The Bahá’í Communities
Of the Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca Federal Riding
Persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran Intensifies
Update May 14, 2009
Dear Dr. Martin,
It has been one year since the arrest of the seven Bahá’ís who were coordinating the affairs of the Bahá’í community in Iran. In spite of calls for their release by governments, human rights organizations and leaders of thought throughout the world, an additional charge of “spreading corruption on earth” has been brought against them. This is an extremely serious crime in Islamic law which could result in the execution of these innocent people.
There has also been a significant increase in the number of Bahá’ís arrested over the first four months of this year and acts of harassment and abuse have escalated. This systematic persecution of the Bahá’ís clearly demonstrates the strengthened determination by the Iranian authorities to eradicate the Bahá’í community as a viable religious organization in Iran.
Attached is an update regarding the plight of the Bahá’ís in Iran prepared by the Canadian Bahá’í Office of Government Relations.
We are very thankful for your active and ongoing support of our Bahá’í community. Your personal initiatives such as writing to the Minister of External Affairs and your most recent support of the motion condemning the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran are greatly appreciated by the Bahá’í community both locally and nationally. The seriousness of the current situation in Iran impels us to ask for your assistance once again. We appeal to you to mark this anniversary by protesting, whether through statements in the House of Commons or to the press, the continued imprisonment of the Bahá’í leadership.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
With sincere gratitude,
Don Brown,
On behalf of the Bahá’í communities of Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, Saanich, Sooke and View Royal
Email: donhbrown@shaw.ca
