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The Trial of the Yaran (seven Iranian Baha’i leaders) under the Iranian “Citizens’ Rights” and “Legal Procedures for Revolutionary Courts” Standards |
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Christopher Buck, Ph.D., J.D Dr. Buck, a Pittsburgh attorney and former professor at Michigan State University (2000-2004), Quincy University (1999-2000), Millikin University (1997-1999), and Carleton University (1994-1996). On February 7, 2010, the seven Baha’i former informal leaders, known as the Yaran (“Friends”), were tried in the second session of their trial, reportedly presided over by Judge Moghiseh, head of Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. (Also transliterated as Moqiseh, from Persian محمد مقیسه ای. See http://www.en-hrana.com/2010/02/17/hossein-noorani-nejad-sentenced-to-three-years-in-prison.) This branch, under Judge Sohrab Heydarifard, had previously sentenced Iranian-American journalist, Roxana Saberi, on a charge of espionage, to eight years of imprisonment, then released her and allowed her to leave Iran, and later staged an appeals trial held in absentia, in which Ms. Saberi was formally cleared of espionage. Not so in the case of the Yaran. The fabricated charges that the Yaran face are the work of the intelligence and security organizations of the Islamic regime. As stated by lead defense counsel, 2003 Nobel peace prize laureate, Dr. Shirin Ebadi, the charges include “spying for America and Israel, acting against national security and [engaging in] propaganda against the [Islamic Republic’s] system.” (See “Iran’s Ebadi says seven Baha’is must be acquitted,” Iran Press Watch, January 13, 2010) Press and pundits have not yet picked up on this evidently new charge of “spying for America” – which has yet to be independently verified. |
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Baha'is offer decision-making model at UN commission |
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16 February 2010 UNITED NATIONS (BWNS) – A new model of decision-making among peoples of different cultures would contribute to integration "at this time of transition to a new social order," according to a new Baha'i statement. The statement was prepared for the 48th United Nations Commission for Social Development, which concluded on 12 February. The commission is the chief U.N. body charged with following up on the World Summit on Social Development held in 1995 in Copenhagen, where world leaders outlined principles that would characterize a new "society for all." These principles included respect for diversity and participation of all people. The Baha'i International Community said in its statement that it was offering its experience in the method of consultation used by Baha'i communities around the world – a key component in creating unity among people. The consultative process, the Baha'i statement said, rests on the understanding that all human beings are essentially noble – "they possess reason and conscience as well as capacities for inquiry, understanding, compassion, and service to the common good." Mr. Ming H. Chong of Singapore, a delegate to the commission who presented a summary of the Baha'i statement, said afterwards that understanding the nobility of all humans prevents people from dismissing others as needy rather than being in charge of their own development. |
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FIDH and LDDHI express their deepest concern |
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11 February 2010 The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Iranian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LDDHI) express their deepest concern regarding the ongoing repression against the Baha’i community in Iran. According to the information received, in the night of 9 to 10 February 2010, six members of the Baha’i religious minority were arrested, in Tehran, at the their houses, by agents of the Ministry of Information. They are allegedly accused of “involvement in disturbances”. Their whereabouts and their place of detention are not known to date.
Furthermore, on 7 February, the second session of the trial of the seven Baha’i leaders was held. During the first session, held on 12 January 2010 the seven defendants categorically denied all the charges. According to several government sponsored media, the charges were: “espionage, propaganda activities against the Islamic order, the establishment of an illegal administration, cooperation with Israel, sending secret documents outside the country, acting against the security of the country, and ’corruption on earth’”. Both first and second sessions were closed to the public, recorded by camera, while only procedural issues have been so far covered.
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Date set for seven Baha'i leaders' next court session |
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21 January 2010 New Delhi – We have learnt through the Baha’i International Community, Geneva, that the lawyers of the seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders were notified by Iranian authorities about the next session of their trial to be held on 7 February. At their first court appearance, held 12 January in Tehran, the charges were read to the seven, who categorically denied the accusations. "While we know little about what actually took place inside the court, we can now say for certain that these seven innocent Baha'is stood up and firmly rejected all of the charges against them," said Diane Ala'i of the Baha'i International Community. |
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