Thisis where the real impact of His visits lies” said Dr. Kazemzadeh, “in the capacity ofthe community He raised to continue what He taught therm after all these years”

AugustDecember 2010

5 [Page 6]

a)

New UN agency for women has

strong roots in civil society

IN BRIEF

= InJuly, the UN General Assembly approved the consolidation of various UN agencies on women’s issue into a single, higher level entity

= That entity, known as UN Women, was four years in its creation and its birth was helped greatly by NGOs

= Ina campaign involving more than 275 NGOs in 50 countries, civil society gave support to the concept and contributed to its final shape

+ The effort is seen by some as a model for UN reform and UN/civil society interaction

6 | August December 2010

UN Women, continued from page one ‘The involvement of civil society in the process of establishing a unitary UN agency for women began in 2005, during the UN World Summit that year, which coindded with the 1oth anniversary of the 1995 Fourth World Summit for Women in Beijing “We kept talking amongst us about why is there not more conversation in UN reform about women,” said Ms, Bunch in an interview in late July, Then, in early 2006, UN Secretary General appointed a high-level panel to consider how the UN might im- prove its delivery of humanitarian and development assistance, Called the “Coherence Panel." it sought to con- sider waysto "eliminate unnecessary duplication and competition’ among agencies across the entire UN system, “At that time, there were only three ‘women on the panel (out of 15)” satd

‘Ms, Bunch, describing how non-gov- ernmental organizations (NGOs) gath- ered at the March 2006 Commission on the Status of Women began to organize on thisisste,

romn that effort arose the Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) campaign, undertaken by a coalition of NGOs concerned with women's rights and gender equality.

Drawing on the strong network of NGOs that has grown worldwide through the various UN global confer- ences on women, GEAR ultimately enlisted the support of more than 275 organizations in at least 50 countries,

“The Bahai International Community was involved from the beginning, said Bani Dugal, its principal representative to the United Nations, In 2006, Ms, Dugal was chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, andhence atthe center of

Charlotte Bunch, executive director of the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, at 2 panel discussion on to markthe Intemation al Day for the Elimination of Violen ce against Women at UN. headquarters in November 2008. (UN Photo/Paulo Filgueinas)

ONE COUNTRY [Page 7]

many of the early discussions on how NGOs could support Mr. Annan’s vi- sion for more coherence at the UN.

“Quite soon after we started con- sulting and meeting together it seemed very obvious that we needed anew entity at the UN that consolidated the four existing onesbecause that was the only thing that made sense," she said,

Some of the existing agencies, Ms. Dugal added, resisted the change at first, concerned that consolidation would mean giving up their particu- lar set of priorities, "But in the end, everyone lined up behind the idea of a unified agency" said Ms, Dugel.

Before UN Women, the main agen- ciesinvolved in women’sissues were the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Secretary- General’ Special Advisor on Gender Issttes (OSAGI), the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), and the International Research, and the Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) Other agencies, induding UNDP, UNFPA, UNICER UNESCO, the High Commissioners for human rights and refugees, sometimes do important work on gender equality, but it is only apart of their mandate, and often receives low priority

“Another concern we had was that women’s issues, despite all the talk about women, had never been ad- equately funded at the UN" said Ms, Dugal. "So part of the effort was to en- sure an entity like UN Women would be strong and independent, with. enough visibility to get the resources needed for women.”

‘The new agency seems to promise most of what NGOs wished for. It merged together the four agenciesthat

previously fo cused on women’sissues, ‘The Assembly also specifically man- dated that the agency “continue the existing practice of effective consulta- tion with civil society organizations”

Significantly, the leader of UN ‘Wornen hasbeen given the rank of Under Secetary General, which puts the agency atthe same level as other maor UN programs, such as UNICEF ot the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and makesits leader a member of all senior UN decision-making bodies

In September, Seaetary General Ban Ki-moon appointed Michelle Bachelet, the former president of Chile, to lead UN Women, yet another sign ofthe high profile that Mr. Ban and others have designated for the agency,

“Michelle Rachelet isa top notch choice and has long been one of GEAR’s dream candidates," said Ms, Bunch in a GEAR press release at the time, ‘An effective leader of great integrity, Bachelethas demonstrated strong commitment to women’ em- powerment and the ability to shape gender equality policiesin a variety of areas, She also has the stature to mobilize the resources crucial to make UN Women a stocess”

UN Wornen became operational on 1 January 2011 and will have two key roles: It will support inter-governmen- tal bodies such as the Commission on the Status of Women in their formula tion of policies, global standards and norms, and it will help Member States, to implement these standards, stand- ing ready to provide suitable technical and financial supporto those coun- tries that request it, as well as forging effective partnerships with civil so ciety, Itwill also help the UN system to be accountable for its own commitments

‘Above: Then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (center) meets with representatives of NGOs on 3 May 2006. The meetingis seen as an important early step on the path to the creation of UN Women. (UN Photo/Mark Garten}

on gender equality, induding regular monitoring of system-wide progress, accor ding to a UN press release,

‘The operations of UN Women will be funded from voluntary contribu- tions, while the regular UN budget will support itsnormative work, At least USssoo million — double the current combined budget of UNIFEM, OSAGI, DAW, and INSTRAW — hasbeen recognized by Member States asthe minimum investment needed for UN ‘Women, according to the release,

For NGOs, the process of creating and now supporting the agency sug- gests amodd for future inter actions between the UN and civil society,

“This new entity represents anew way ofthinking about how to go about implementing some of these polices that have been out there for years but havent gone asfar as implementation on the ground” said Rachel Harris of the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO). “This is how you get things done in the aast century”

NGOsnow want to make sure UN ‘Women is effective, “Our concern now is to make sure that it isa lean, efficient agency, so that, asmuch aspossible, funding gets transferred to the ground, to programsthat help wornen and also to women themselves, so they can be empowered in projects they are doing” said Ms, Dugal

AugustDecem ber 2010 | 7 [Page 8]Cams ep

Trial now reportedly over, seven Iranian Baha’ leaders face harsh conditions in long term incarceration

IN BRIEF

After a three-day

court appearance in June, seven Iranian Baha‘t leaders, were handed long prison sentences

An international

outcry accompanied the trial and sentendng, with the UN, governments and NGOs calling for their release

+ They have been transferred to Gohardasht prison, notorious for its overcrowded and unsanitary conditions

Seven iranian Baha‘i leaders have been the focus of interation al attention since their arrest in 2008. They are, seated from left, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Saeid Rezaie, and, standing Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tiafahm, lamaloddin Khanjani, Afit Nazimi, and Mahvash Sabet

8 | AugustDecem ber 200

EW YORK — Seven Iranian

Bahdi leaders, already

‘unjustly held in Tehran's

notorious Evin prison for more than two years, have reportedly been sentenced to long prison terms following a series of court appear ances, that culminated in a three-day session in June,

‘Asis often the case with Iran’s legal system, court papershave not been made public, However, reports indicate that the seven have been sen- tenced to 10 years in prison,

On 9 August 2010, the seven were transferred to Gohardasht prison in Kargj, outside Tehran, apparently to begin serving their sentences,

Gohardasht prison is known for its overcrowded and unsanitary condi- tions, Since their transfer from Evin, the seven have suffered from various medical problems asa result,

“Amongst other indignities, they are forced to endure appalling filth,

pestilence, exposure to disease, and quarters so crammed that itis dif- ficult for them to le down or even

to performn their datly prayers said Bani Dugal, the representative of the Bah} International Community to the United Nations, “Itis dear from recent reports that their health has deteriorat- ed and they have no access to adequate medical treatments”

‘More recently, the seven have been transferred within the prison to sections where they are even more crowded, with less access to fresh air. ‘The two women, in particular, have been put into a section where condi- tions are particularly harsh.

During their trial and since, the seven received numerous expressions of support from the United Nations, governments and human rights orga- nizations around the world, Among other things, governments and others have asked Iranian authoritiesto

ONE COUNTRY [Page 9]imme diately release the seven on bail, to prove that their trial was fair, and to stop the religious persecution of Bahéfs in Iran,

International outcry

Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, who is one of the senior members of the legal team for the seven, told the BRC’s Persian service in August that she was “stunned” by the lengthy sentence “Thave read their case file page by page and did not find anything prov- ing the accusations, nor did I find any document that could prove the claims ofthe prosecutor.” said Ms, Ebadi

“Thave read thelr case fi page by page and did not find anything proving the accusations, nor did I find any document that could prove the daims of the prosecutor”

—Nobel laureate Shitin Ebadi

UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon specifically mentioned the seven. in areport on human rightsin Iran that he released in October, Among other things, Mr, Ban’s report noted that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rightshas expressed "deep concern over the absence of interna- tional observers and the lack of due process in that trial, [See also page 11]

A statement bythe European Union in August summarized the position of many governments,

"The European Union expresses its serious concern about the sentencing of seven Bahét leader sin Iran.” satd a declaration by Baroness Catherine Ashton, the EU’ High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, calling for their immediate release,

"The verdict appears to be based on. the defendants belonging to a religious minority and the judicial process was seriously flawed, respecting neither Iran's international commitments ‘under the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) nor itsnational legislation regarding fait ‘rial rights," said Baroness Ashton,

umconecountyong

in June, human rights campaigners in Bea

artied masks depicting

Iran's seven Baha'i leaders. They gathered in front of the Brazilian

Other governments and groupsis- suing statements of protest or concern have induded Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain the UK.

and the US.A., along with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, FIDH, and Christian Solidarity

Aswell, prominent individuals and sgoups in Brazil, India, South Africa and other countries that have relatively friendly relations with Iran have also issued expressions of concern about the trial and imprisonment of the seven.

In December, for example, former Indian Deputy Prime Minister LK, Advani said: "I appeal to Iran and join the UN and the rest of the interna- tional community to treat the Bahdts with respect and provide justice to the imprisoned seven leaders of the Baht community”

us leaders concerned

In Gctober, top religiousleader s in the United Kingdom, induding the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster,

the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonvrealth, and the Assistant Secretary General of

Nation al Congress, Brasilia, to protest Iran's treatment of Bahdts

the Muslim Council of Great Britain, issued a statement describing the sentencing of the seven as a “gross vio- lation of the fundamental human right to freedom of religion."

‘The seven — Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimni, Saeid Rezale, Mahvash Sabet, Behr ouz ‘Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahmn — were all members of anational-level group that, with the government’sknowledge, helped see to the minimum spiritual needs of Iran's Baha community,

‘They were arrested in 2008 and held at Evin prison for nearly a year without formal charges or access to lawyers On 12 January 2010, the seven were brought to a preliminary appearance at Branch 28 ofthe Revolutionary Court in Tehran, where they were charged with espionage, "propaganda activities against the Islamic order” the estab- lishment of an illegal administration, cooperation with Israel, the sending of secret documents outside the country, acting against the security of the coun- try, and “corruption on earth."

‘After several more preliminary appearances, apparently to settle procedural issues, the seven were put on trial for three days, from 12-

14 June, The trial was closed to the media and outsiders, although several

AugustDecember 2010 | 9 [Page 10]

In Berlin, Gatmany, a replica prison cell was ereded at the ty historic Brandenburg Gate in June, to draw attention to the case of Iran's imprisoned Bahai leaders.

family members were allowedto at- tend, Throughout the process, the seven have categorically denied all the charges against them.

A catalogue of abuses

Representatives ofthe Bahét International Community who have followed the proceedings dosely say that despite the lack of information that hasbeen publicly available, it is nevertheless clear that the arrest, detention and trial of the seven lead- ersamounts to alengthy catalogue of abuses and illegal actions, both under international law and Iranian statutes,

“Iranian law requires that detain- eesbe quickly and formally charged with crimes, The seven Bahgis were held at least nine months before any word of the charges against them were uttered by officials, and even then it was at apress conference, not in a court setting” said Diane Alsi, the Community’srepresentative to the UN in Geneva."For along time, the seven were also denied access to lawyers When they were allowed contact, it lasted barely an hour before their so- called trial began,

“Detainees who have been charged also have the right to seek bail and to be released pending trial. The seven.

xo | August December 2010

have continually been dented ball, despite numerous requests

“These are black and white con- cerns, not subject to interpretation” said Ms Alat,

She added that there were reports of a “mnenacing presence” of government intelligence agents thr oughout the ‘tial, “The whole event amounted to a complete mockery of justice, sorne- thing thathas become increasingly ‘common in Iran today," she said.

Asof this writing, the status of the seven remains uncertain, Reports in- dicate that the June proceedings found the seven innocent of the charges relat- ing to “tarnishing” Iran’sreputation internationally and also of "spreading corruption on earth.” In September, word came that a court of appeal had overturned the verdicts on those charges that relate to espionage.

Global Day of Action

‘The opening date of the conud- ing trial sessions on 12 June coincided with both the anniversary of the much contested 2009 presidential dection and the observance of a "global day

of action” established by a coalition of human rights groups known as Unitedglran to protest the repres-

sive measures taken by the Iranian government to stifle dissent,

In more than @o cities around the world, people took to the streets on 12, June to call for an end to human rights abuses in Iran,

In South Africa, buses carried images of Iranian prisoners of conscience as part ofthe campaign, “Thisisnot about patty politics or calls for punitive action," said one campaigner in Johannesburg, "this is. prindpled call to respect the hurnan. rights of every person.”

In many cities, demonstrators spe- cifically mentioned the unjust impris- onment of the seven Baha leaders

In Berlin, Germany, a group erected areplica prison cell atthe city’s historic Brandenburg Gate, A display depicting the seven Bahdt leaders read: "Ideals cannot be locked up, But people with ideals can be. In Iran, these people need your help”

“Por more than two years the seven Bahl leadershave been under arrest ‘without justification,” said a supporter in Germany. "They are imprisoned only because they are Bahéis, Today it is the Bahéis, Tomorrow it could hap- pen to the Sunnis, Jews, Christians or other minorities”

In Brazil, campaigners carrying masks depicting Iran's seven Bahét leaders gathered in front of the Brazilian National Congressto call for their release

Congressman Mr. Luiz Couto — a former President of the Commission of Human Rights and Minorities — told the gathering that a person’s faith is an intrinsic human right, necessary for the development of an individual and his contribution to society.

ONE COUNTRY [Page 11]H UM AN a

GHTS

UN General Assembly approves resolution on Iran human rights by a wide margin

IN BRIEF

For the 23rd time since 1985, the UN General Assembly has expressed concern over human rights violations in Iran

This year’s vote passed by one

of the widest margins ever, reflecting strong condemnation by the international community

The resolution follows a report issued by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

that took note of Iran’s continued use of torture, its poor treatment of women, and its failure to protect the rights of minorities, such as the Baha’, Sufi, Baluch and Kurdish communities

NITED NATIONS — For the

23rd time since 1985, and by

one of the largest margins

ever, the United Nations has once again approved a resolution that condemns Iran’s failure to meet its obligations under international human rights law.

By a vote of 78 to 45, with 59 ab- stentions, the UN General Assembly confirmed a resolution that expressed “deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations” ‘The final vote for what has become an annual resolution on Iran came on 21 December 2010.

‘The resolution specifically ex- pressed concern over Iran's “intensified crackdown on human rights defenders and reports of excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions, unfair trials and allegations of torture,’ as well as its “pervasive gender inequality and vio- lence against women,’ and its discrimi- nation against minorities, including members of the Bahai Faith.

“The world community has clearly spoken. It is outraged at Iran’s con- tinued and intensifying violations of human rights,” said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Bahdi International Community to the United Nations.

Ms. Dugal noted that the resolution documents a wide range of violations — from torture to the oppression of women to the persecution of minori- ties. “All of this has been going on for too long, and it is high time that Iran pays heed to the call of the international community and complies with the stan- dards of international law,” she said.

‘The resolution devoted an entire paragraph to Iran’s treatment of mem- bers of the Bahéi Faith, cataloging

an extensive list of recent anti-Bahai activities. These included: “increas- ing evidence of efforts by the State to identify, monitor and arbitrarily detain Bahdis, preventing members of the Bahai faith from attending univer-

sity and from sustaining themselves economically, the confiscation and destruction of their property, and the vandalizing of their cemeteries...”

It also expressed concern over the recent trial and sentencing of seven Bahai leaders, saying they were “repeatedly denied the due process of law?

‘The five-page document echoes concerns expressed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who issued a report in October that criticized Iran's use of torture and the death penalty, its poor treatment of women, and repeated violations of due process of law, as well as its failure to protect the rights of minorities, such as the Bahai, Sufi, Baluch and Kurdish communities.

Put forward by 42 co-sponsors, the resolution also calls on Iran to cooper- ate with international human rights monitors and to allow them into the country.

“The Bahai International Community strongly welcomes this resolution, not only for its clear- sighted view of what is happening in Iran but also for its call for increased monitoring,’ said Ms. Dugal. “As the resolution notes, it has been more than five years since Iran allowed UN officials into the country to investigate reports of human rights violations — something that is clearly unacceptable, especially for a country that claims to the world that it has nothing to hide?

August-December 2010 | 11 [Page 12]Ceebeoom OF DEETSTOM] 8

Religious freedom is a matter of human dignity, says new UN Special Rapporteur

IN BRIEF

= The new UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief said he strongly supports individual human rights, which are a matter of human dignity

+ Dr. Heiner Bielefelt, a German academic and specialist in human rights politics, introduced himself to the UN community in October

= Among other things, he said that freedom of religion or belief has a broad scope of application, because of its universal nature

“Human dignity Is neither an ascribed societal status, nora privilege granted by ‘Governments. It does not derive from social agreements, nor an it be made dependent on membership within a particular group of people” —Heiner Bielefeldt

12 | AugustDecember2010

NITED NATIONS —Should criticism of religionsbe banned as hate speech? Can a country prevent its citizens

from freely changing religion? Can a

minority faith build a place of worship

wherever it chooses?

‘These are among the questions that make up today’s global discourse about religious freedom,

In Cctober, the UN'snevily ap- pointed Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief — set out histhoughts, under scoring the importance of protecting individual human rights,

Dr, Heiner Bielefeldt formally introduced himself at the UN in New York on 21 October, in an interactive dialogue with the General Assembly, ‘The following day, he held an intro- ductory briefing for a group composed largely of non-governmental organiza- tions, held in the New York offices of the Bahéf International Community,

A German university professor with widely admoviledged expertise in ‘issues of religious freedom and public policy, Dr, Bielefeldttold members ofthe UN General Assembly's Third Committee that freedom of religion ot belief stands as a fundamental human right, related to the “inherent dignity” of all human beings — and thatit can- not be taken away by anyone,

“Human dignity is neither an ascribed societal status, nor a privilege ganted by Governments, It does not derive from social agreements, not can it be made dependent on mem- bership within a particular group of people," said Dr, Bielefeldt to the Third Committee, which oversees human rights for the General Assembly

‘The concept of human dignity and its inalienable nature is spelled out in the Universal Declaration of Hurman Rights, he said, But itis also a concept that "Tesonates strongly in religious

or philosophical traditions, across regional and cultural boundaries”

"As a consequence ofits universalis- ticnature as human right, freedom of religion or beliefhas a broad scope of application,” he satd.

In addition to protecting the right of everyone to profess a belief — or no belief at all —it also protects "mem- bers of nevily established communities, minority groups aswell as minorities within minorities

Dr, Bielefeldt said that governments have a strong obligation to protect the individual right to freedom of religion or belief, which also extendsto the

Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt speaking in October at a briefing sponsored by the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief in New York.

ONE COUNTRY [Page 13]individual'srightto “change” one’s belief — something prohibited in some countries,

“Protection must also be accorded to those who have exercised, or wish, to exercise, their right to change one’s religious affiliation, which constitutes an inherent and essential part of ev- eryone’ freedom of religion or belief.” he said.

He also said international lav sup- ports the right of religious communi- tiesto build places of worship where they reasonably choose.

In taking up his post on 1 August 2010, Dr, Bielefeldt essentially became the UNS chief expert on the issue of religious freedom, He will be expected to isotie annual reports on the state of such freedom in the world, as well as periodicreports about the particular situation in various countries,

"The reports by the Special Rapporteur are not binding in any ‘way, but they inform international legal opinion,” said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Bahét International Community to the United Nations, “These opinions then influence UN resolution and interna- tional treaties”

“Dr, Bielefeldthas started out by clearly setting out what he sees asthe isoues of religious freedom that are at stake, and to articulate how he intends to approach them:" said Ms, Dugal, who is also president of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Relief in New York, which sponsored the briefing

Dr, Bielefeldt also told the group thathe intendsto work closely with other UN Special Rapporteur, such as those who are concerned with racism and freedom of expression.

“Some of the resentment, some of the discrimination that takes place against religious minoritieshas a very strong similarity to ethnic or racial discrimination," he said, "But on the conceptual level, it must be very dear that religion is not some sort of ethnic fsoue.. ike the color of skin."

If that happens, he said, "an impor- tant, an essential element of choice, the search for meaning, is actually lost”

umconecountyong

In October, Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt right, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief introduced himself to the UN community in New York. He posed with Diane Ala’ left, and Bani Dugal, canter, after a briefing at the offices of the Bah Intemational Community. Ms Ali and Ms. Dugal are two of the Community's representatives to the LIN.

Dr, Bielefeldt was appointed to the position of Special Rapporteur

for Freedom of Religion or Belief on

18 June 2010 by the United Nations Human Rights Counail, His mandate extends for aterm of three years, and is once renewable,

Dr, Bielefeldt, 52, succeeds Pakistani human rights lawyer, Asma Jahangir, who held the position for six years prior to Dr, Bielefeldt’s appointment,

A professor of Human Rights and Human Rights Polities at the University of Erlangen-Nimberg in Germany, Dr. Bielefelt was also previously the director of the German Institute for Human Rights from 2003 to 2009, He has also held post- tions at the University of Toronto, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Mannheim, He holds a PhD in Philosophy, obtained from the University of Tubingen in 1989, He has also tundertaken studiesin history and Catholic theology,

‘AugustDecember 2010. | 13 [Page 14]

Award takes note of composer's

embrace of a diversity of cultures

EYKJAVIK, Iceland — Since his breakthrough asa composer more than 30 years ago, Lasse ‘Thoresen has been searching

for a musical language that brings the

world’s diverse cultures together.

Now, one ofhisinnovative vocal works has been acclaimed for the com- monalitiesit finds between the ancient and the modern, as well as between musical styles around the world.

In ceremonies in Iceland on 3 November 2010, Prof, Thoresen waspre- sented the Nordic Couneil Muste Prize, which comeswith an award of 350,000 Denmark Kroner (U8¢56,000), for his piece, Opus 42

“This strikingly beautiful piece reveals the common denominators in ancient and ultra-modern sounds, drawing our attention to the similarities, between Scandinavian folk traditions

and the musicwe might find in, say, the Middle East or India,” wrote the Adjudication Committee for the

Prize, which includes members from, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, "It represents arenewal not just of Nordic vocal music, but of score-based vocal musi¢ in general.”

Prof, Thoresen explained: “There are scales very similar in Scandinavian folk music to things you can findin the East, Neither of them elaborate harmony in avery developed way as was done in western classical music.”

Opus 42 also incorporates the tra- ditional overtone singing of Mongolia, in which the singer manipulates the resonances created as the air travels from the lungs to the mouth and nose,

“That takes a few years to learn,” said Prof, Thoresen, “For singers to do

‘The Norwegian composer, Lasse Thoresen, won the prestigious 2010 Nordic Council Music Prize for his piece, Opus 42. (Photo courtesy Musikkinformasionssenteret MICA isbeth Risnes)

14 | AugustDecem ber 2010

that, they musthave quite a new oral training, So asa part of thisproject,

a system of training was developed to master these techniques,

“L think it is important to regard cultural differences as aresource and not asa threat" he said, "Even if you cannot escape from your own cultural conditioning, in some waysyou can embrace other cultural sensibilities and reflect them in your own cul- tural contest and produce an example of fruitful coexistence of cultural differences”

Opus 42 isa collection of four vocal pieces, titled "Sun Prayer," "Raneral Psalm.” "Heavenly Father," and “Dual Doodles." The first was commissioned by the Bergen International Festival, the other three by the Osa Festival, which brings together Norwegian folk and classical musicians, The work has been performed by a Norwegian vocal ensemble, Nordic Voices, which the composer believes to be the only group in the world that can cope with the demands he places on his performers,

Born in Oslo in 1949, Prof, ‘Thoresen has loved music ever since he can remember, He began taking piano lessons at age sevens by 15 he was an accompanist for his school's choir; and at 16 he had composed his first piece. In 1971, he joined the Baha Fath,

As his career progressed, he took a position asa professor at the Norwegian State Academy for Music In May 2001, his oratorio Terraces of Light was performed on the occasion of the inauguration of the spectactilar gatden terraces around the Bahai Holy Places on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel

ONE COUNTRY [Page 15]Review: Desde el corazon de Iran

‘Miami-based radio journalist Ninoska Perez Castellon wrote thatit is "anecessary book... Ifsa call to the ‘world to ensure that the abuses against the Bahéi community in Iran are not left to fall into obscurity

“Itisbecause of the integrity of vwriterslike Rafael Cerrato that we can become deeply familiar with a subject that should be on the front page of newspapers” she wrote.

Born in Cordobain 1951, Mr, Cerrato studied economics in Malaga before devoting his energy to explor- ing what he describes asthe “great truthsnot recorded in history but that are key to understanding our present”

Religion plays a major role in that understanding,

“Thave always thought man isa teligious animal’ — even more than. the political animal that many philoso- pher shave defined." said Mr. Cerrato, “Without religion, so cial phenomena or the evolution of the world cannot be understood.”

Inhis 2005 work, Letter to Rernando Sanchez Drago, he drew comparisons between the founders of Christianity, Iam and Buddhism, The following year, Lepanta, the Unfinished Battle explored the history of the West’srela- tionship with Islam

“Religlon should be a force for

good anda unifying element. But, unfortunately, It Is the cause

of many problems. The origin of these problems is not religion Hself...They are mainly caused by thedistortion men make of Its content and message”

= Rafael Cerrato

“Religion should be aforce for good and a unifying element*"he said, "But, ‘unfortunately, itis the cause of many problems, The origin of these problems isnotreligion itsdlf..They are mainly caused by the distortion men make of its content and message."

‘Mr, Cerrato has lived for 10 years outside of Barcelona, dose to the popular pilgrimage destination of ‘Montserrat, from which he derives his own spiritual inspiration,

Gilbert Grasselly — aprofessional translator based in Hollywood, Florida —has been asked to translate From the Heart of Iran into English.

“He's calling the public’ attention to what’ happening” said Mr. Grasselly “Ittouched me when Iread these his- tories, Its very moving”

‘Mr, Cerrato hopes that hisbook will inform Spanish-speaking readers both about the the situation the Bahéis face in Iran, and the values for which they are prepared to suffer,

“Thope it will open the eyes of lead- ers, journalists, and intellectuals who read it — if they do — about the plans and actions of the present government in Tran."

“and atthe same titme, Ihope they see that, through the Rahf Faith, many constructive processes of dialogue can be opened between East and West.”

ONE COUNTRY

ONE COUNTRY is published quarterly by the Ofice of Public Information of

the Bah! International Community,

an international non-governmental organization which encompasses and represents the worldwide membership of the Bah Feith,

For more information on the stories in this newsletter, or any aspect ofthe Baha’? International Community and ts work, please contact

ONE COUNTRY Bah! International Community — Suite 120

866 United Nations Plena

New York, NewYork 10017

USA,

Email onemuntry@bicorg hitpsfrwnconecounty.org

Eior: Brad Pokorny

Associate Editors: Rob Weinberg (Haifa) Kong Siew Huat (Macau) Ralf Wolf (Germany)

Ectitorial Assistant: Veronica Sho ital Design: Tom Mann

Subscription inquires should be directed tn the above address. all material is copyrighted by the Beha International Community and subjectto all applicable international copyright laws. Stories from this newsletter may be republished by

any organization provided that they are attributed as follows: “Reprinted from ONE COUNTRY, the newsletter ofthe Baha? International Comm unite

Printed using soy-based inks on paper from sustainable forests

AugustDecem ber 200 | a5 [Page 16]

Spanish author discovers “bridge between East and West”

Desde ef corazon de iran - Los baha’ls: La esperanza oprimida

—By Rafael Cerrato Erasmus Ediciones Barcelona

IN BRIEF

+ Spanish author Rafael Cerrato, spedalizing in writing about religion, encountered the Baha‘t Faith while touring Israel

+ He concluded it offers a unique bridge between East and West, and decided to write a book about it

+ The result, published in Spanish, also chronicles the

great “faith and steadfastness” shown by Iranian Baha‘fs under persecution in Iran

16 | August Decem ber 2010

ADRID, Spain — When author Rafael Cerrato de- cidedto pay a short visit to {the north of Israel in 2006,

little did he suspect that it would give

rise to anew book,

Passing through the city of Haifa, he was deeply impressed by the build- ingsand gardens ofthe Bahét World Centre, situated on the slopes of ‘Mount Carmel.

“Twas amazed. said Mr, Cerrato, "I immediately thought [had to discover what lay behind that beauty”

Returning to Spain, the author — who is Roman Catholic and has written extensively about religion — started looking into the history and teachings of the Bahét Faith and was fascinated by what he found out.

“T discovered that the long-awaited bridge between East and West — which many politicians and intel- lectualshave tried to create with the Alliance of Civilizations and such — already exists he said.

“Without losing any of the prin- ples of previous religions, the Bahét social teachings have it all — the need for supranational bodies, the equality between men and women, univer sal education... I believe in these prin- ples and they attract me — so Thave no problem in broadcasting them”

During his research, Mr. Cerrato also became impressed by "the great faith and steadfastness" that the Bahét community of Iran shows in the face of opposition,

He decided to write a book chart- ing the story of the Bahd¥ Faith, with an emphasis on the severe oppres- sion its members have experienced at the instigation of the authorities in

Desde el corazon de IRAN

Iran — the land of the Faith's birth — since its inception in the middle of the soth century,

The book, titled Desde el corazon de Tran — Los Bahdis: La esperanza optimida (From the Heart of ren — The Bahdis: Oppressed Hope), has recently been published by Erasmus Ediciones, Itis one of the first major works written in Spanish about the genesis and persecution of the Bahét community in Iran.

‘Mr, Cerrato’s book has been describedin one review as a “deflly handled, well-documented and pan- oramicjourney”

‘The reviewer, Enrique Cordoba — acolumnist for EI Nuevo Herald — wrote, “I celebrate that Cerrato has published this book...for those who ‘want to inform themselves of a doo. trine that should be studied”

Cerrato, continued on pagers

ONE COUNTRY �