Iran: Baha'i Leaders Held Incommunicado

The fate of the seven leaders of the Baha'i community of Iran, who were arrested on 14 May 2008, is entirely unknown. According to a news release by the Baha'i International Community, the seven leaders are held by the Iranian government incommunicado.

They have no access to lawyers and their families do not know their whereabouts. The Baha’i International Community is increasingly concerned about their fate.

The article states:

"Although initial reports indicated they were taken to Evin prison, in fact we don’t know where they are, and we are extremely concerned," said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations.

In a pointed appeal, Ms. Dugal also said:

"We appeal to the international community, human rights groups, and people of conscience, as well as the news media, to continue their efforts to press the Iranian government so that the rights of these people as detainees be upheld and that they be allowed access to counsel and general communication with the outside -- as a minimum step."

The seriousness of the situation is clearly expressed by Ms. Duagal's remarks when she said:

"However, in light of the fact that relatives have made repeated attempts to learn more about the fate of the seven, and in all cases have been met with evasion and conflicting stories from government officials, we must now say that we don’t know where they are -- and that our level of concern for their fate is at the highest."

To read more about this press release, please click here....