Published on: 2026-07-30
Source: United Nations – Объединенные Нации –
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July 29, 2026 Human Rights
The group of independent UN human rights experts has expressed serious concern about the situation of the Bahá’í religious minority in Iran. According to incoming reports, they are arbitrarily detained and abducted, subjected to torture and other forms of cruel treatment.
According to human rights activists, the physical and mental health of several detainees may be at risk.
Physical and psychological violence
“We are deeply concerned by reports that members of the Baha’i community are being held without contact with the outside world, subjected to torture and enforced disappearances. This is a clear violation of international law,” said independent UN experts.
They pointed to information about intensifying repression against the Baháʼís, including an increase in arrests and a broader campaign to stigmatize them. It is reported that 57 members of the community are in custody or serving prison sentences.
Some detainees were allegedly forced under torture to give confessions, which were subsequently broadcast by state media. Experts emphasized that such a practice violates the absolute prohibition of torture and undermines the right to a fair trial.
Human rights defenders have expressed particular concern over the alleged arbitrary detention of Payam Vali, Roi Sabet, Artin Ghazanfari, and Shakila Ghasemi, as well as Peyvand and Borna Naimi. According to reports, the latter two were subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse, including staged executions aimed at extracting false confessions. Both remain in pre-trial detention under harsh conditions.
Persecution of minorities
Experts noted that the arrests of Baha’i representatives are occurring against the backdrop of a broader wave of detentions in Iran following the start of the war, creating additional risks for religious minorities.
“The persecution of religious minorities through alleged arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and coercion is a blatant violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief,” human rights defenders stated.
They reminded that as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Iran is obliged to respect freedom of religion or belief, the prohibition of torture and enforced disappearances, to guarantee due process, and to protect the rights of minorities.
Experts have called on the authorities to immediately provide those detained with access to lawyers and medical care, as well as to investigate all reports of arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, and to hold those responsible accountable.
According to human rights defenders, they have reported their concerns to the Iranian government.
The statement was signed by the Special Rapporteur on minority issues Nicolas Levrat, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Nazila Ghanea, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Mai Sato, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Alice Jill Edwards, as well as members of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
Independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff members and do not receive a salary for their work. Experts act in a personal capacity and do not represent any government or organization.
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