The Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding, Inc. (CCIU), founded in 1994 with a commitment to mutual understanding and respect for all religious traditions, strongly condemns the Government of Iran for its "sham" trial of seven Baha'i leaders who have been imprisoned since the April of 2008. It appears that the Iranian Government is once again using its courts as an instrument of religious persecution in blatant violation of international human rights law.
CCIU calls on the Iranian Government to cease the long-time, state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority. Some 300,000 Baha'is live throughout Iran, making the Baha'i Faith the country's largest minority religion. The persecution of Baha'is in Iran has been taking place since the religion began there in the mid-nineteenth century, and more than 200 Baha'is have been killed or executed since the Islamic Republic of Iran came to power in 1979. In addition to the seven Baha'i leaders, there are 40 other Baha'is in Iranian prisons solely for their religious beliefs.
CCIU calls for a just, fair, and open trial respecting all international standards and obligations, including allowing independent observation of the judicial proceedings.
CCIU calls on the Iranian Government to cease the long-time, state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority. Some 300,000 Baha'is live throughout Iran, making the Baha'i Faith the country's largest minority religion. The persecution of Baha'is in Iran has been taking place since the religion began there in the mid-nineteenth century, and more than 200 Baha'is have been killed or executed since the Islamic Republic of Iran came to power in 1979. In addition to the seven Baha'i leaders, there are 40 other Baha'is in Iranian prisons solely for their religious beliefs.
CCIU calls for a just, fair, and open trial respecting all international standards and obligations, including allowing independent observation of the judicial proceedings.