| In yet another clear violation of the human rights of the Baha'is of Iran, nearly 1,000 Baha'i university-age students in Iran have been told they must accept identification as Muslims in order to enter university this year, the Baha'i International Community has learned. Representatives of the Baha'i International Community heard yesterday about the action, which involves pre-printing the word "Islam" in a slot listing a prospective student's religious affiliation on national college entrance examination results, which were distributed to students recently. The move comes after Baha'i students were led to believe, through Government pronouncements in the news media and private assurances, that their religion would not be an issue on university entrance forms this year in Iran. "The Iranian Government is, in effect, attempting to force Baha'i youth to recant their faith if they want to go to university," said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations. "This action goes against all the assurances that Iran has been giving the international community about its desire to respect religious freedom, and, indeed, against international covenants on human rights to which Iran is a party," said Ms. Dugal. |