Iran and Its Vulnerable Minorities
By Tuğba Tanyeri Erdemir
The words and views expressed below reflect that of the author, and do not necessarily represent ADL.
Just over a year ago, the Islamic Republic government arrested 142 Christians in a coordinated attempt to intimidate Protestant and Evangelical converts across Iran shortly before Christmas 2018. While 2018’s crackdown and arrests of converted Christians still remains the most extensive to date, the incarceration of religious minorities for their beliefs continues.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the most repressive regimes in the Middle East, indeed in the world, with continuing discrimination, oppression and persecution of religious minorities. Iran was first designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) in 1999 by the U.S. State Department and retains that shameful status today.
The Iranian constitution designates Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity (Assyrian/Chaldean and Armenian) and some sects of Sunni Islam as historic native minority religions of Iran. While the members of these recognized religions are allowed to have some autonomy in matters such as marriage, divorce, or inheritance laws, they are regarded as second class citizens and suffer discrimination at schools and places of work. There are clear limitations on their practices as determined by the government. The regime closely monitors the worship practices of congregations, and there are legal restrictions on constructing or repairing churches. Others, such as Baha’is, Mandeans, the Yarsans, and Sufi Muslims are not officially recognized as religions at all. They suffer systematic targeting and regularly face oppression, discrimination and persecution.
One of the latest developments adds to the concerns about Iran’s systematic discriminatory strategies. In January 2020, Iran removed the “other” option for religious affiliation in state issued identity cards, so citizens are now reportedly being forced to choose one of the four recognized religions: Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. State-issued ID cards are vital for receiving critical government services, as well as cashing a check, applying for a loan, or buying property. With this act, minorities not belonging to the designated categories are effectively forced to deny their faith or be subjected to even more severe forms of punishment.
In Iran, practicing an unrecognized religion can be perilous. Apostasy and conversion to any religion other than Shiite Islam can lead to with criminal charges. Consequently, some faith groups, such as Evangelicals are not allowed to promote their beliefs or conduct church services in Persian or even to possess Bibles in Persian. Activities of Christians and other minorities are closely monitored by the Iranian Intelligence Service and the Intelligence Unit of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
As one of the largest unrecognized religious groups, the Baha’i citizens of Iran were continually targeted in 2019. Baha’is are completely denied access to higher education, and in response they have organized an underground university called BIHE (Baha’i Institute of Higher Education). This unofficial university system operates on a voluntary basis to educate young Baha’is. In September 2019, the Iranian Minister of Education announced a new educational project in which students from officially unrecognized religious minority groups will not be permitted in schools, as if their mere presence is considered harmful propaganda.
In July 2019, there was coordinated and targeted harassment of Baha’is on social media by accounts run by the state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, which resulted in the suspension of these accounts by Twitter. The widespread distribution of false accusations against minority communities consistently puts these believers in danger.
The state views its minorities with suspicion. Converts to Christianity are often falsely accused of being foreign agents working for Iran’s enemies, chiefly the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Arbitrary arrests and long imprisonment sentences are common. Trumped-up charges, particularly “acting against national security,” are often utilized in prosecuting religious minorities.
Likewise, the Gonabadi Dervishes suffered harassment and persecution. Many Gonabadi Dervishes who were arrested while protecting the residence of their leader, Mostafa Tabandeh in February of 2018 still remain in jail. Following a violent clash with the police, hundreds of Sufi Gonabadi Dervishes were injured or arrested. Mohammad Salas, a bus driver was convicted of killing three police officers in a kangaroo court and secretly executed.
As the political environment in Iran becomes more precarious each day, the fragility of all vulnerable groups increases. A report by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran calls attention to the increased human rights abuses that ethnic and religious minorities face in Iran.
In the fall of 2019, widespread protests and demonstrations in response to an increase in gas prices gripped the country. Iran’s response to these protests has been severe: hundreds of people are estimated to have been killed and thousands arrested by the regime in this episode alone.
Experts point out that this state violence and oppression has been particularly brutal on minorities. The ethnic Kurdish citizens of Iran, in particular, were targeted with the accusation of being agents for the U.S. and Israel, and were accused of being responsible for causing unrest in the country. In addition, the regime response to the riots is reported to be much more violent in Kurdish populated areas. Outrageously, the regime’s semi-official Fars News Agency even published an erroneous headline claiming that “Most of those Detained from the Recent Riots were Baha’i.”
February 11th marks the 41st anniversary of the Iranian Revolution. Just in the last year, the condition of Iranian minorities has deteriorated considerably. ADL calls on the international community to demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran abide by the Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which grants everyone the right to freedom of conscience and religion, including the freedom to practice one’s beliefs and freedom to change one’s religion.
About the author: Tuğba Tanyeri Erdemir is the Coordinator of ADL’s Task Force on Middle East Minorities.
About ADL’s Task Force on Middle East Minorities: The mission of ADL’s Task Force on Middle East Minorities is to bring international attention to the human rights offenses committed against minority communities in the Middle East. The Task Force consists of regional and topical experts who serve as an advisory body to augment ADL’s work in protecting vulnerable minorities by identifying, elevating, and educating on emerging human rights issues in the Middle East.
