E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.2 page 13 1. Situation of the Baha’is 55. The Special Rapporteur has no official figures concerning the size of the Baha’i community. Baha’i representatives and other non-governmental bodies estimate the number of Baha’is in Iran at 300,000, which, numerically, makes them the largest minority in Iran. (a) In the religious field (i) Recognition of religious minority status 56. The authorities stated that they do not recognize the Baha’is as a religious minority. The Baha’i organization has been defined as a political sect historically linked to the Shah’s regime and, hence, as counter-revolutionary and characterized by its espionage activities for the benefit of foreign entities, particularly Israel. During his various interviews, the Special Rapporteur noted an almost instinctive rejection with regard to the Baha’i community. 57. The authorities indicated that only the religious dignitaries could decide on the possibility of granting religious minority status to the Baha’is. Moreover, the privileges granted to recognized religious minorities could not be extended to all. However, non-recognition of that status did not signify deprivation of rights. In that regard, with the exception of the Baha’i organization as defined above, the authorities pointed out that every Baha’i benefited from all the recognized rights of Iranian citizens, particularly the right to freedom of belief, and, according to the Constitution, no one could be attacked or reprimanded for his opinions and the rights of citizens must be protected regardless of their ideas and convictions. The Baha’i representatives refuted the accusations directed against their organization. They pointed out that, according to the fundamental principles of their religion, Baha’is should show loyalty and obedience to their Government and should refrain from any political involvement. The Baha’is indicated that the accusations of espionage in favour of zionism were based solely on the fact that the Baha’i World Centre was in Israel. They pointed out that this centre was established on Mount Carmel in the last century, before the establishment of the State of Israel, in accordance with the explicit instructions of Baha’ullah, the founder of the Baha’i faith, who had lived there in exile after being banished from Persia. The Baha’i representatives emphasized their strict commitment to a religious belief - the Baha’i faith - and the fact that they constituted a religious minority. (ii) Religious activities 58. With regard to the information from governmental sources concerning respect for the rights of Baha’i citizens and, in particular, freedom of belief, the Baha’i representatives and other members of non-governmental bodies emphasized that the Baha’i community was being subjected to a policy of repression: in particular, they had an official document, issued by the Supreme Cultural Council of the Revolution, setting forth the directives