Baha’i Citizen Sima Kiani Released from Evin Prison

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)- On Saturday, September 1, 2018, Baha’i citizen Sima Kiani was released from Evin Prison three months earlier than scheduled.

Kiani was originally sentenced to one year behind bars. An informed source told HRANA that the prosecutor, taking into consideration the poor health of her elderly parents, granted her release after nine months.

Previously, in February 2018, HRANA reported on Kiani’s verdict and transfer to Evin Prison to begin her sentence. She was convicted of “propaganda against the regime”.

Kiani was arrested for the first time in March 2017, and was released on a bail of 2 billion rials (approximately $20,000 USD) in April 2017 to await the February 2018 trial.

At the time of her arrest, Iranian authorities reportedly confiscated her personal computer, as well as all of her books, articles, and CDs.

Baha’is in Iran do not have freedom of religion. This systematic repression is in violation of Article 18 of the International Declaration of Human Rights as well as Article 18 of the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights. These documents assert the rights of every individual to freedom of religion, religious conversion, and expression of their religious belief as individuals or groups, publicly or privately.

Unofficial reports indicate that there are over three hundred thousand Baha’is living in Iran. However, the Iranian constitution only recognizes Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism as permissible religions, effectively rendering the Baha’i faith illegal. This loophole allows the Iranian government to systematically violate the rights of Baha’is with impunity.

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