E/CN.4/1992/52
page 35
It has been reported that the Government had interfered in the work of
the Iranian Bible Society before it was closed by not allowing it to send its
annual report to churches within the country. It is said to have also
prohibited the import of Bibles in the Persian language as well as the use of
words 'Son of God1 or 'Lord' to refer to Jesus Christ, only allowing that he
be designated by the word 'Prophet'.
According to additional information received, many Christians who had
converted from the Muslim faith are said to have been repeatedly threatened
with imprisonment or imprisoned, notably in Ahwaz. It has been reported that
the pastor of the Assemblies of God church in Ahwaz had been arrested and
imprisoned in 1987 for one month and was subsequently taken to Tehran where he
was obliged to report once a week to the Komiteh. The pastor who replaced him
is said to have also been arrested and imprisoned and made to leave for
Tehran. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance reportedly closed the
church and its property was confiscated.
It has been alleged that on 7 December 1990 the pastor of the 'Injili'
Presbyterian Church in Tabriz was arrested and is detained in Tabriz prison.
The 'Injili' Church has reportedly also not been able to re-register. It has
also been alleged that another Christian belonging to the Niloo Church in
Tehran who had converted from the Muslim faith was imprisoned for one month in
September 1990. Both persons were reportedly tortured and are said to have
recanted their faith in writing. They were allegedly released from prison
when they adopted Islam."
51. In a communication sent on 31 October 1991 addressed to the Government of
the Islamic Republic of Iran, the following information was transmitted by the
Special Rapporteur:
"Situation of Iranian citizens of the Baha'i faith
According to the information received, Baha'is are said to still
officially be considered as 'unprotected infidels' and are denied legal
recognition. It has furthermore been reported that, although there has been
some improvement in individual circumstances of members of the Baha'i
religious community in recent years, it would appear that a systematic
violation of their rights solely on the basis of their religious beliefs
continues.
It has been reported that the opportunities of Baha'is in both the public
and private sector continue to be restricted. The economic and social
discrimination ranges from dismissal from Government employment, orders to
return salaries received as public employees, suspension of salary or pension
payments, invalidation of work permits, denial of unemployment benefits,
confiscation of ration booklets, denial of participation in social welfare
activities, inability to enforce business contracts, collect insurance or
qualify to inherit family properties.
It has been alleged that Baha'is are not allowed officially to open their
own businesses and Baha'i farmers are said to not be admitted to farmers'
cooperatives which would enable them to obtain agricultural credits, seeds,
pesticide and fertilizer. It has also been reported that numerous private and