The U.S. Department of State's 2008 International Religious Freedom Report, released on Sept. 19, calls attention to the grave persecution faced by Baha'is in Iran, as well as the discrimination against Baha'is in Egypt, who continue to be denied government-issued identity cards.

“During the reporting period, respect for religious freedom in [Iran] continued to deteriorate,” the report stated, as government “rhetoric and actions created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shi'a religious groups, most notably for Baha'is... Government-controlled broadcast and print media intensified negative campaigns against religious minorities, particularly the Baha'is.”

In Egypt, those found without identity cards can be detained until the document is provided, and “some Baha'is without identity cards reportedly stay home to avoid police scrutiny and possible arrest,” the report stated.

Several references to the Baha’is were also made in Ambassador Hanford’s remarks at the briefing for the report's release.