An Open Letter from a group of academics, writers, artists, journalists and Iranian activists throughout the world to the Baha’i community

In the name of goodness and beauty, and in the name of humanity and liberty!

As Iranian human beings, we are ashamed for what has been perpetrated upon the Baha’is in the last century and a half in Iran.

We firmly believe that every Iranian, “without distinction of any kind, such as, race, color, sex, language, religion, politics or other opinions,” and also without regard to ethnic background, “social origin, property, birth or other status,” is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, from the very inception of the Baha’i Faith, the followers of this religion in Iran have been deprived of many provisions of human rights solely on account of their religious convictions.

According to historical documents and evidence, from the commencement of the Babi Movement followed by the appearance of the Baha’i Faith, thousands of our countrymen have been slain by the sword of bigotry and superstition only for their religious beliefs. Just in the first decades of its establishment, some twenty thousand of those who stood identified with this faith community were savagely killed throughout various regions of Iran.

We are ashamed that during that period, no voice of protest against these barbaric murders was registered;

We are ashamed that until today the voice of protest against this heinous crime has been infrequent and muted;

We are ashamed that in addition to the intense suppression of Baha’is during its formative decades, the last century also witnessed periodic episodes of persecution of this group of our countrymen, in which their homes and businesses were set on fire, and their lives, property and families were subjected to brutal persecution – but all the while, the intellectual community of Iran remained silent;

We are ashamed that during the last thirty years, the killing of Baha’is solely on the basis of their religious beliefs has gained legal status and over two-hundred Baha’is have been slain on this account;

We are ashamed that a group of intellectuals have justified coercion against the Baha’i community of Iran;

We are ashamed of our silence that after many decades of service to Iran, Baha’i retired persons have been deprived of their right to a pension;

We are ashamed of our silence that on the account of their fidelity to their religion and truthfulness in stating this conviction, thousands of Baha’i youth have been barred from education in universities and other institutions of higher learning in Iran;

We are ashamed that because of their parents’ religious beliefs, Baha’i children are subjected to denigration in schools and in public.

We are ashamed of our silence over this painful reality that in our nation, Baha’is are systematically oppressed and maligned, a number of them are incarcerated because of their religious convictions, their homes and places of business are attacked and destroyed, and periodically their burial places are desecrated;

We are ashamed of our silence when confronted with the long, dark and atrocious record that our laws and legal system have marginalized and deprived Baha’is of their rights, and the injustice and harassment of both official and unofficial organs of the government towards this group of our countrymen;

We are ashamed for all these transgressions and injustices, and we are ashamed for our silence over these deeds.

We, the undersigned, asked you, the Baha’is, to forgive us for the wrongs committed against the Baha’i community of Iran.

We will no longer be silent when injustice is visited upon you.

We stand by you in achieving all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights.

Let us join hands in replacing hatred and ignorance with love and tolerance.

February 3, 2009

1. Aban, Vahid, Human Rights Activist – Sweden
2. Abdolalian, Morteza, Journalist, CJFE Board of Directors - Canada, Oakville
3. Abdi, Asghar, Physiologist/ Human Righst Activitst
4. Abghari, Shahla, Professor, Life University – USA, Atlanta
5. Abghari, Siavash, Professor, University of Georgia – USA, Atlanta
6. Aeine, Abtin, Poet - Sweden
7. Afshar, Mahasti, Reasercher – USA, Los Angeles
8. Afshari, Maryam, Activist – Sweden, Gutenberg
9. Afshin-Jam, Nazanin, Human Rights Activist/ Singer Canada, Vancouver
10. Aghnam, Reza, Writer/Literature Critic – England, London
11. Ahmadi, Fereidoon, Political Analyst – Germani Colonia
12. Ahmadi, Ramin, Professor, Yale University – USA, Yale
13. Akbari, Mansour, Human Rights Activist – Sweden, Stockholm
14. Akhavan, Asal, Human Rights Supporter - Australia
15. Alavi, Reza, Writer/Political Analyst - USA
16. Almasi, Nasrin, Managing editor of Shahrvand- Canada, Toronto
17. Amini, Bahman, Publisher – France, Paris
18. Amini, Mehdi, Political Activist – USA, Washington DC
19. Amirgholi, Amir, Human Rights Activist – Iran, Tehran
20. Amirhosseini, Bahman, journalist – USA, Virginia
21. Amirsedghi, Nasrin, Writer/Ditrector of Kult DA – Germany, Mainz
22. Amoozgar, Mojgan, Medical Doctor – France, Paris
23. Ansari, Siamak, Human Rights Activist - Sweden, Gutenberg
24. Arian, Nima, Student/Human Roghts Activist - Germany
25. Asadi, Houshang, Writer/ Journalist – France, Paris
26. Assadi Savadkouhi, Hooshang, IT specialist – Sweden, Stockholm
27. Assman Mohammad, Javad, Poet/ Translator – Iran, Esfahan
28. Attar, Mahmood, Pharmacist/ Human Rights Supporter - Italy
29. Avaei, Gil, Writer/Bloger – Holand
30. Ayoubzadeh, Hassan, Writer/ Lawyer – Netherlands, Arnhem
31. Azad, Azadeh, Sociologist - Canada
32. Azadian, Abbas, Psychotrapist – Toronto Canada
33. Azarian, Mina, Actress – Sweden, Stockholm
34. Azarkolah, Houman, Actor – France, Paris
35. Azarli, Katayoun, Writer/Poet - Germany
36. Bagheri Goldschmied, Nahid, Freelance Journalist – Austria, Vienna
37. Bagherpour, Danesh, Political Analyst - Germany
38. Bagherpour, Khosro, Poet /Journalist – Germany
39. Bakhshizadeh, Marziye, Human Rights Activist – Germany
40. Bakhtiyari, Sheyda, Human Rights Activist - Denmark
41. Balouch, Abdolghader, Writer, Canada Vancouver
42. Baradaran, Monireh, Writer/Human rights activist - Germany
43. Barati, Mehran, Researcher, Germany, Berlin
44. Batebi, Ahmad, Human Rights Activist - USA, Washington
45. Behboodi, Reza, Human Rights Activist – Canada
46. Behnia, Kamran, Physicist – France, Paris
47. Beyzaie, Niloofar, Play writer/Theatre Director – Germany, Frankfurt
48. Bigdeli, Bahram, Human Rights Activist - Germany , Cologne
49. Bishetab, Reza, Writer, France, Paris
50. Borghei, Mohammad, Professor Strayer University - USA
51. Boroumand, Ladan, Researcher, Boroumand Foundation - USA, Washington
52. Boroumand, Roya, Executive Director, Boroumand Foundation – USA, Washington
53. Chehabi, Houchang-Esfandiar, Professor – USA, Boston
54. Choubine, Bahram, Researcher/Writer – Germany, Köln
55. Corrazo, Gabriela, Journalist - Spain
56. Daneshvar, Hamid, Actor/Theatre Director – France, Paris
57. Darvishpour, Mehrdad, Professor, Stockholm University - Sweden, Stockholm
58. Daryani, Hossein, Stage Actor – Germany, Berlin
59. Dashi, Ali, Political Activist Danemark
60. Dastmalchi, Parviz, Writer/Political Analyst – Germany, Berlin
61. Davani, Hossein, Art Critic/Human Rights Activist – Germany Colonia
62. Dehzangi, Arash, PHD Candidate- Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
63. Delneshin, Shahin, Political Analyst/Blogger -Denmark, Copenhagen
64. Djalali Chimeh, Mohammad (M. Sahar), Poet - France, Paris
65. Djanati Atai, Behi, Actor/ Writer/Theatre Director – France, Paris
66. Doai, Babak, Musician/ Music Teacher - Belgium
67. Duschouki, Abdolsatar, Political Analyst - England
68. Ebadi, Abdolatif, Poet/Translator/Journalist - England
69. Ebrahimi, Hadi, Editor-in-chief of Shahrgon, Canada, Vancouver
70. Emami, Bahram, Human Rights Activist - Sweden, Stockholm
71. Esfandarmaz, Sherin, Human Rights Activist, Belgium Bruxelles
72. Eskandari, Mohammad Reza, Sociologist / Activist - Holand
73. Fadai, Behroz, Political Activist – Holand
74. Fahimi, Nima, Chief of Efsha Website - England
75. Fani Yazdi, Reza, Political analyst - USA
76. Farahani, Fereshteh, Human Rights Activist – Holand
77. Faraji, Hossein, TV Moderator – USA ,Los Angeles
78. Farhoudi, Vida, Poet/Translator- France, Paris
79. Farid, Siamak, Human Rights Activist, Belgium Bruxelles
80. Farrahi, Farahnaz, Chief of Iran bbb Website – Germany, Berlin
81. Farshy, Ebrahim, Writer/Teacher/Theater Actor – Germany Colonia
82. Fattah, Abasali, Political Activist – Australia
83. Fazel, Navid, Chief Physician - Germany
84. Ferdosian, Payam, writer/ Researche/ Human Rights Activist – USA, Virginia
85. Forouhar, Parastou, Artist/Human Rights Activist – Germany, Frankfurt
86. Fouladi, Firuzeh Faye, USA, Silver Spring, Maryland
87. Ghadiri, Khosro, Professor/ Journalist/Analyst – USA, California
88. Ghaemi, Hadi Coordinator Int. Campaign for HR in Iran - USA
89. Ghahari, Keivandokht, Deutsche Welle, Section Iran- Germany, Bonn
90. Ghahraman, Saghi, Poet /Journalist – Canada, Toronto
91. Ghahraman, Sasan, Publisher/Writer/Journalist – Canada, Toronto
92. Ghasemi Impertro, Akhtar, Free lance Journalist/ Photographer – Germany, Colonia
93. Ghassemi, Reza, Writer – France, Paris
94. Ghiaee, Abbas, Bookstore Manager – Germany
95. Ghorashi, Reza, Professor, USA New Jersey
96. Giahi, Fatemeh, Human Rights Activist, USA, Massachusett
97. Goharzad, Reza, Journalist, USA
98. Golab Dej, Hooshang, Writer/Poet – Sweden Stockholm
99. Golchin, Ali, Lawyer – USA, Massachusett
100. Habibinia, Omid, Journalist - Sweden
101. Hajzadeh, Fallah Masoud, Design Engineer - Västerås, Sweden
102. Hakim, Mohammad Hossein, Professor – USA, Amherst
103. Halford, Zhara, Painter/Photograph/Sculptor - France
104. Hamidi, Nasrin, Human Rights Activist - Holand
105. Hamidi, Hamid, Human Rights Activist - Holand
106. Hamzeloee, Mahmoud, Actor/Theatre & Cinema Director – Norway
107. Harandi, Farideh, Lawyer, USA
108. Hashemizadeh, Iradj, Architekt/Journalist- Austria, Graz
109. Hassibi, Mohammad, Political activist, USA
110. Hatami, Parviz, Human Rights Activist - USA
111. Hekmat, Bijan, Political Activist – France, Paris
112. Heyrani, Aref , general contractor, USA, Beaverton OR
113. Homayounpour, Kourosh, , USA, Washington, DC.
114. Homayounpour, Shohreh, Teacher- USA, Washington DC
115. Honarmand, Manouchehr, Journalist - Holand
116. Hosseini, Mirali, Actor/Journalist, France, Paris
117. Hosseinzadeh, Jafar, Political Activist – Belgium
118. Houshmand, Zara, Writer – USA, Houston
119. Irani, Nikki, Human Rights Activist- USA
120. Irani, Sholeh, Editor-in-Chief AvayeZan.org –
121. Irvani, Arash, (M. Saghi) Poet, Germany Dusseldorf
122. Jabbari, Reza, Reasercher - Sweden, Gutenberg
123. Jaddeh, Mohsen, Journalist/Translator - Germany
124. Jafari, Reza, Theatre Director - Germany
125. Jafari, Sedighe, Human Rights Activist - Germany, Hanover
126. Javadi, Akram, Director of Ida Bookstore - Germany
127. Javdan, Hamidreza, Actor/ Theatre Director - France, Paris
128. Javid, Jahanshah, Publisher, Iranian.com – Mexico, Chihuahua
129. Jazani, Mihan, Writer/Activist – France, Paris
130. Kakhsaz, Naser, Political analyst – Germany, Bochum
131. Kalbasi, Sheema, Poet – USA, Washington
132. Kamali, Shaghayegh, Singer/ Music Lecturer – Germany, Münster
133. Kamrani, Ali, Stage Actor/ Song Writer – Germany, Frankfurt
134. Karami, Nasser, Political Analyst - Germany
135. Karimi, Behzad, Political Activist, Netherland
136. Kassraei, Farhang, Writer/Actor – Germany, Wiesbaden
137. Kaviany, Massoud, Professor University Michigan– USA Michigan
138. Kavir, Mahmood, Poet/Writer - England
139. Kazemi, Monireh, Women Rights Activist - Germany
140. Keshavarz, Mehran, Human Rights Activist - Norway
141. Khabazian, Reza, Human Rights Supporter - USA
142. Khayam, Zohreh, Women Right Activist - USA
143. Khoi, Esmail, Writer/Poet – England, London
144. Khojinian, Hadi, Poet/ Writer – England
145. Khorami, Tahere, Human Rights Activist – Holand
146. Khorrami, Hossein, Political Activist – Germany, Essen
147. Khorsandi, Hadi, Satirist – Great Britain, London
148. Khosroparviz, Keikhosro, Political Activist, Sweden
149. Khosrozadeh, Behrooz, Journalist/ Political science Reasercher – Germany
150. Kiarostami, Kia, Film Producer, Germany, Berlin
151. Koohgilani, Parvin, Editor Shahrvand - USA, Texas
152. Kowsari, Hamid, Director of New Technology Training Institute, USA Los Angeles
153. Laghaeian, Shahriar, Medical Doctor – USA, Seattle
154. Lalejini, Ali, Translator - Sweden
155. Lavaei, Mehrdad, Human Rights Activist – Holand
156. Madadi, Shabnam, Physician/ Human Rights Supporter - Germany
157. Madjlessi, Darius, Political Activist – Holand
158. Maghssudnia, Manochehr, Political Activist – Germany, Berlin
159. Mahbaz, Efat, Women rights activist /Journalist– England, London
160. Mahdjoubi, Ali, Member of Parliamet - Germany, Berlin
161. Mahjoubi, Ebrahim, Human Rights Activist – Germany, Cologne
162. Malakooty, Sirus, Classical Guitar Player/ Composer/ Lecturer - England, London
163. Malekzadeh, Ali, Human Rights Activist
164. Manoo, Missaghi, Social Analyst, Canada, Toronto
165. Masoudi, Banafsheh, Reasercher – France, Paris
166. Massoumi, Bahram, Writer/Activist - Germany
167. Masumian, Nima, Teacher – Spain
168. Mazhar, Varya, Writer/ Poet – Finnlands, Helsinki
169. Mehr, Bijan, Political Activist – USA, Boston
170. Mirfakhrai, Mehran, Architect/ Human Rights Supporter – Italy
171. Miremadi, Bijan, Professor University Vancouver – Canada Vancouver
172. Mir Mobini, Hossein, Journalist – USA, California
173. Mir Sattari, Anwar, President of EuroPers Human Rights – Belgium, Brussel
174. Moghaddas, Mehran, Play writer/Theatre Director – Denmark, Copenhagen
175. Mohamadi, Majid, Professor/Writer/Reasercher – USA, NY
176. Moheb, Robab, Writer/ Poet - Sweden
177. Mohtasham, Yashar, Activist – France, Paris
178. Mokhtari, Sohrab, Writer, Germany, Berlin
179. Morad, Daryoush, Human Rights Activist - Germany, Cologne
180. Moshkin Ghalam, Shahrokh, Actor/Dancer – France, Paris
181. Mossaed, Jila, Poet/Writer - Sweden, Göteborg.
182. Mossallanejad, Ezat, Writer/Human right Activist, CCVT – Canada, Toronto
183. Naghibzadeh, Fathiyeh, Germany, Berlin
184. Nakhai, Shahbaz, Journalist – Canada
185. Nazarian, Arsen, Translator - Holand
186. Nejad, Mohsen, Political Activist – USA, California
187. Nejati, Ahmad, Human Rights Supporter - Belgium
188. Niroumand, Bahman, Writer/Journalist – Germany, Berlin
189. Noghrekar, Masoud, Writer – USA Florida
190. Nourmanesh, Shirindokht, Writer/ Activist – USA, California
191. Nowzari, Hamid, Political Activist - Germany, Berlin
192. Omidmehr, Ali Akbar, Researcher/ Professor - Denmark
193. Omidmehr, Ashraf Sadat, Teacher/ Human Rights Activist – Denmark
194. Omidnehr, Mahraz, professor - Denmark
195. Omid, Mahzad, Reasercher/Professor - Denmark
196. Ostovar, Yavar, Poet - Sweden
197. Pak Anna, Asyeh, Women right activist – France
198. Paki, Morteza, Human Right Activist, Canada
199. Parham, Babak, Poet - USA
200. Parsa, Kourosh, Human Rights Activist - USA
201. Parsa, Soheil, Theatre Director - Canada Toronto
202. Parsi, Touradj, Researcher/Ex-Professor - Sweden
203. Payandeh, Mehrdad, DGB Director, Germany, Hanover
204. Pegahi, Mahshid, Women Rights Activist - Germany
205. Pourmandi, Ahmad, Political Activist – Germany, Munich
206. Pour-Naghavi, Ali, Political Activist, Holand
207. Rafiee, Keyvan, Human Rights Activist – Iran
208. Rahbari, Alexander, Composer/ Music Professor – Austria Vienna
209. Rahimi, Khosro, Radio Producer - Sweden, Gutenberg
210. Rahnamaee, M.J., Music Reasercher/ Poet - Holand
211. Ramezani, Rahim, Political Activist – Turkey Van
212. Ranjbar, Darvish, Former Diplomat of IR of Iran.
213. Ranjbar, Kazem, Political Sociology Scientist – France, Paris
214. Rashedan, Nima, Political Reasercher/Analyst – Swiss
215. Rashidi, Asad, writer/Poet - Germany
216. Rastgar, Iraj, Human Rights Activist – USA, Texas
217. Rasti, Mahshid, Women/Human Rights Activist- Sweden, Stockholm
218. Razavi, Rasoul, Human Rights Activist – Germany Bonn
219. Roshan, Mitra, Journalist – Canada, Montreal
220. Saadati, Mansoor, Chemist – Canada, Edmonton
221. Sabety, Setareh, Writer/Teacher – France, Nice
222. Sadr, Hamid, Writer – Germany
223. Sadreddin, Zahed, Actor/Teather Director – France, Paris
224. Safaei, E., Poet/Political Activist – Germany, Colonia
225. Sahimi, Muhammad Professor, University of Southern California – USA, California
226. Sakhaee, Manoucher, Singer/Jurnalist – Germany
227. Salary, Babak, Photograph - Canada
228. Samadpouri, Ali, Political Activist – Belgium
229. Samadany, Faramarz, Chemist - USA
230. Samienejad, Mojtaba, Journalist, Iran
231. Sarhaddi, Arash, Actor/Teather Director - Germany, Berlin
232. Sarshar, Homa, Writer/Journalist – USA, Los Angeles
233. Sedghi, Majid, Journalist – Franc, Paris
234. Sehati, Parisa, Women Rights Activist - Sweden
235. Seihoun, Farideh, Professor, Framingham State College- USA
236. Servati, Mojgan, Sosiologist/Writer/Reasercher - Germany
237. Setoodeh, Behrouz, Political Analyst - USA
238. Shabafrooz, Masood, Human Rights Activist – USA California
239. Shafaei, Javad, Italia, Roma
240. Shafaei, Manuchehr, Artist/Activist, Germany
241. Shafie, Minoo, Human Rights Activist - Denmark
242. Shafigh, Shahla,( Chahla Chafiq) Writer/Researcher – France, Paris
243. Shamshiri, Fariborz, Human Rights Activist - Canada
244. Shemiranie, Khosro, Journalist - Canada, Montreal
245. Sheyda. Behrooz, Literary Critic/Theorist- Sweden, Stockholm
246. Shirazi, Jahangir, Journalist/Activist – Holand
247. Simai, Behrouz, Poet/Writer - USA
248. Sina, Bijan, Medical Doctor - Germany
249. Sobhani, Sohrab, International Affairs Consultant - USA, Washington, DC
250. Sohi, Siamak , human Rights Activist - Denmark
251. Soltani, Anwar, Reasercher - England
252. Taghipoor, Masoomeh, Actor/Theatre Director - Sweden, Göteborg.
253. Tahavori, Mohammad, Journalist, USA, MA Cambridge
254. Tavackoli, Shahin, Medical Doctor – USA, Huston
255. Torabi, Mohammad, Telcom Research Scientist - USA, Dana Point
256. Vahdat, Kamran, Professor – USA, Amherst
257. Vahdati, Soheila, Human Rights Activist – USA, California
258. Yadegari, Shahrokh, Composer/Professor University Of California - USA, California
259. Yousefi, Nasser, Teather Director/Radio Producer – Sweden, Stockholm
260. Youssefi, Hadi, Human Rights Activist – Denmark
261. Zahed, Sadreddin, Stage Actor/ theatre Director – France, Paris
262. Zahedi, Mitra, Theatre Director – Germany, Berlin
263. Zandian, Mandana, Medical Doctor/Writer/Poet – USA
264. Zarasvand, Hossein, Poet – Toronto Canada
265. Zarei, Faramarz, Actor – China
266. Zeinali, Lohrasb, Political Activist – Germany
267. Zerehi, Hassan, Editor-in-chief of Shahrvand, Canada, Toronto

If you want to join us, go to www.we-are-ashamed.com [1]

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