{"id":1640,"date":"2026-07-13T05:36:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T05:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1640"},"modified":"2026-07-13T05:36:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T05:36:54","slug":"iran-persecutes-its-bahai-minority-fiercely-in-a-year-of-protests-and-war-rights-groups-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1640","title":{"rendered":"Iran persecutes its Baha\u2019i minority fiercely in a year of protests and war, rights groups say"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Peyvand Naimi has spent more than six months in an Iranian prison, accused of killing state security agents during nationwide protests<\/span>, although his family says no formal charges or evidence have been presented. \u201cThe Baha\u2019is will not be released,\u201d the family says it was told by the prosecutor.<\/p>\n

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Ever since the Baha\u2019i faith was founded in Persia \u2014 now Iran \u2014 in the 19th century, its followers there have been persecuted<\/span>, usually more harshly during times of crisis.<\/p>\n

This year, amid massive anti-government protests and war with the United States<\/span> and Israel, the Islamic Republic<\/span> has mounted a fierce crackdown on the country\u2019s largest non-Muslim religious minority, human rights groups say.<\/p>\n

Since January, dozens of Baha\u2019is have been imprisoned because of their faith, human rights groups say. Holy books and religious symbols have been desecrated during raids of Baha\u2019i family homes \u2014 which these groups say is evidence of authorities\u2019 sectarian motivations. Those detained have faced mistreatment ranging from electric shocks to mock hangings, and some have made forced confessions to crimes punishable by death, rights groups say.<\/p>\n

The Islamic Republic\u2019s intensified campaign against Baha\u2019is is part of a wider crackdown across Iran. Nationwide protests that began in late December prompted the deadliest backlash by Iranian security forces since the Islamic Republic took power in 1979, with thousands killed<\/span> and tens of thousands reportedly arrested.<\/p>\n

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Iran\u2019s Foreign Ministry and its spokesperson at the United Nations didn\u2019t respond to multiple requests to discuss the treatment of Baha\u2019is. <\/p>\n

The targeting of Baha\u2019is, who make up less than 1% of Iran\u2019s population, is hardly discreet: The authoritarian government often uses state TV and social media to accuse followers of being spies and blame them for the country\u2019s economic woes.<\/p>\n

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\u201cEvery time there is a crisis \u2014 social, economic, or political \u2014 shift the blame to the Baha\u2019is,\u201d said Simin Fahandej, who represents the international community of Baha\u2019is at the United Nations. \u201cAnd this (year\u2019s) protest and the war have also been no different.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Baha\u2019is often practice their religion in secret, the Iranian public is encouraged to report on neighbors if they are known or suspected followers of the faith, which is considered immoral by the country\u2019s ruling clerics. <\/p>\n

\u201cMuch of this portrayal stems from theological hostility,\u201d said Omid Ghaemmaghami, an associate professor of Middle East Studies at the State University of New York at Binghamton. He and other experts said the scapegoating of Baha\u2019is also serves to instill fear and obedience among other Iranians.<\/p>\n

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A confession made under duress<\/h2>\n

Naimi was arrested at work on the afternoon of Jan. 8 by agents from Iran\u2019s intelligence ministry, according to his family, which insists he did not participate in anti-government protests. Amnesty International says the alleged killings of three Basij agents during Jan. 8 protests in Kerman took place after he was arrested. The government has not publicized any details about the alleged killings. <\/p>\n

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