Iran: Information on the Bahais since 1988, including whether the Iranian authorities have discriminated against them, on their military service status and on their abilities to obtain passports

A professor of sociology specializing in Iranian issues at Concordia University in Montreal provided the following information on the above subjects during a telephone interview on 5 February 1996.

Bahais form the only religious minority in Iran whose overall situation is "very bad." The reason lies in the fact that from a religious viewpoint, it is unacceptable for the government to recognize the Bahai faith, unlike other religious groups, as a religion.

Regarding the issuance of passports to the Bahais, Iranian passport applicants are required to identify their religion in their application forms. Passports are not issued to those applicants who specify their religion as Bahaism. To receive a passport, some Bahais identify Islam as their religion in the application forms. Others, who are very committed to their faith and do not wish to misrepresent themselves, leave the religion section of the application forms blank; a person who has received money from them to help these applicants obtain a passport will write Islam as the applicants' religion in the blank section.

During a telephone interview on 7 February 1996, a representative of Middle East Watch in New York provided the following information.

Bahais who do not identify themselves as Bahais and represent themselves as Muslims do not face problems in Iran. However, they face problems if they introduce themselves as Bahais. Thus, they are banned from working for the government (e.g., government organizations and universities) and studying in government post-secondary educational institutions; they can work for the private sector or be self-employed. Bahai activists who promote their faith publicly are faced with prosecution and, therefore, would not have any employment opportunities. Bahais who announce their religion are not issued passports; passports are issued to those Bahais who represent themselves as Muslim.

 While having no specific information on the military service situation of the Bahais, the representative stated that male Bahais are compelled to do military service like other Iranians.

A representative of the United States Bahai Refugee Office in Evanston, Illinois, provided the following information during a telephone interview on 8 February 1996.

Bahais are denied many rights in Iran. As a matter of practice, Iranian Bahais do not identify themselves as Bahai. However, following their religious rules, if they are asked about their religion, they are obliged to tell the truth. As a result, they are denied all types of services and opportunities which require filling out a form that has a question on the religious background of applicants. In particular, Bahais are not allowed to work for the public sector and study at the post-secondary level. They can work for the private sector if they do not identify themselves as Bahais.

Until a few years ago Bahais were not issued passports, even for receiving medical treatment abroad. During the last few years, however, a limited number of "very old" Bahais who identified themselves as Bahais have been issued passports. Certain restrictions have been applied to these persons, i.e., spouses have not been issued passports at the same time and the issued exit visas have been valid for one trip only.

Military service is the only field which Bahais are treated like other Iranians; Bahais are drafted. Many Bahais were sent to the front during the Iran-Iraq War.

The 18 November 1995 Chicago Sun-Times stated that

more recently, in the revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, some 200 were executed and thousands imprisoned. Today, the killings have stopped and the jailing diminished, but Bahais still are prohibited from group worship, cannot get governmnet jobs and are not allowed to attend university. Legally they are not people.

 The other attached five articles, covering the period 1989 to 1995, provide further information on the situation of the Iranian Bahais.

Country Reports on Human Right Practices (1988 to 1994) provide general information on the status of the Bahais in Iran.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

        Chicago Sun-Times. 18 November 1995. Andrew Herrmann. Late Sports Final Edition. "Bahai Dedication Brings Persecution into Focus." (NEXIS)

Middle East Watch, New York. 7 February 1996. Telephone interview with representative.

Professor of sociology specializing in Iranian issues, Concordia University, Montreal. 5 February 1996. Telephone interview.

Attachments

        Calgary Herald. 25 May 1995. Final Edition. Clark Morphew. "Bahais Still Face Persecution in Iran." (NEXIS)

Chicago Sun-Times. 18 November 1995. Andrew Herrmann. Late Sports Final Edition. "Bahai Dedication Brings Persecution into Focus." (NEXIS)

The New York Times. 9 February 1989. Late City Final Edition. Paul Lewis. "Iran Will Release Certain Prisoners for Anniversary; Response to Amnesty." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 11 April 1992. PM Cycle. "Bahais Say Leading Member Executed by Iran." (NEXIS)

_____. 27 February 1990. BC Cycle. "U.S. House Urges Iran to End Persecution of Bahais." (NEXIS)

The Washington Times. 9 March 1990. Final Edition. Larry Witham. "Bias Citation of Iran Pleases U.S. Bahais." (NEXIS)