On the escalating repression of the Baha’is in Iran

European Parliament resolution on the escalating repression of the Baha’is in Iran

(2025/2987(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,

–having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas the Baha’i community, comprising 300 000 members and lacking constitutional recognition, faces systematic persecution under the 1991 Iranian memorandum, including arbitrary arrests and imprisonment, forced disappearance, denial of dignified burial, property confiscation, denial of education and employment and incitement to hatred by state-controlled media;

B.whereas Iranian authorities have continuously intensified repression against the Baha’i community through mass detentions, expedited trials and false accusations of espionage and collaboration with foreign entities;

C.whereas in 2024, approximately 1 200 Baha’is faced legal proceedings or imprisonment, with women representing two thirds of detainees and 16 women in Hamadan and Isfahan sentenced to a combined 129 years and subjected to torture and severe violations of due process;

D.whereas authorities have desecrated Baha’i cemeteries, including in Tehran, Ahvaz, Rafsanjan, Kerman and Hamadan;

1.Strongly condemns the escalating persecution of the Baha’i community and systemic suppression of all religious and ethnic minorities and women; calls on Iran to immediately cease all discrimination, harassment, detention, property confiscation and fundamental rights violations;

2.Urges Iran to immediately release all individuals detained for their religion or belief and defending human rights, and on faith-related blasphemy or national security charges, and to cease harassment and violence against religious communities;

3.Expresses deep concern over the targeting of Baha’i women, facing religious and gender-based persecution and accounting for two thirds of Baha’is imprisoned;