GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed grave concern over allegations of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture and other ill-treatment against members of the Bahá’í religious minority in Iran, warning that several detainees may face risks to their mental and physical health, as well as personal integrity.
“We are profoundly troubled by reports that Bahá’í individuals are being subjected to incommunicado detention, torture and enforced disappearance. This is a clear violation of international law,” the experts said.
They highlighted a pattern of escalating repression targeting Bahá’ís, including a reported surge in arrests and a broader campaign of stigmatisation. Fifty-seven individuals from the Baha’i community are reportedly detained or imprisoned.
Some detainees have allegedly been forced to confess under torture, including confessions broadcasted on State media – practices which violate the absolute prohibition of torture and undermine the right to a fair trial.
The experts raised serious concern for the alleged arbitrary detention of Baha’i individuals, including Payam Vali, Roya Sabet, Artin Ghazanfari and Shakila Ghasemi, as well as Peyvand Naimi and Borna Naimi, who have reportedly endured severe physical and psychological abuse, including mock executions to extract false confessions. Both men remain in pre-trial detention under conditions that raise serious fears for their health and safety.
The detention of Bahá’í individuals takes place amid a broader wave of intensified arrests across Iran since the outbreak of the war, raising additional concerns about the compounding risks that religious minorities are facing within this context.
“The targeting of religious minority communities through alleged arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and coercion constitutes a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief,” the experts said.
They recalled that as a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Iran is bound to uphold the freedom of religion or belief, the prohibition of torture, and enforced disappearance, ensure due process and protect minority rights.
The experts urged authorities to immediately guarantee access to legal counsel and medical care, and investigate all allegations of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment with a view to ensuring accountability.
“Urgent measures are required to prevent irreparable harm and end the reported pattern of persecution against the Bahá’í minority,” they said.
The experts have raised their concerns with the Iranian Government.
