As some people know, in Iran, Bahá’ís are denied some basic rights. Amongst them the right to access to Universities.
After international pressure, the Islamic Government decided to stop the policy of asking for religion on the exams to enter Universities. This way, Bahá’í youth was able to apply and access the University.
Then, a new process started. Universities didn’t accept them, despite their marks being far superior to others. At the end, from the thousands accepted only approximately 100 got in.
And now? Seventy (after other seventy during this year) of them were expelled! According to the Povo of Bahá (a Portuguese blog), the Iranian Government has denied the allegation of religious grounds on the expulsion! Asked by Reuters (published on February, 28th), a member of the Iranian delegation in the United Nations affirmed: "No one in Iran is stopped of studying because of religion".
But, then again, we also find out information (written, printed, and signed information!) about Iranian Leaders. Issued on November, 2nd 2006 by the direction of the Payame Noor University you can read the following document:
Central Protection Office
Protection Office of Region 5
(Provinces of Fárs [Fars], Búshihr [Bushehr], KahKílúyih [Kahkiluyeh] and Buyr-A:mad
[Boyer Ahmad])
To the honourable directors of all the centres,
Greetings,
With respect, according to the ruling of the Cultural Revolutionary Council and the instructions of the Ministry of Information and the Head Protection Office of the Central Organization of Payám-i-Núr University, Bahá’ís cannot enrol in universities and higher education centres.
Therefore, such cases if encountered should be reported, their enrolment should be strictly avoided, and if they are already enrolled they should be expelled.
Confirmation comes from God alone.
[Signature illegible]
Central Protection Office of Payám-i-Núr University
Protection Officer of Payám-i-Núr University, region 5
[Signature]
(Provinces of Fárs, Búshihr, KahKílúyih and Buyr- A:mad)
[Stamp]
CONFIDENTIAL
Mu‘allim Square-Avval-i-Himmat-i-Junúbí
Samti chap-Payám-i-Núr University, region 5
Post Office Box: 1774
Telephone: (0711) 628323809
Fax: 6283727
The Bahá’í International Community Representative, Ms. Dugal makes the following remark, with which we must agree:
"In its public face, Iran claims that it has finally opened the doors to Baha'i students, after some 25 years of keeping them out of public and private universities in Iran. But, as evidenced by this confidential memorandum from the Payame Noor central office, the real policy is apparently to simply expel Baha'is as soon as they can be identified".
And… The questions lied ahead: What are we doing to stop this Educational Genocide?
Labels: blogs, human rights, reasons, religion, world citizenship
