January 15, 2013

The International Center for Mental Health and Human Rights (ICMHHR) strongly condemns the recent sentencing of seven leaders of Iran’s Baha’i community: Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. The charges and sentences against the five men and two women indicate an alarming degree of religious intolerance that clearly contravenes Iran’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Living in a climate of ongoing terror with escalating ethnic and religious intolerance is traumatizing for children, families, communities and nations; disabling a culture of respect and resilience so necessary to the human spirit, to Iran and the world’s  best interests. In an increasingly interdependent world, the persecution of Iran’s Baha’i community is an affront to the dignity of all global citizens.