Effects of Baha’i persecutions

Press, 24 September 1983, Page 13

Effects of Baha’i persecutions

Persecutions of members of the Baha’i faith in Iran have had ramifications in Christchurch.

A Christchurch woman found last week that her brother had been arrested in Iran and she is worried he may share the same fate as her father, who was executed several months ago.

Since Ayotallah Khomeiny became the leader of Iran, Baha’i followers have been actively persecuted. It is believed about 140 have been executed since 1978.

Iranians living outside their country were afraid to express their opposition for fear of retribution to family and relatives still in Iran, the Christchurch woman said. She did not want to be identified for this reason. Last month it was announced in Iran that it was a criminal act to belong to the Baha’i Assembly. “It is outrageous to deny a religious body basic human rights to worship together, to observe their holy days, and to educate

their children,” said the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand Baha’is, Mrs Barbara McLellan.

“The ban not only affects the religious and educational life of the Baha’is but leaves the Baha’i community utterly defenceless against the whims of the Government.

“In the past it was the Baha’i Assembly in each town which made representations to the Government whenever one of its com-

munity members was arrested, or the children kidnapped, among other acts designed to eliminate the Baha’i faith from Iran, Mrs McLellan said. Baha’is were loyal and obedient to their govern-

ment in whatever country they resided, she said. The purpose of an assembly was to stimulate, co-ordinate, and unify the varied activities of a Baha’i community. These activities were designed to promote the oneness of mankind.