The Baha’i International Community (BIC) issued a statement highlighting a letter written by imprisoned Baha’i citizen Pejman Zare on the occasion of his child’s first birthday. The organization called on Islamic Republic authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all Baha’is imprisoned solely for their religious beliefs.
The body also demanded an end to the use of solitary confinement, pressure, threats, torture, and forced confessions, while calling for guarantees of detainees’ rights to contact their families and receive immediate medical care.
The statement also drew attention to the situation of several other imprisoned Baha’is, including Shakila Ghasemi, Parsa Najafi, Artin Ghazanfari, Navid Zarrebin, and Vafa Kashefi, reiterating the demand for their immediate and unconditional release.
The Baha’i community noted that while the Islamic Republic has tried for years to portray Baha’is as “aliens” in their own homeland, Pejman Zare’s letter demonstrates that, despite enduring suffering and discrimination, Iranian Baha’is remain committed to the service, progress, and development of their country.
Pejman Zare, a Baha’i resident of Shiraz, was arrested on March 15 after security agents raided and ransacked his home. During the operation, agents confiscated his personal belongings, electronic equipment, and religious books. His father’s house was also searched, and his business partner was arrested the following day.
