UN experts call for immediate release of Bahá’ís

Geneva– Apostasy and spying charges brought against 24 people in Yemen, mostly from the Baha’i minority, must be dropped and discriminatory practices based on religion or belief should be outlawed, UN experts said.

On 15 September 2018, criminal proceedings were initiated against the 24 individuals among whom at least 22 are Bahá’ís, including eight women and a minor at Sana’a Specialized Criminal Court. The defendants were not investigated nor were they informed by the prosecution of the pending charges against them prior at the start of the trials.

The charges include apostasy, the teaching of the Bahá’i faith, and espionage, the latter punishable with the death penalty if convicted.

“We are very concerned at the criminal prosecution of these persons based on charges connected to their religion or belief,” said the UN experts. “We are particularly concerned that some of the charges include crimes that carry the death penalty.”

On 29 September 2018, five of the indicted individuals, who remain in detention appeared before the court. The judge ordered that the names of the remaining 19 indicted individuals be published in a local newspaper.

“We reiterate our call to the de facto authorities in Sana’a to put an immediate stop to the persistent persecution of Bahá’ís in Yemen and to release those arrested due to their religion or belief,” the UN experts said, adding that international human rights obligations apply to de facto authorities exercising effective control.

The next hearing is scheduled 40 days following the court hearing of 29 September 2018.

ENDS

* UN experts: Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur onfreedom of religion or belief; Mr. David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Mr Diego García-Sayán, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Mr.Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues; Ms Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions

Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.

They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

Check the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief

UN Human Rights, country page: Yemen

For more information and media requests please contact: Ms. Maken Tzeggai (+41 22 917 9889 / mtzeggai@ohchr.org)

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact:

Jeremy Laurence, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)