E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.2 page 15 (c) In the educational field 63. The Deputy Minister of Education said that respect for the law and involvement in wholesome activities were the only conditions for access to university education. He indicated that access by the Baha’is to higher education should not pose a problem provided that the Baha’is did not flaunt their beliefs in educational institutions. The Baha’i representatives emphasized that, since 1980, young Baha’is had been systematically excluded from higher educational institutions. Erosion of the standard of education was seriously affecting the Baha’i community. The directives of the Supreme Cultural Council of the Revolution concerning the level of education were quoted: "They can enrol in schools provided that they do not declare their Baha’i identity. Preferably, they should enrol in schools with a strong and impressive religious ideology. They should be expelled from the universities, either at the time of the admission procedure or during their studies, as soon as it becomes apparent that they are Baha’is". The Baha’i representatives indicated that, in accordance with the fundamental principles of their faith, they did not engage in proselytism, but, if questioned, would acknowledge their religious affiliation and could give explanations concerning their faith. (d) In the professional field 64. The Baha’is who were interviewed said that they were strongly discriminated against in the field of employment. Baha’is had no access to posts in the administration unless they converted to Islam. Their candidature would be rejected as soon as they filled in the questionnaire in which religious affiliation had to be specified. Moreover, in the early 1980s, about 10,000 Baha’is had apparently been dismissed from their posts in the administration and in the teaching profession because of their religious faith. Many had remained jobless and without unemployment benefits. Pensions were no longer paid to Baha’is who had been dismissed for religious reasons. Some who had been dismissed from their posts had even been required to reimburse the salaries or pensions received. A circular from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (No. 20361, dated 16/9/1360 A.H.) stipulated that: "The penalty incurred by those who belong to any of the misguided sects recognized by all Muslims as heretical deviations from Islam, or to organizations whose doctrine and constitution are based on rejection of the divinely-revealed religions, shall be permanent dismissal from public office ... and also from organizations that can be classed as governmental associations or offices ...". 65. In the private sector, the Baha’is were also seriously affected. In the early 1980s, the licences of Baha’i tradesmen had been withdrawn and the assets of enterprises managed by Baha’is had been confiscated. The confiscation of personal property applied not only to businesses and enterprises, but also to agricultural property. Pressure had also been exerted in the private sector with a view to securing the dismissal of Baha’i employees and also against Baha’i agricultural workers. The Baha’i community was therefore in a state of economic and material insecurity. 66. The authorities indicated that no obstacle was placed in the way of Baha’is in the professional field and any penalty was motivated by illegal