Baha'is in Iran, and, more recently, Yemen, are subject to systematic persecution based solely on their religious beliefs.
The Iranian government adheres to an official policy of systematic repression and abuse against Baha’is, who, at 300,000, are the largest non-Muslim religious minority in the country. Between 1978 and 1998, over 200 Baha’is were killed, and thousands more were tortured and imprisoned.
Today, Baha’is are subject to arbitrary interrogations, arrests, and imprisonment, and they suffer vandalism, raids, and attacks on their homes and businesses. Baha’is are denied government jobs and barred from attending university, and they are the targets of an ongoing campaign of vilification in the state-sponsored media.
In Yemen, the Baha'i community numbers in the small thousands, and lived for many years mostly undisturbed. In recent years, however, the Iranian-backed Houthi authorities controlling the northern part of the country have subjected the Baha'i community to intense persecution. On January 2, 2018, the Houthi authorities sentenced Hamed bin Haydara, a Yemeni Baha'i, to public execution because of his faith. However, after considerable international condemnation of the sentence, on July 30, 2020, he was released and sent into exile, together with five other prominent Baha'is. However, to this day, 24 Baha'is remain under indictment. This includes the five who were released at the same time as Mr. bin Haydara. Despite their release, the indictment has not been lifted for them or for nineteen other Baha'is. Most of the 19 are no longer in Yemen, but some remain and are in hiding. In addition, on May 17, 2023, the Houthi authorities raided the annual Baha'i National Convention, which was taking place in a private home. Seventeen people were detained. Gradually, all were released with the last prisoner freed by August 20, 2024, but with all subject to restrictions on their movement within Yemen and on contact with their fellow Baha'is. The fact that no charges were brought testifies to their innocence of any wrongdoing.
Our Office advocates for the rights of Baha’is in Iran and Yemen, in hopes of hastening the day when Baha’is – and all citizens of Iran and Yemen – will be guaranteed their freedom, dignity, and human rights.
Learn More
