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[Page 1]

Newsletter of the = Bahd International Community

‘March 2012-May 2012 Volume 22, Issue 2

Inside this issue

page 2,

Perspective: The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty eradication

oo 4

In Morocco, a symposium explores religion, spirituality and education

ae O

Inequality between rich and poor highlighted by UN roundtable

oe

In chile, construction of

House of worship reaches a milestone

ve 16

Review: tranian Taboo — a documentary film by Reza Allamehzadeh

jJONE COUNTRY

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

lran’s justice system deeply flawed, says UN special investigator

ENEVA.— Last year, the UN Human Rights Council decided to appoint a new independent investigator to monitor human rights in Iran, after nine years without one.

‘This March that investigator made his first full reportto the Coundil, offering not only a sharp critique of Iran’s fallure to meet international human rights standards, but also a stern indictment of the country’s justice system,

“Violations of due process rights are chronic, reducing the likelihood of a far trial.” wrote Ahmed Shaheed, the new Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, "A number of vaguely defined security provisions within the Islamic Penal Code are applied in ways that contravene international human rights law and unduly limit freedom of expression, asso cation and assembly" he said,

About two weeks ater, on 22 March, the Coundil voted overwhelmingly to extend Dr, Shaheed’s mandate, by a vote of 22 to 5, with 20 abstentions,

“This result is a clear indication of the Counail’s concern over Iran's abysmal record on human rights." said Diane Ale}, the Rahat International Community’ representa- tive to the United Nationsin Geneva,

Asthe new Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Dr. Shaheed's opinion carries considerable weight with the international community. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Maldives, Dr, Shaheed hasbeen a strong advocate for human rights thr oughout the world,

Shaheed, continued on page s2

Ahmed Shaheed, the LIN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran. A former foreign minister of the Maldives, Dr. Shaheed was. appointed to his post in June 2011. (UN photo Rick Bajomas) [Page 2]PERS PE C T

The empowerment of rural women and

their role in poverty

and hunger eradication,

development and current challenges

IN BRIEF

= Women’s empowerment begins with the understanding that the equality of women and men is more than a desired condition to be achieved for the common good; it is a dimension of human reality.

= Current world economic and political structures tend to divide the world into producers and users of knowledge.

= Yet, as the right of every human being, access to knowledge promotes meaningful and informed participation in decision-making. " Itis imperative that educational processes assist rural women and girls to see themselves as active agents of their own learning.

2. | March-May 2012

[Editor’s note: The following Perspective is adapted from the statement of the Bahai International Community to

the 56th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which was held 27 February-9 March 2012.]

he critical role of women in

advancing agricultural and

rural development, and in en-

suring food security, has been widely acknowledged. Member States have committed to providing rural women with equal access to productive resources and to markets — recogniz- ing their agency in rural and agricul- tural development. Despite progress made, rural women continue to have low levels of income, sparse access to education and health services, limited job security as well as limited land and inheritance rights. Again and again, their needs as well as their contribu- tions are relegated to the margins of policy development and budgetary considerations. In addition to the entrenched patterns of discrimination, unsustainable development practices, climate change, and violence against women intensify the burden placed on women and their families.

When viewed in the broader con- text, the situation of rural women is but one of the symptoms of a social or- der characterized by inequity, violence and insecurity. As such, the vision of women’s empowerment must go be- yond making room for women to par- ticipate in society within the present social order, as this will not suffice to end the marginalization of rural popu- lations and the entrenched patterns of discrimination against women. The

empowerment of women requires pro- found changes in the minds and hearts of people and in the very structures of society. It begins with the understand- ing that the equality of women and men is more than a desired condition to be achieved for the common good; it isa dimension of human reality. In those aspects that make human beings human, women and men are funda- mentally equal. The goal at hand, then, is not only the empowerment of wom- en for the advancement of agriculture and rural life; it is the full engagement of women with men in the construc- tion of a new social order. Though marginalized by present-day economic and development frameworks, women are neither victims nor simply under- resourced members of society. In fact, they represent the greatest source of untapped potential in the global effort to eradicate poverty and advance col- lective prosperity.

How, then, can we conceive of empowerment in a way that will begin to transform the current economic order and the condition of its rural women? We offer three considerations, which address access to knowledge, the nature of full participation, and the importance of exploring diverse economic arrangements.

First, access to knowledge is the right of every human being. Yet the patterns of knowledge generation and diffusion in the current world order tend to divide the world into produc- ers and users of knowledge. This has deep implications for the quality and legitimacy of education, technology, decision-making, and governance. For example, despite the fact that most ag- ricultural work in developing countries [Page 3]is carried out by low-income women, the primary shapers and users of agri- cultural technologies have been men, Ackey challenge ishow to strengthen ‘women’s capacities to identify techno- logical needs, and to create and adapt technologies in light of social needs and resource constraints, Reforming the present flow of knowledge — from ‘North’ to "South's from urban to rural; from men to wonen — will free development from narrowly conceived

conceptions of “inodernization.”

Patterns of knowledge generation and diffusion in

the current world order divide the world into producers

and users of knowledge. This has deep implications for

the quality and legitimacy of education, technology, dedsion- making, and governanoa,

Second, access to knowledge promotes meaningful and informed participation in decision-making at the family, community and higher levels, of social administration, Thus, while social action may involve the provision of goodsand services in some form, itsprimary concern must be to build capacity within a given population to participate in creating a better world, Itis imperative, then, that the educa- tional process associated with stich capacity-building assist rural wornen and girls to see themselves as active agents oftheir own learning, asthe driving force of an ongoing effort to apply knowledge to improve their own material and spiritual condition and to contribute to the betterment of their communities,

Third, the increased flows of goods, services, capital and labor within exist- ing structures and processes benefit only avery few at the expense of many. This has given rise to the impover- ishment of rural communities, the exploitation of vulner able populations — women and children in particular — and the devastation of the envi- ronment, Such economic pressures have also led to the disappearance of diversified, ecologically sustainable

umconecountyong

Avworan farmer at the farmer's market in Cappadocia, Turkey. The image was taken by photographer Mick Minard as part of an effort, known as Suzanne's Project, that seeks to train Turkish women farmers on the best practices and basic stills to sustain and scale profitable agricultural businesses. Ms. Minard presented the project and a visual narrative to report on the projects social impact on 1 March 2012 at the offices of the Baha International Community as part of a side event to the Seth UN Commission on the Status of Women, For more, see “Forum at UN discusses role of rural women fatmers,” page 5. (Photograph © Mick Minas)

small-scale agriculture, mostly found in rural areas, greatly impacting wom- en who carry out the bulk of the work, Local econotnies that have historically valued collective well-being over com- petition and individual shave grown increasingly insecure, To note these realitiesis not to present anaive idea oflocal economies but rather to stress that diverse economic arrangements need to be given space to develop,

This statement has tried to high- light three challenges that need to be addressed in the effort to empower rural women, While many more chal- lengesremain, the Bahét International Community hopes that exploration of these issues can further the discourse on the role of rural women in advanc- ing their own development and that, oftheir communities, Moreover, itis hoped that such exploration will help to link these issues to the broader aim of promoting rural women’s full en- gagement — shoulder to shoulder with, men — in the construction of amore just social order,

Marc May 2012 | 5 [Page 4]

In Morocco, symposium explores religion, spirituality and education

IN BRIEF

An International

Symposium

Spirituality, and Education for Human Flourishing brought together representatives from the world’s religions — including the Bah: Faith.

= Co-convened by the Guerrand- Hermés Foundation for Peace and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the symposium focused on how young people can be better educated about religion and spirituality, in order to address such issues as injustice and environmental degradation.

4 | March-Way 2012

ARRAKECH, Morocco — What is spirituality? How can religious education encourage it? And what role do both religion and spirituality play in fostering human well-being?

‘Those were among the questions considered by representatives from the world’s religions — including Ming Hwee Chong of the Bah International Community — at the “International Symposium on Religion, Spirituality, and Education for Human Flourishing” held here 24- 26 February 2012.

The event — co-convened by the Guerrand-Hermés Foundation for Peace (GHEP) and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations — encour- aged discussion about how young people can be better educated about religion and spirituality, in order to address such present-day issues as

economic injustice and environmental degradation

“The world today is facing a series of unprecedented challenges,” said Scherto Gill, secretary general of GHEP and convener of the sympo- sium. “At the same time, we are also faced with tremendous opportuni- ties, where humans can unite and live together in global solidarity with each other, within a greater global commu- nity that works towards the common good”

‘To meet such challenges and maxi- mize opportunities, she said, the world needs to redefine its concept of “hu- man flourishing” away from a purely economic growth model to one that includes concepts of justice, spiritual- ity and an understanding of wider community.

“Meaning, connectedness, and mor- al ethics are derived from the spiritual

Participants from the world’s religions attended the “International Symposium on Religion, Spirituality, and Education for Human Flourishing” held in Marrakech, 24-26 February 2012.

ONE COUNTRY [Page 5]dimension of being human,” satd Dr, Gill, "So there is a pressing need to educate in order to develop a deeper awareness of the spiritual dimensions of our lives”

Participants described the sympo- sium as thought-provoking and inspir- ing, Among them, Jocelyn Armstrong —a New Zealand-based educator — said ithelped her to understand the importance of taking a holistic ap- proach to religious education.

"You can discuss issues like honesty and integrity in the classroom, and then look at how religions encourage those virtues” she said, “or how reli- goons value the environment.”

Diane Evans, chaplain at Hereford Sixth Form College in the United Kingdom, said correct knowledge is often lacking about religious beliefs "The more we can come together to talk about how to improve religious education, the more we can hopefully put into place programs that can eradi- cate a lot of the tensions,” she satd.

‘The deliberations were inspired by 20 papers submitted by the par- ticipants, including a working docu- ment from the Bahél International Community (RIC) which explored how concepts of religion and “human flourishing" can be better integrated into education,

“This led to a discussion about the difference between religious education and spiritual education,” said the BIC representative, Ming Hwee Chong

“Itis only through education that the latent potential of every human being can develop, be expressed, and ultimately serve to benefitthe indi- vidual and his or her community" said ‘Mr, Chong

EEE 66 t Forum at UN discusses role of rural women farmers

Alice Kachere of the National Smallh older Farmers’ Association of Malawi (eft) and Cesarie Kantarama, a Rwandan farmer, participated in an interactive forum on “Building Capacity among Global Rural Women,” held 1 March at the United Nations offices ofthe Baha Internation l Community in New York.

EW YORK — Listening to

and supporting rural wornen.

isfundamental to ending

poverty and hunger, and achieving peace and development that is sustainable

That was the message from Michelle Rachelet, executive director of UN ‘Women, who opened the annual UN, Commission on the Status of Women here on 27 February 2102,

‘The main theme ofthe seth Commission was "the empowerment ofrural women and their role in pov- erty and hunger eradication, develop- ment and current challenges”

‘To supportthe theme, the Bahai International Community issued a statement [see page 2] and hosted a fo- rum on 1 March, co-sponsored by the ‘World Farmers Organization (WFO), offering a space for rural women. farmersto share their experiences,

The story of one — Cesarie Kantarama from Reranda — was typi- cal of the challengesthat face many of

them, When she started out she had little land and no capital or support, “But once [joined the women farmers association, I started to get training and knowledge which reinforced my confidence; said Ms, Kantarama, "It really starts when you are amember of an organization that gives you the con- fidence to seek out other opportunities and feel productive”

‘The importance of accessto knowl- edge was reinforced by Alice Kachere of the National Smallholder Farmers’ Acsociation of Malawi, "You can give women better seeds, butif they dont know how to use those seeds, it means nothing," she sald.

‘WFO president Robert Carlson emphasized Michelle Bachelet’s point about the importance of careful listen- ing, "We cant impose our views of whet rural women farmersneed,” he said. "There has to be some local in- volvement that gives direction on how their needs are to be assisted, They need to set their goals”

March- May 2012 [Page 6][woveery SaeOneaTOOe)

Inequality

highlighted by UN roundtable

Ming Hwee Chong pictured center, representative of the Baha Intemation al Community to the United Nations, addresses panel disaussion held at the UN as part of this year's session of the Commission for Sodal Development. Pidured

far left is lomo Kwame Sundaram, UN Assistant Secretary General

for Economic Development.

IN BRIEF

+ Inequalities between the rich and poor have grown worldwide, demanding a critical re-thinking of traditional approaches to poverty eradication.

Ata side event

to the 2012 UN Commission for Sodal Development, Panelists discussed structural causes of such inequities, including the commodification of man and nature”

ABIC statement

on the issue said relationships of dominance in the world contribute to such inequalities.

6 | March- May 2012

NITED NATIONS — While

the economic crisis hasled many to focus on inequalities at the national level, the gap between rich and poor internationally has widened — and also needsto be examined.

‘That was among the themes raised ata roundtable discussion on 1 February 2012, held aspart of the soth. session of the Commission for Social Development, which ran 1-10 February and focused on the priority theme of “poverty eradication”

‘Titled "Equitable Societies: A Roundtable Discussion on the Underlying Assumptions of the Relationship between Poverty and Wealth,” the event was organized by the Bahéf International Community (BIC) and co-sponsored by ATD Fourth World.

Held in UN Conference Room D, the discussion brought together top- level UN diplomats, officials from UN agencies, and representatives of non- governmental organizations,

Ambassador Jorge Valero — Permanent Representative for

between rich and poor

‘Veneauela to the UN and Chair of the Commission for Social Development — blamed growing inequality on the excesses of global capitalism,

“Inequality and poverty, climate change and the destruction of ecosys- tems are outstanding issues on the in- ternational agenda,” said Ambassador Valero.

"These calamities can only be ef- fectively addr essed by attacking the structural causes that generate therm: a consumerist, selfish and predatory global system that is based on the commodification of man and nature”

Jomo Kwame Sundaram, UN Acsistant Secretary General for Economic Development, said that while the issue of inequality is often examined from the national viewpoint, two-thirds of global inequality stems from differences between countries,

International differences are "very, very stark” he said, noting that such inequalities have increased over the last three decades.

"The big promise of financial globalization was that if you ease restrictions, there will be a free flow

ONE COUNTRY [Page 7]of capital, and it will flow from rich to poor. This didn't happen, Capital flowed uphill, from the poor to the rich" said Dr, Sundaram,

Other participants in the panel induded: Isabel Crtiz, associate director of policy and practice at UNICEF, Christine Bockstal, chief ofthe technical cooperation and country operations group for the social security department of the International Labour Organization; and Sara Burke, a senior policy analyst at Friedrich-Ebert-stiftung,

Dr, Ortiz reported that the top 20 percent of the world’ population has

more than Bo percent ofthe world’s Among the top-level LIN diplomats brought together for a discussion income — but the poorest 20 per- on Wednesday 1 February 2012 was Ambassador Jorge Valero, pictured cent have less than one percent of the left, Pernanent Representative for Venezuela to the UN and chair of global income the Commission for Social Development. also present were Christine

“National redistribution isnot

Bodkstal, center, of the International Labour Organization; and Sara enough to address inequality," she said, Burke, right, senior policy analyst at Friedrich-Ebert-Stitung.

“There isa strong link between high income inequality and social unrest and economic instability.”

“National redistribution Is not enough to address Inequality. There is a strong link between high Income Inequality and social unrest and economic instability”

= Isabel Ortiz, associate director of policy and practice at UNICEF

In his remarks, Ming Hwee Chong ofthe Bahdf International Community drew attention to recentremarks made by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon about income inequality at all levels increasing over the last 25 years, posing a serious barrier world- ‘wide to poverty eradication and social integration.

‘Mr, Chong said critical questions need to be asked regar ding the rela- tionship between poverty eradication and the economic extremes that now eaist in the world,

Introducing a BIC statement pre- pared for the Commission, Mr, Chong noted that relationships of dominance

umconecountyong

— one nation over another, one race over another, or one class or gender over another — contribute to inequita- ble accessto resources and knowledge.

‘The statement also expresses con- cern that a "inaterialistic worldview, which underpinsmuch ofmodern economicthinking, reduces concepts of value, human purpose and human interactions to the self-interested pur- suit of material wealth."

‘Mr, Chong said that while much attention has been paid to the political, policy and transactional dimensions of the current crisis the aim of the dis- cussion was to collaborate on “creating a space to dig deeper in order to bring to the surface some of the underlying assumptions that shape our economic and so al reality"

[Note: the full BIC statement to the Conamission can be read online at: nttps//www.bic orgéstatements/initial- considerations-regarding-elimination- extremes-poverty-and-wealth ]

March-May2012 | 7 [Page 8]

In Chile, construction of House of Worship reaches important milestone

Acomputer-generated rendition of the Baha House of Worship under construction in Santiago, Chile, simulating how it will appear at dusk. @mage © Hariri Pontarini Architects}

IN BRIEF

+ When completed, the Baha House of Worship in Chile will be the last such temple erected to serve an entire continent.

Its innovative

design consists of nine translucent elements that rise from the ground, floating over a reflecting pool, to be set in the hills of Pefialolén, Santiago, at the foot of the Andes.

8 | March-May 2012

ANTIAGO, Chile — A signifi- cant milestone has been reached in the building of the Bahét House of Worship here with

the signing of contracts essential to its

construction.

‘The innovative design for the ‘Temple consists of nine tranducent ements thatrise from the ground — siving the impression of floating over a reflecting pool — and meet ata central ails, 30 meters above,

‘The Temple is to be built in the hills of Pefialolén, Santiago, at the foot of the Andes, Excavation and grading work for the foundation and plaza, begun in November 2010, has been completed ahead of schedule

‘The building’s skeletal framework vill support 500 tons of exterior and interior cladding, The outer surface will consist of 3,000 square meters of panelsmade with an entirely new

method of casting glass, Some 2,000 square meters of robotically cut and carved translucent marble will create a luminousinterior ceiling,

‘When completed, the Bahai House of Worship in Chile will be the last such temple erected to serve an entire continent, There are seven other Bahd¥ Houses of Worship in the world, in Australia, Germany, India, Panama, Samoa, Uganda, andthe United States, each designated to serve a continental region.

‘After 10 months of tendering and negotiation, the contract for the super- structure and cladding was awarded on 16 February to Gartner Steel and Glass GmbH, Based in Germany, the company is well-known for develop- ing and constructing complex three dimensional structures,

“We have reached a wonder- ful moment," said Siamak Hariri of [Page 9]the Canadian firm Hariri Pontarini Architects, “The fulfillment of eight years of research, design develop- ment, engineering, the preparation of complete tender documentsin both, Spanish and English, inventing and casting the glass — all of this alongside finding and purchasing a marvel-

ous site and preparing the necessary permits”

“We had to prove to ourselves and the fabricators that constructing this building was not only achievable, but that it was achievable under very complex design constraints, budgetary limitations and severe seismic condi- tions?" said Mr, Hariri,

State-of-the-art computational modeling and analysis had to be used to enhance the resistance of the temple to severe earthquakes,

“The geometry and the curvature make this building very complex, each element acting together with the others” he said. "Glass and stone are so brittle and the tolerances are so tight, All the joints are recessed which, means the system has to be very stiff and completely water-tight, But the foundation has to deal with any rapid movemnentsin the earth.”

Along with the contract for the superstructure and cladding, other important contracts have also recently been signed, The construction of the foundation of the building and all con- crete work was awarded on 30 January to Chilean contractor, Ferndndez Wood Constructora S.A, On 7 February, Paris-based EDM-Projets was signed to provide the interior dadding

Siamak Hariri attributes the prog- ressmade so far to "an excellent team dynamic at play on the project”

New book and website

In atelated development, anew book and website have been launched to meet growing interest in the Temple and what itrepresents,

The book, Donde Brille Le Luz (Where the Light Shines"), includes reflections on the impact that the House of Worship is intended to make on the surrounding society, It has been written by Daniel Duhart of Chile,

On 23 January 2012, the Baha! House of Worship Projed. Team was joined at the construction site by projed: consultants from Canada and Chile, as well as the contractors from Gartner Steel and Glass GmbH. and Fernandez Wood

Construdora S.A.

Helen Mirkovitch-Kohin of Costa Rica and Jairo Roldan of Colombia,

“All three of ushave a common love for Latin America and its destiny.” said Mr, Duhart, noting that the book reflects on the needs of the continent and how the Bah¥ teachings can contribute towards endeavors in Latin America aimed at building ajust and unified society.

Also providing information is anew website in Spanish, Portuguese and English at http://templo.bahai.cl

“The site provides facts about the building's design and construction,

offers a contact page and a section about the Bahé Faith and itsteadh- ings, and answers frequently asked questions about the Temple and the concepts that inspire it,

“There is a growing realization that the construction of this Temple repre- sents more than just an extraordinary building," said Mr, Duhart. "Parallel to this, there is another construction process going on — of community building, in which increasing numbers of all ages are advancing together on a path of service to humanity”

A computer generated section al view of the Baha House of Worship, under construction in Santiago, Chile, showing the relationship between the buildings superstructure and

cladding. (image © Hariri Pontarini

Architects)

March-May 2012 | 9 [Page 10]

Persecution intensifies as anniversary of imprisonment of Baha’i leaders is marked

In London, a mobile billboard calling for freedom for Iran's seven Baha! leadets approaches the historic Westminster Abbey on 1 April 2012 The display was part of a worldwide campaign, sponsored by Unitedalran, to mark the combined total of 10,000 days that the seven Baha prisoners had altogether spent in confinement since their arrests in 2008, Mobile billboards were also displayed in

11 other major world cities.

IN BRIEF

+ This tay marked the fourth anniversary of the wrongful arrest and imprisonment seven Iranian Baha leaders.

= Their 20-year sentences are the longest for any prisoner of conscience in Iran.

= Governments, human rights groups, prominent persons,

and people of good will worldwide have expressed concer over their plight, and that of six imprisoned Baha‘t educators and the other 90-some Baha‘ts currently in Iranian jails.

xo | March- May 2012

ENEVA — In May, seven former leaders of the Iranian

Bah community began their

fifth year in prison amid an intensification of the persecution of their co-religionists

‘The seven prisoners each face the bleak prospect of 16 more years in jail for crimesthey did not commit,

‘The month of May also marked the first anniversary of raids on homes of Bahéis associated with an informal initiative offering higher education to community members barred from uni- versity by the government because of their religious beliefs, Nine educators later received harsh prison sentences,

‘The detention and conviction of these and other Bahéisisa reflection ofthe oppression fadng all Iranians who desire freedom and the progress oftheir country, said the Universal House of Justice in an 11 May 2012 let- ter to the Bahis of Iran,

Inthe letter, the international gov- erning body of the worldwide Bahai ‘community noted how the intensifying uelty towards the Iranian Bahéf com- munity is now also engulfing children, Amongrecent attacks, the letter high- lighted the confinement in prison for a

few days of a two-year old boy with his, mother, the beating and burning of the hand of a school pupil by her teacher after the girl did not take partin con- _gtegational prayers, and the violent ab- duction by offidals of amother before the eyes of her two young children,

“From schoolchildren to the elderly, from the seven former lead- ersto ordinary villagers, no Bahé¥ in Iran is spared the cruel and calculated persecution which the Iranian gov- ernment andits agents are constantly devising” said Diane Alai, the Bahgi International Community's representa tive to the United Nations in Geneva,

‘The seven Bahéishave been given the longest sentences — 20 years each — of any of the prisoners of con- sclence currently held in Iranian jails, ‘Ms, Alai said, “Conditions are harsh with poor food and bad sanitation and most of them have experienced signifi- cant health problems, Yet during these four years, not one of them has been. granted any type of furlough — some- thing to which a prisoner is entitled ‘under Iranian lave"

‘The Universal House of Justice observed that, over the past year,

ONE COUNTRY [Page 11]governments and organizationshave continued to defend the rights of Bahéfs and other oppressed Iranians, Among stich supporters, statesmen and officals, including Muslim politi- cians in both the East and the West, civil agencies, universities and promi- nent personalitieshave declared the persecution of Bahgisto be unjust and have called for itto cease,

Continuing global outcry

Recent action has included the ‘unanimous passing of a resolution in the United States Senate on 29 March call- ing for the release of the seven leaders,

Three days|ater, the plight of the prisoners captured the public’ atten- tion in 12 of the world’ major cities, when widespread publicity organized by Unitedglran marked the combined total of 10,000 days that the seven had spent behind bars,

On 14 May, the Canadian House of Commons held a debate on human rights in Iran, and many MPs focused on the case oftthe seven,

‘The seven former leaders, who were members of an ad-hocnational-level sgoup that attended to the spiri- tual and social needs of Iran’s Bahai community, are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz

a) Mes ——

On 18 September 2011, tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil — an example ofthe activities taken by ordinary people around the world in defense of the Bahdils of iran and the prindple of religious freedom,

‘Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfah, Ms, Sabet was detained on 5 March 2008. Her six colleagues were arrested in raids on their homes on 14 May 2008,

During six brief court sessions, devoid of due legal process, the seven faced trumped-up charges that were all rejected completely and categorically by the defendants,

‘The five men are beingheld at Gohardasht prison, same 50 kilometers ‘west of Tehran. The two women are in Evin prison in the capital,

In May 2011, some 3g homes of Bahéis associated with the Baht

In New Delhi, campaigners from Unitadairan, the Trans Asia Alliance and the Asian Canter for Human Rights joined Bahds in a peaceful march on Sunday 1 April actoss the dty, calling for the release of iran‘s jailed seven Bahai leaders. Following the march, the group gathered at the dty’s farnous Red Fort.

Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) were raidedin a coordinated attack Educator Kamran Mortezaie is now serving a five-year jail term, Mahmoud Badavamn, Noushin Khadem, Farhad Sedghi, Riaz Sobhani and Ramin Zibaie are each serving four-year prison sentences, The judgments against them cast their activitiesin support of BIHE as crimes and as "evidence" of their purported aim to subvert the State, Two psychology teachers — Faran Hesarni and her husband Kamran Rahirnian — ‘were also sentenced to four years but are out awaiting appeal, Another BIHE administrator, Vahid Mahmoudi, was released om 8 Jantiary 2012 after his five- ‘year sentence was reportedly suspended. In March, the Committee on International Freedom of Scientists of the American Physical Sodety ap- pealed for their immediate release Since August 2004, some 556 Bahdis have been arrested in Iran, There are more than 100 Iranian Bahéts current- ly in prison because of their religion, ‘The cases of more than 350 other Bahdis are still active with authorities “Blind prejudice and superstition pervades Iran today and irreparable damage hasbeen done to the name and reputation of Islam," said Ms, Als “We weloome and join with every effort made by people of good will — both in Iran and around the world — to con- damn the extent and violence of the op- pressions faced by the people of Iran”

March-May 2012

[Page 12]H UM AN a

First report of the new UN Special Rapporteur says Iran's justice system is deeply flawed

IN BRIEF

In his first full report to the

UN Human Rights Council, the new Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran sharply criticized the country’s justice system.

Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, denied access to Iran, relied on some 140 witnesses,

who described numerous legal injustices, such as extended solitary confinement, limited access to legal defense, and

a lack of formal charges.

His report and a new report from the UN Secretary- General helped convince the Council to extend Dr. Shaheed’s mandate, by an overwhelming majority

Both reports

also mentioned extensive violations against Iranian Baha‘is.

12 | March-May 2012

Shaheed, continued from page one

In 2009, Dr. Shaheed received the Muslim Democrat of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution in the field at the 10th Annual Conference of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy.

More than 140 witnesses

In his presentation to the Council, Dr. Shaheed noted that Iran had de- nied his request to visit the country as part of his investigation. Accordingly, his report relied on the testimony of more than 140 witnesses.

“In many cases, witnesses reported that they were arrested for activities protected by international law, and that they were detained in solitary con- finement for prolonged periods with no access to legal counsel or family members, and in the absence of formal charges,” Dr. Shaheed said on 12 March 2012, in a speech to the Council.

“Several stated that they were subjected to prison conditions that fall well below the minimum standards defined by the UN, such as severe overcrowding, inadequate access to water, insufficient prisoner segregation practices, extremely poor quality and unhygienic facilities, hazardous ven- tilation conditions, insufficient access to medical services, paltry nutritional provisions,” he said.

His report also noted a dramatic increase in the number of executions carried out in the Islamic Republic — more than 600 during the year 20n, many for crimes not considered seri- ous under international law. Iranian authorities have also stepped up their detention of journalists and lawyers, he said, and continued their persecu- tion of ethnic and religious minorities.

The Council's vote on 22 March also followed the release of a new report from

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the situation of human rights in Iran.

In that document, Mr. Ban set out a long list of new or recent violations, including allegations of the use of torture, summary executions, and the persecution of religious minorities.

“The Secretary-General is deeply troubled by reports of increased num- bers of executions including in public, executions of juvenile offenders, amputations, flogging, arbitrary arrest and detention, unfair trials, torture and ill-treatment, and the crackdown on media professionals, film makers, human rights defenders, lawyers and opposition activists,” the report said.

Mr. Ban also expressed concern over Iraris failure to cooperate with UN investigators. He reported that Iran had last year responded only once to 17 communications sent by Special Procedures mandate holders like Dr. Shaheed and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

The situation of Baha’is

Both reports highlighted the situa- tion of Bahdais.

Dr. Shaheed said Baha’is continue to be arbitrarily arrested and detained for their beliefs, in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Baha@is are also sub- jected to “severe socio-economic pres- sure,” facing deprivations of “property, employment and education”

Mr. Ban’s report recounted efforts of UN officials like Dr. Shaheed to raise the issue of mistreatment and discrim- ination against Iranian Bahé‘is, noting in particular their “concern regarding the personal security of seven Bahai community leaders, who were sen- tenced to 20 years in prison in 2011”

The 12 March Council session also offered an interactive dialogue between the Special Rapporteur and Human Rights Council members. Dr. [Page 13]Shaheed’s concerns were promptly echoed by a majority of the nations addressing the session, And some 15 countries specifically highlighted the situation of Iran’ Babis,

Braal’s delegate, Jodo Genésio de Almeida Filho, satd his government ‘was concerned about “allegations of the systematic perseaution of members of ‘unrecognized religious communities, particularly the Bahét cormmunity."

Veronika Stromsikova, delegate of the Czech Republic, said her country concurred with Dr, Shaheed’s observa- tion that "the government’ tolerance ofan intensive defamation campaign against members of the Baha commu- nity incites discrimination” in breach of international treaties, a reference to Iran’ state-sponsored campaign of demonizing Rahdisin the media

Bani Dugal, the principal repre- sentative ofthe Baha International Community to the United Nations, told the Couneil on 12 March that Bahéfs in Iran today face ‘mnultiple violations, across the entire spectrum of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights" running “literally from Kindergarten to the grave.”

“We also agree with your presenta tion of the underlying obstacles," she said, addressing Dr. Shaheed, “includ ing elements of the legal framework and lack of adherence to the rule of law — none of which are being ad- dressed by the government.”

“As you dearly state, impunity con- tinues to prevail in Iran, and certain individuals are exempted from laws and regulations meant to restrain the abuse of power, said Ms, Dugal.

On 22 Mardh, just before the vote to extend Dr, Shaheed’ mandate, Iran's ambassador had told the Coundl that his country has been wrongly accused of human rights violations, and that it only seeks to cooperate with the international ‘community — statements that were dearly rejected when the Coundl voted.

“Very few countries would now dare to say there are not serious viola tions of human rights in Iran," said Ms, Alai, "What the world wants isreal answers from the Iranian authorities — not lip service about cooperation or baseless attacks againstthe Special Rapporteur”

UK government launches “year of service” initiative at Bahai center

UK Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles MP, answers questions ftom a radio reporter about “A Year of Service,” a government-sponsored initiative to encourage voluntary service by the UK's nine major faith communities. The launch and first volunteering day of the program. was held atthe national Bahd't center in London on 28 February 2012

ONDON — A government. sponsored initiative to encourage people of all beliefs to help irm- iprove their local neighborhoods

was launched at the national Baha¥

center here in February,

‘The program, titled "A Year of Service," aims to recognize the role of faith in inspiring charitable work and promote collaboration between the United Kingdom's nine major faith communities — Bahéf, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Jewish, Hindu, Mustim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian,

‘Twelve special volunteering days are being held during 2012, each of them opinciding with an existing religious festival and focusing on a distinct theme for community action,

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles ‘MP, joined faith leaders and guests of all ages for the launch and first volunteering day on 28 February at 27 Rutland Gate in London — the

national Bahéi center, The occa- sion also marked the annual Bahai Intercalary Days, a period specifically dedicated to service and hospitality

"A Year of Service is a wonderful cele- bration of thepractical contribution that faith groupsmaketo enrich their neigh- borhoods and improve the lives of those around them: Mf, Pidtles said ahead of thelaunch, "We would be poorer by far without their contribution.."

Some 50 guests ofall faiths assisted in the decorating of cakes and the wrapping of donated clothing and toi- letries, all of which were later distrib- tuted ata church-sponsored shelter for the homeless in the west of London,

Speaking on behalf of the Bahdts of the UK, Kishan Manocha said, "Faith should be a source of joy, of bringing people together in common purpose. ‘We hope that the launch will give vivid expression to these special fruits of faith and inspire us all in our efforts to improve our neighborhoods”

March-May 2012

B [Page 14]

In South Korea, a new translation makes Baha‘ holy writings widely available

Among the Bahd'ls overseeing the publication of Gleanings

from the Whitings of Baha’‘lih

in Korean are, left to right, Won Fill Jung So Jeong Park, Young Kyung Kim and Hee Jin Koo.

IN BRIEF

The Korean Baha‘t

community has now published a full translation of a major book of the Baha sacred writings, the first such in Korean,

+ The work — Gleanings from the Writings of Bahdiu'liéh — is a well-loved compilation that addresses such themes as the purpose of life, the unity of religion, and the spiritual requisites of peace and civilization.

+ The Baha'f sacred writings have been translated into more than 800 languages.

14 | March-May 2012

EOUL, South Korea — An ambi- tious project to translate a collec- tion of Rahat ahs writings into Korean reached fruition with the

book’s publication in February 2012,

The volume, knowm in English as Gleanings from the Writings of Beh du'lish, is the first Bahai book in Korean to be widely available from bookshops and online retailers.

“The main reason for publishing Bahdf literature in our language is to reach out to the whole of society with this new message for humanity” satd Hee Jin Koo, a member of the task force overseeing the publication.

First published in English in 1935, Gleaningsis a well-loved anthology of some of the writings of Bahdulidh, “The selection includes extracts on such themes asthe purpose of life, the unity of religion, and the spiritual requisites of peace and civilization,

‘The Bahéf sacred writings are extensive, amounting to more than 100 volumesin their original Arabic and Persian, Since their revelation in the 19th, century, the Baha writingshave been. translated into more than 800 languages, reaching individualsin virtually every country.

While earlier translations of extracts from Gleanings were previously avall- able in Korean and used by individuals and at Bahai meetings, the need was for amore accurate version that could be made widely available to the Korean public

‘Work began in 2003, A stnall group began meeting to discuss few para- agaphs or pages each week. "A par- tioular challenge wasthe trandlation of certain religiousterms” said So Jeong Park, who worked on the book,

‘Th find a standardized vocabulary, the task force drew on words com- monly used in Korea’ various réligious traditions — induding Buddhism, Christianity and Islam, Por other terms, an original translation had to be devised.

In addition to the 410 pages of Bahdur'léh’ test, the new edition includes a preface on the history and teachings ofthe Bahét Faith and a lengthy glossary. The new book will be available in major bookstores, through Ubraries and universities, and via online retailers — induding asan e-book, “It means everybody can download it onto their own gadget" satd Hee Jin Koo,

ONE COUNTRY [Page 15]Review: Iranian Taboo

Documentary, continued from page s6

he is banned from entering Iran, he managed to gethisfriendsto film deep inside the country, risking their own, safety — and presumably the safety of their subjects, Among the emotion- ally fraught stories they discover is that of a BahaY mother and her 14-year old daughter leaving their homeland because of the persecution, despite their love for — and preference to remain in — Iran, The film documents what awaits Bahdf refugees arriving

in Turkey — cramped and unsanitary living conditions, uncertainty about their future, and a longing for the

land they loved but had little choice but to leave A visit to Bahét graves in the city of Kayseri in central Turkey reveals that pneumonia, poison-

ous furnes and tragic accidents have prematurely claimed the lives of others who fled Iran, seeking freedom from persecution,

Allamehzadeh has also succeeded in getting Interviews with a number of prominent Iranian politicians, authors and academics.

Allamehzadeh has also succeeded in getting interviews with a number of prominent Iranian politicians, authors, and academics, These include Abolhassan Banisadr — who served asthe first president of Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, He recalls one episode in particular in which aban- net was displayed in the main hall of the presidential palace that contained allegations about the "Bahai network, of foreign spies” "So, let's say they have anetwork," Banisadr tells the director, "Mullahs in Iran also have a network, This does not mean that they are spies."

Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi has spoken. out vociferously on behalf of Bahdts, acting astheir defense lawyer. In the

film, she recounts reading the case files, ofthe then seven Bahéi leaders — who ‘were arrested in 2008 — and realizing that there was nothing in the files to support the prosecutor’ allegations against them, "If this case was brought before an impartial judge, he would surely have released them on the first day." she says,

Recently, adds Mrs, Ebadi, her daughter has even been “branded” a Bahéfin the media asa riposte to her mother’s efforts to defend human rights,

Allamehzadeh endshis film by reflecting that anyone in Iran who steps out ofline is accused of being a Bahdf, aword that carriesthe same weight, he suggests, asthe word “comn- munist" did during the United States “McCarthyite" witch hunts, Former president Banisadr points out the irony ofthe fact that the former Shah's secret police at one time even branded the esiled Ayatollah Khomeini a Bahét,

“Tp tum the name of areligion and a faith into an insult in my opinion is the biggest blow the Shiite clergy has delivered to apart of our society." concludes Allam ehzadeh,

Tranian Taboo does not set out to explain the history and beliefs of the Bahai Faith, nor its extraordinary geographic spread in the 2oth century, nor the positive impact its teachings today have on the lives of millions of adherents, their friends and neigh- bors around the world, Neither does it attempt to uncover the roots of the persecution or unpack the numer- ous falsehoods and misconceptions by which Iran justifiesits relentless campaign of oppression, Rather, Reza Allamehzadeh focuses on the scale and scope of this ongoing and often undiscussed violation of human rights, In doing so he is — along with the increasing numbers of his compatriots both inside Iran and abroad — begin- ning to break the taboo that is the film's premise, His only regret, he has said in interviews, is thathe did not do it sooner.

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, New York 10017

USA,

Email: nemuntry@bicorg hitpsfwnconecounty.org

Ffitor: Brad Pokorny

Asso date Editors: Rob Weinberg (Haifa) Sophie Menard (Pars) Kong Siew Huat (Macau) Ralf Wolf (Germany)

Design: Tom Mann

Al material is copyrighted by the Baha International Community and subject ‘wall applicable international copyright Faw Stories fom this neveletter may be republished by any organization provided thatthey are attributed as follows: "Reprinted from ONE COUNTRY, the newsletter ofthe Bahai International Communite”

Printed using soy-based inks on paper from sustainable forests

March 2012-May 2912 | a5 [Page 16]

Ea

The “most personal” and “most difficult” film the director has ever made

Jranlan Taboo: a documentary tite By Reza Allamehzadeh

IN BRIEF

= Anew documentary film by exiled Iranian filmmaker Reza Allamehzadeh explores the long running persecution of Iran‘s Baha‘ts.

+ The film's title comes from the director's realization that even those Iranians who believe Baha'ts should be granted their rights often choose to remain silent.

= Because of this "taboo" surrounding the

subject matter, he calls it one of the “most personal” and "most difficult” films he has ever made.

16 | March-May 2012

nhis 40-year career, Reza

Allamehzadeh has never shied

away from exploring the darker

side of life in Iran, making docu- mentaries that have resulted in consid- erable per sonal risk for the filmmaker, In 1979, hisfilm Speak up, Turkmen exposed the violent conflict between the army of the new Islamic Republic and poorly organized Turkmen tribes- men, After fleeing to Europe where he still resides, Allamehzadeh made The Guests of Hotel Astoria (1988), the story ofa group of Iranian asylum seekers escaping to Turkey. It was selected for the Venice, Moscow, Montreal and Chicago film festivals, The Night after the Revolution (1983) reviewed Iran’ history of censorship, while in Holy Crime (1994), he investigated a wave of murders of Iranian opposition figures in Europe.

‘With his latest feature-length docu mentary, the director’s commitment to exposing subjects the Iranian regime would rather gloss over shows no sign of abating, In Iranian Taboo, he focuses his attention on the history of persecu- tion faced by Iran's Bahai minority, puzzling over the fact that even those Iranians who believe Bahdts should be granted their rights often choose to remain silent about the matter — hence the film’stitle, The documentary, whichis in English and Fars with subtitles, has s0 far been screened in major North American cities and some European venues

Describing it as the “mnost per- sonal” and "inost difficult" film he has ever made, the director ranges widely across seven decades during which sporadic outbursts of state-approved persecution culminated in the relent- less oppression of Bahéisnow meted out by the Islamic Republic, Among the incidents he recounts are: the

brutal murder in 1942 of a highly respected Bahai doctor, whose killers walked away free men, later hailed

as heroes; the 1955 wave of violence against BahaYsinstigated by a populist preacher with the permission of the Shabs years of attacks on the villagers of Ivel, where even the Bahéi-owmed cows were separated from those reared by Muslim farmers; the early days

of the currentregime when the false charge that Bahdls were Zionist spies restilted in some 200 executions; the 2008 arrests of seven Iranian Bahay leaders, now each serving a 20-year jail term on trumped-up charges; and the recent attacks on the Bahéi Institute for Higher Education, a community initiative to assist young Bahéis barred from university because of their religion,

‘The courage of Allamehzadeh and his associates in making this film isto be applauded, In spite of the fact that

Documentary, continued on page ss

ONE COUNTRY �