We do this by making representations to the Australian Government and by liaising with human rights and other non-government organisations. We also inform the media about violations of the human rights of the Baha’is in Iran, and we facilitate media contact with Australian relatives of Baha’i prisoners, Bahais in Australia who have first hand experience of the persecution and official media spokespeople.

The full emancipation of this peaceful, law-abiding community remains a central concern of Baha’is across Australia and around the world.

Read the latest update on the persecution of Baha'is in Iran.

Australia condemns persecution

The Australian Parliament gave bipartisan support to Parliamentary resolutions condemning the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran in 1981, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2012.

For more than two decades, the Australian Government has also supported United Nations resolutions condemning the persecution of the Baha’is of Iran. Australia co-sponsored the most recent resolution in December 2010.

Since the UN Human Rights Council was established in 2006, the Australian Government has spoken out about the human rights situation of the Baha’is in Iran at Council sessions. Most recently, in June 2011, Australian representatives made forthright statements on the issue.

In response to regular media inquiries, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has made public statements calling for the human rights of imprisoned Baha’i leaders to be respected.

State Parliaments in Australia and individual Federal and State MPs have also spoken out against the persecution and called on the Iranian authorities to respect the human rights of Baha’is in Iran.

The scrutiny and support of the international community remains virtually the only tool for the protection of Bahá'ís and other people in Iran whose rights are egregiously violated.

Since 1979, Baha’is in Iran have been denied access to university education on the basis of their religious belief. Iranian universities are instructed by the Government to expel Baha’i students.

Australian Baha'is are working to raise awareness about this issue in the higher education sector by means of the “Closed Doors” campaign.

Ongoing international support and scrutiny is crucial to ensure that Iranian Baha’i students can obtain university education like all other Iranian citizens. The right to education is enshrined in international covenants to which Iran is a party.

Further details about Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is are available here.

The following documents are available for download:

The Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) was founded in 1987 in response to the Iranian government's continuing refusal to allow Iranian Baha’is access to higher education.

Lecturers and researchers who had been discharged from Iranian universities and colleges due to their membership of the Baha’i Faith dedicated themselves to the BIHE in order to provide young members of their community with access to higher education.

Courses delivered at the outset by correspondence, for security reasons, are now provided on-line, using the latest communication technologies.

Over time, the BIHE has evolved to a university with academic standards not only on par with the Iranian public university system, but also equalling the standards adopted by universities in the West.

It offers 14 undergraduate degree programs and three graduate programs across three faculties, with more than 700 courses in sciences, social sciences and the arts, ranging from Persian Literature to Applied Chemistry.

An affiliated global faculty comprised of hundreds of volunteer lecturers from universities outside Iran assists the BIHE as researchers, teachers and consultants.

BIHE graduates have been accepted into postgraduate programs in more than 20 universities and colleges in Australia, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Norway, India, and New Zealand.

These achievements have been attained despite BIHE faculty and students consistently facing stifling and oppressive conditions. Denied any government recognition, they have been forced to operate in discreet locations and have been subject to numerous arrests, periodic raids, mass confiscation of school equipment and general harassment. Most recently, in May 2011, 39 homes of people associated with the BIHE were raided and 18 individuals arrested. Nine faculty and staff members remain in prison as of October 2011.

Education Under Fire
Universities across Australia are currently screening the ground breaking documentary, Education Under Fire.

You are welcome to take action by hosting a screening in your area. 

Email us if you'd like to express your interest in being involved with this campaign.