Sergey Filatov, a Jehovah’s Witness sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony for worshipping in private (Credit: jw-russia.org)
Nine Jehovah’s Witnesses living in the occupied territory of Crimea are currently serving heavy prison terms of 54 to 72 months for exercising their right to freedom of assembly and worship in private houses:
4 years 1/2: Vladimir Maladyka (60), Vladimir Sakada (51) and Yevgeniy Zhukov (54)
5 years and 3 months: Aleksandr Dubovenko (51) and Aleksandr Litvinyuk (63),
6 years: Sergey Filatov (51), Artem Gerasimov (39) and Igor Shmidt
6 years ½: Viktor Stashevkiy
Releases should not be expected until 2016 in six cases, 2017 in one case and 2018 in two cases.
In Russia the government has not only banned the Witnesses’ legal entities but it has clearly shown its intent to wipe out their peaceful worship.
Since the ban of their religion in April 2017, the authorities have conducted numerous raids on their gatherings throughout the country, resulting in the arrest and imprisonment of scores of Witnesses. The same heavy-handed tactics have also been used against Jehovah’s Witnesses in Crimea.
The first mass raid in Crimea took place on 15 November 2018, in Dzhankoy, when approximately 200 police and special forces officers raided eight private homes in which small groups of Witnesses were meeting together to read and discuss the Bible.
At least 35 armed and masked officers forcibly entered the home of Sergey Filatov, where a group of six Witnesses were gathered. The Witnesses were terrorized by this aggressive action. The intruders pinned a 78-year-old man against the wall, forced him to the ground, handcuffed him, and beat him so badly that he was rushed to the hospital. Two other older men were so traumatized that they were rushed to the hospital with extremely high blood pressure. Tragically, a young woman whose house was also raided suffered a miscarriage.
Following the raid, Sergey Filatov was criminally charged under Article 282.2(1) of the Russian Criminal Code with organizing the activity of an “extremist organization.” On 5 March 2020, the district court in Crimea sentenced him to six years in a general regime prison colony.
In the years following the 2018 raid in Dzhankoy, special forces officers continue to forcibly enter the homes of Witnesses who were suspected of the ‘extremist activity’ of worshipping. The most recent raid occurred on 22 May 2023. At 6:30 in the morning, more than ten officers, five of whom were armed, entered a home in Feodosia. They ordered the Witnesses to lie on the floor while they searched the home for more than three hours. One of the male Witnesses was detained and taken to Sevastopol for questioning.
As of 21 June 2024, 128 Jehovah’s Witnesses were serving a prison term in Russia and 9 more in occupied Crimea. All have been charged with promoting the activities of an ‘extremist organization.’ See the documented cases in HRWF Database of FORB Prisoners.
Police in New Caledonia have arrested the leader of the country’s independence protest, Reuters reports. Christian Thane was detained before giving a press conference. Apart from Thane, seven other people have been arrested.
Thane led a branch of the Caledonian Union, which organized barricades in the capital Noumea that disrupted traffic, movement and food supplies. He was among the pro-independence political figures who met French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to New Caledonia.
Nine people died, including two policemen, in the unrest that gripped New Caledonia last month after France proposed electoral reforms allowing thousands of French residents who have lived in the French Pacific territory for more than 10 years to vote.
Local Kanaks fear this will dilute the vote and make it more difficult to hold a future independence referendum. According to Paris, the measure is necessary to improve democracy.
Macron announced last week that he was suspending electoral reform. Pro-independence groups for New Caledonia want it to be fully withdrawn before dialogue on the island’s political future can begin again.
New Caledonia’s international airport reopened this week, although a curfew is still in place and several thousand French police reinforcements remain.
Illustrative Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-s-hands-on-the-table-wearing-handcuffs-7773260/
Among the gifts was a portrait of the Russian leader
Vladimir Putin presented his friend Kim Jong Un with a new luxury limousine and other fine gifts. And in return he received a pair of North Korean hunting dogs during his historic state visit to Pyongyang.
The two leaders exchanged gifts on the sidelines of their summit to deepen ties as Russia and North Korea face growing isolation on the world stage.
Kim presented the Russian president, who is a dog lover, with two poungsan quadrupeds, a white-furred hunting dog breed that is mainly bred in North Korea and is not popular outside its borders.
The two leaders were photographed looking at the dogs, who were tied to a rose-covered fence.
Putin also received various works of art depicting his likeness, including a bust and a portrait.
The spirituality of the Focolare, a movement recognized by the Catholic Church, is also experienced to some degree by members of other religions. During the interreligious congress that Focolare recently organized, witnesses from faithful of various religions testified to this.
Farouk Mesli encountered the Focolare ideal a long time ago, in 1968. At that time, he lived in confusion, confronted with ideologies of all kinds. When meeting the Focolare he was touched that they live the Word of God together. For him, an ideal that is not lived and shared is worth nothing.
But, at the adhering to the Movement a doubt had set in within him, because it is a Christian Movement. This led him to reflect on his own faith, purify his heart and be a Muslim by choice, living the Word of God. “I was then convinced that fraternity is achieved through love, by loving the faith of others as my own,” he said.
Unity in diversity
A Hindu, Vinu Aram, tells her story of friendship with Chiara Lubich, the founder of Focolare and Niko Niwano , founder of the Risho – Kosei -Kai Buddhist movement in Japan. She always has a photo in front of herself with them. “I have had 30 encounters in 29 years and I have discovered that reciprocal listening is the cornerstone of dialogue,” she says.
Through these encounters, she received the gift of unity in diversity that Gandhi desired. She was very touched by the love of several members of the Movement, a love that transcended differences.
Vinu Aram explains that the search for truth, unity and God is at the heart of Hinduism. We must always ask ourselves: “what can strengthen trust in others”? The solid basis of our dialogue is the concrete way of loving and building trust, which arouses joy. “I hope that we can demonstrate that it is possible to build this unity in diversity in the next 20 years.” . What we experience today determines what we will experience tomorrow.”
Ask good questions
Jessica Sacks, a young Jew from Tel Aviv, quotes Rabbi Shimeon ben Azzai : “Do not despise anyone or reject anything, for everything has its function. ” Everyone has a time in their life where they are called to greatness. She is here to meet different people, but also discovers so many points in common between her spirituality and that of the Focolare. It strengthens her in the spirit of dialogue and the desire for peace, while war rages at home.
“The wise man is not the one who studies much, but the one who learns from everyone he meets ,” says another thinker of the Mishnah. The dialogue begins by asking questions. She is blessed here to meet people who know how to ask good questions.
Receive new momentum
A Jordanian working with Caritas, Omar Keilani grew up in an open Muslim family. He met the Focolare 20 years ago and was touched by their listening. During the meetings, everyone could retain their own identity. It strengthened his relationship with God and taught him how to build relationships with people of all walks of life. “God created us different to compete in mercy,” says the Koran. This is what I explored further in contact with them. I hope that this meeting will give us new impetus to live as a single human family. I’m not surprised that everyone here is smiling,” he says.
Accept suffering
Preeyanoot Surinkaev comes from Thailand and lives the ideal of Focolare among Buddhists. The meaning of his new name “ Meta ”, which Chiara Lubich gave her, is “love” in Thai. “ Thanks to the encounter with this spirituality, the roots of my Buddhist faith deepened ,” she confides.
One day she asked her who God is, love. A great light then entered her. She discovered that everything that happened to her was an expression of his love. “We must therefore not flee suffering, but welcome it in the present moment, in love. What really matters is to love. “It gave me a better understanding of Buddhism’s ‘four noble truths’ about suffering,” she says.
Love is the answer
Emilia Khoury, a Christian from the Holy Land, felt great suffering after the massacres of October 7 and the war that followed. But she remembered the suffering of Jesus who continued to love until the end. She understood that love is the answer to all suffering and division. ” I have this responsibility to be a witness to God’s love in all circumstances. In the current situation, I also understood that my love must be manifested above all in listening. And I pray a lot, because Prayer is even more necessary than food.
Peace, a constant choice
Taj Basman, comes from the Philippines and experienced diversity from his childhood: his father being Muslim and his mother converted to Christianity. However, he faced discrimination. He wanted to overcome stereotypes by showing what Islam really is. Marked by his mother’s commitment to forgiveness, he wants to perpetuate her legacy of peace and understanding. “For me, peace is not an idea, but a choice to be made again every day; it begins with us, with our closest relationships.”
The “dice of love”
The coordinator of the “Living Peace” initiative, Carlos Palma lived in Jerusalem. He was shocked the day some children asked him what would happen when there were no more wars. He realized that these children did not know peace since they were born. This posed the question: “What am I doing for a culture of peace”?
For him, this culture begins with a culture of love. He then launched the “Living peace” project inspired by Chiara Lubich’s “Art of loving ”, with the practice of the “ love dice ”. On the faces of the dice is written the various points of the “art of loving”. ( see : https://www.focolare.org/fr/2011/10/15/francais-le-de-de-lamour/ ) He experienced it with children in Cairo and asked them to tell how they experienced the sentence read in the morning. It all started with these 12 Muslim children. This practice then spread to the Gulf countries. Sometimes with words inspired by the Koran. The same experience was then experienced with Buddhists, Hindus and members of a Gandhian movement.
Win the children
A Muslim from Macedonia, Liridona Suma had to go against the current to live the spirituality of the Focolare. She works in a multi-ethnic school where she noticed the tensions between the children. She wanted to organize a concert with them but did not receive permission until one day she proposed a benefit concert for a sick child. This was a success, and the children began creating bonds of friendship.
A dialogue between Jews and Muslims
Ramazan Özgü, from the Turkish community in German speaking Switzerland, experiences beautiful interreligious encounters. Since 2012, he has worked with a group of Jews. A mutual understanding was then born. The situation in the Middle East was a test, but it strengthened their relationships. The group grew and formed an “anti-hate coalition” and helped each other counter anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
After October 7, Muslims and Jews felt judgments. “Safe spaces” were then created for participants to express their feelings. They understood that mourning and victim status is common to both religions. “I also had to fight my own prejudices, which are ready to come out. I understood that I must work on myself first,” he confides.
Political friendship is possible
Former Secretary of the Ministry of Culture of Slovenia, Silvester Gaberscek had the responsibility of liaising with religious communities. He organized a two-day march with people of various religions, creating a beautiful relationship with the Mufti of Ljubljana. This friendship proved very useful in overcoming, subsequently, a crisis due to intolerant positions regarding Islam on the part of a politician.
Thanks to this good relationship, the Minister of Culture was won over to interreligious dialogue. This relationship then expanded to many other people, reaching several religious and political leaders, within the framework of an International Forum held in Koper, Slovenia. This Forum in the very secularized society of this country received a positive response. The decision was made to hold this Forum again in June 2025.Other articles on this conference: https://www.hoegger.org/article/one-human-family/
Russia, China and North Korea will soon begin negotiations to allow Chinese ships to pass through the border Tumen River in the Sea of Japan. This was reported by NEXTA TV, citing The Moscow Times and Nikkei Asia.
The Tumen River flows along the border of China, North Korea and Russia and flows into the Sea of Japan. Chinese ships can now move freely along the river only up to the village of Fangchuan and cannot go out to sea, as they need permission from Russia and North Korea to pass the remaining 15 km stretch. Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, after their meeting in May, included a paragraph in their joint statement about Russia and China engaging in “constructive dialogue” with North Korea over the Tumen River.
Previously, Russia did not support this Chinese initiative, fearing that in this way Beijing would increase its influence in Northeast Asia. However, amid sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, Moscow is becoming increasingly dependent on the Chinese side, notes The Moscow Times.
Illustrative Photo by KJ Brix: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sandanbeki-cliffs-in-shirahama-wakayama-prefecture-japan-20773245/.
On this day of International Refugee Day, we express our solidarity with the individuals who have been compelled to leave their homes and love ones due to conflicts, violence and persecution. Among them are members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community who endure discrimination, oppression and even threats to their lives in countries like Pakistan.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that there are currently 84 million displaced individuals globally including over 26 million refugees seeking safety beyond borders. As the international community observes World Refugee Day on June 20th it is crucial that we bring attention to the challenging ordeals faced by groups such as the Ahmadis who’re in search of asylum.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community represents a minority within Islam that has encountered persecution and bias in regions of the world especially in countries like Pakistan. In 1974 the Pakistani government designated Ahmadis as “non-Muslims” via an amendment depriving them of their Basin Human Rights and exposing them to violence, target killings and isolation.
Ahmadis residing in Pakistan endure anxiety due to the threat of attacks, social boycott, arbitrary arrests and social marginalization. They are prohibited from declaring their identity, holding gatherings or practicing their faith openly and even in their own houses. Many Ahmadis have fallen victim to targeted violence, mob assaults and false accusations of blasphemy that can result in capital punishment.
CAP Liberté de Conscience and IHRC have been actively advocating for the protection of their basic human and citizen rights. Urging the Pakistani government to halt its systematic mistreatment of this religious minority. Despite these advocacy efforts and struggle the conditions for Ahmadis in Pakistan remain bleak prompting many to seek refuge in pursuit of safety and security for them and their children.
Driven by intolerance and violence prevalent in Pakistan numerous Ahmadis have been compelled to leave their homeland as refugees in search of safety and to follow their belief in peaceful environments. They join millions of refugees who embark on perilous journeys to escape oppression and seek sanctuary.
Upon arriving in third countries, Ahmadi refugees and asylum seekers often encounter obstacles in safeguarding their well-being and basic human rights. In countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Madagascar and Germany where a Ahmadis have sought refuge they continue to confront discrimination, limited access to services like education and the constant risk of deportation.
IHRC and CAP Liberté de Conscience share stories of Ahmadi refugees facing such conditions, in urban slums or detention centers in Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka waiting anxiously for the outcome of their asylum applications. Struggling without status or work rights these individuals and families find it challenging to meet their needs and fit into their new communities.
Additionally, the website sheds light on the difficulties Ahmadi asylum seekers encounter while navigating the demanding asylum process. With documentation language barriers and discrimination based on their beliefs many Ahmadis struggle to prove the legitimacy of their claims and secure the necessary protection.
The Significance of Safeguarding Refugee Rights
The experiences of Ahmadi refugees and asylum seekers underscore the importance of upholding the rights and respect for all displaced individuals regardless of their religion, ethnicity, belief or culture. As we observe International Refugee Day globally it is vital to reaffirm our dedication to offering refuge ensuring access, to services and aiding refugees in adapting to their societies.
According to UNHCR guidelines refugees have the right to seek asylum and enjoy rights outlined in international regulations.
These rights encompass the entitlement, to life, freedom and safety along with the freedom from treatment, unjustifiable arrest and imprisonment. However, these fundamental rights are frequently infringed upon particularly affecting communities such as the Ahmadis who experience added layers of prejudice and exclusion.
On this occasion of International Refugee Day we urge governments, civil society groups and the global community to take actions to safeguard the rights of all refugees, including the Ahmadis seeking refuge from oppression. This involves;
1. Ensuring that asylum procedures are equitable accessible and tailored to meet the needs of groups like the Ahmadis.
2. Providing resources and assistance to host nations so they can provide living conditions, access to essential services and pathways for refugee integration.
3. Advocating for the elimination of laws and policies that discriminate against minorities, like the Ahmadis and deprive them of their essential liberties.
4. Amplifying the voices and experiences of refugee communities to raise awareness and cultivate empathy and comprehension.
5. Encouraging interfaith discussions and collaborative initiatives to tackle the causes of intolerance and persecution leading to forced displacement.
The Ahmadis Search, for Safety and the Shared Duty to Provide Refuge
The struggles of Ahmadi refugees and asylum seekers serve as a reminder of the obstacles faced by those escaping religious persecution. Having to abandon their homes, communities and livelihoods these individuals embark on journeys in pursuit of safety and protection only to encounter challenges and prejudice in the countries they seek refuge.
As we mark International Refugee Day it is our obligation to ensure that the rights and respect of all refugees, including the Ahmadis are respected and safeguarded. By tackling the bias and violence that lead to the displacement of minorities and by offering them the assistance and resources necessary to rebuild their lives we can strive towards a fairer and more inclusive global community.
On this occasion we urge the community to show solidarity with the Ahmadis and all refugees taking steps to uphold their essential human rights. Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our dedication to principles such as dignity, empathy and the universal entitlement to seek shelter and security.
Together we can build a world where nobody is compelled to leave their homes due, to persecution, where every refugee is embraced and empowered to flourish in their host societies.
Let’s commit on this day of International Refugee Day to embody the change we aspire to witness and work towards creating a fairer, equal and encompassing future for everyone.
In a historic and pivotal move, the 14th session of the United Nations – Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) has witnessed a groundbreaking consensus among UN member states. Among the array of measures recommended, the most significant is the proposal for a legally binding instrument—a convention—dedicated to promoting, protecting, and ensuring the recognition and realization of all human rights of older persons.
A historic and crucial development unfolded during the 14th session of the United Nations Open Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG), where a groundbreaking consensus was reached among UN member states. One of the key proposals put forward was the idea of a legally binding instrument, specifically a convention, aimed at advocating for, safeguarding and ensuring the acknowledgment and fulfillment of all human rights for older individuals.
The positive outcomes from this session garnered enthusiastic praise from AGE Platform Europe, a prominent supporter of older persons rights. The suggestion for a UN convention represents a significant milestone in global endeavors to protect the dignity and rights of senior citizens.
Ambassador Ana Paula Zacarias from Portugal, who played a pivotal role in shaping these recommendations, underscored the pressing nature of this endeavor by stating, “The time has come for us to agree on launching negotiations at the United Nations regarding a new internationally binding instrument to uphold and advance the human rights of all elderly individuals.”
Charting Progress
The decision to propose a UN convention marks an important turning point, granting authority to the OEWG Chair to present these recommendations to the UN General Assembly for further discussions on enhancing global efforts towards safeguarding and promoting human rights for older populations. Advocacy Making a Difference;
The dedicated advocacy work of AGE Platform Europe, in partnership with the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People and National Human Rights Institutions, has played a key role in gaining backing, amplifying the voices of elderly individuals and bringing attention to this important issue on a global scale.
Dr. Heidrun Mollenkopf, who serves as President of AGE Platform Europe, stressed the importance of human rights being universal by stating, “Human rights are not limited by age and should be ensured throughout one’s lifetime.” The push for a new UN treaty aims to close existing gaps in protection to ensure that older people receive equal rights and respect as other age groups.
Charting the Path Ahead
As efforts towards a new UN treaty move forward, it is crucial for the EU and its member countries to honor their commitments and put recommendations into action. The expected approval of a new General Assembly resolution in the near future highlights the necessity for concrete steps in drafting a comprehensive UN treaty.
Get Involved
Individuals can support the call for equal rights in old age by encouraging their governments to actively endorse the UN treaty and by signing petitions advocating for older people’s rights. The collective endeavor to bring this treaty to fruition represents an essential stride towards creating a more inclusive and fair future for elderly individuals globally.
The European Commission has made a landmark announcement today, proposing an annual EU budget of €199.7 billion for the year 2025. This substantial budget will be complemented by an estimated €72 billion in disbursements under the NextGenerationEU program. The proposed financial allocation is designed to reinforce funding for Europe’s key priorities, aligning with the revisions made to the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in February 2024.
The draft budget for 2025 emphasizes the strategic distribution of funds to address critical areas and align with the needs of EU member states and global partners. The primary goal is to enhance Europe‘s resilience and adaptability for the future, ultimately benefitting EU citizens and businesses. This will be achieved through initiatives that promote green and digital transitions, create employment opportunities, and enhance Europe‘s strategic autonomy and global influence. The proposed budget will also extend support to essential technologies through the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).
Key Highlights of the budget:
Support for Partner Regions: The budget allocates significant funds to continue supporting Syrian refugees in Türkiye, the wider region, the Southern Neighbourhood, and the Western Balkans. Additionally, stable support is earmarked for Ukraine.
Allocation Breakdown: Among the notable allocations are €53.8 billion for the Common Agricultural Policy, €49.2 billion for regional development and cohesion, and €16.3 billion for international cooperation, including funds for the Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument.
Research and Innovation: A substantial portion, €13.5 billion, will be dedicated to research and innovation, with a significant sum allocated to Horizon Europe, the Union’s flagship research program.
Strategic Investments: The budget includes provisions for European strategic investments, focusing on areas such as cross-border infrastructure, digital transformation, and key technological advancements.
Focused Initiatives: Specific budgetary allocations target environment and climate action, border protection, migration-related spending, defense capabilities, and the functioning of the Single Market, among others.
Upcoming Adoption: The annual budget for 2025 is set to be formally adopted by the Budgetary Authority before the year’s end, following a thorough review process.
The proposed budget for 2025, rooted in the long-term budget framework adopted in 2020 and amended in 2024, underscores the Union’s commitment to turning its priorities into tangible outcomes. The financial plan aims to drive impactful changes and advancements across a spectrum of areas crucial for Europe’s development and sustainability.
In an eagerly awaited UEFA EURO 2024 Group B game, Spain is gearing up to go head to head with Italy on Thursday, June 20, at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen. Following impressive performances in their opening matches, this upcoming clash is anticipated to be an intense battle between two top European teams.
Spain demonstrated their strength in the first match against Croatia by securing a convincing win with three well executed goals in the initial half. Fabián Ruiz stood out with a brilliant assist and a goal of his own. The youthful enthusiasm of players like 16 year old Lamine Yamal added an extra spark to La Roja’s performance, setting the scene for an exciting showdown with Italy.
Meanwhile, Italy bounced back from an early setback against Albania to clinch a hard fought victory in their opening game. With a track record of success against Spain in recent competitions, the Azzurri understand the challenge that awaits them. Defender Alessandro Bastoni stressed the need to exploit Spain’s vulnerabilities to claim another win in this historic rivalry.
The potential line ups for the match provide insight into each team’s strength and tactical approach.
Spain’s strong offensive led by players such as Morata and Fabián Ruiz will aim to challenge Italy’s defense, while the Azzurri will seek to respond with their own mix of skilled play and tactical expertise.
Both teams come into the game with impressive records, setting the scene for a closely fought battle on the pitch. Expert predictions suggest confidence within each team, with Spain looking to capitalize on their momentum and Italy aiming to display their defensive strength against a potent Spanish offense.
As the coaches exchange words of respect and determination, a classic showdown is in store that could easily pass for a final match. With both countries having rich footballing histories and a thirst for victory, fans can anticipate an event that captures the essence of EURO competition.
The big question looms. Will Spain’s attacking style triumph or will Italy’s defensive stability be the deciding factor in this thrilling clash between two football powerhouses? All eyes will be on Arena AufSchalke as Spain and Italy gear up to revive their rivalry on the grand stage of EURO 2024.
GENEVA—18 June 2024— In a moving statement, 10 Iranian women imprisoned in Tehran’s Evin Prison have honored 10 Iranian Baha’i women imprisoned four decades earlier, in Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz. The statement echoes the #OurStoryIsOne campaign, launched a year ago in honor of the 10 Baha’i women, who were eventually all executed on the night of 18 June 1983.
Writing from the women’s ward of Evin Prison, the statement reads: “After years of imprisonment alongside Baha’i women, witnessing the relentless pressures and injustices they endure for their beliefs, and hearing their stories across generations, we unequivocally recognize that ‘our story is one.’”
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who remains behind bars in Evin prison, is one of the signatories, along with nine others: Mahboubeh Rezayi, Hasti Amiri, Samaneh Asghari, Sakineh Parvaneh, Maryam Yahyaei, Nahid Taghavi, Anisha Assadollahi, Sepideh Gholian, and Golrokh Iraee.
Calling the execution of the 10 women—the youngest of whom was 17 and who were hanged one at a time, as the others were forced to watch—“one of the most shocking stories we have heard,” Mohammadi and her co-signatories also lamented the execution of “nearly 300 of our Baha’i compatriots” in the years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
“Our silence in the face of this oppression against a group in society whose mere existence as Baha’i citizens has been criminalized has made these crimes less costly for the regime and paved the way for their repetition and intensification,” the statement said. “Differences in political views or beliefs have never been, are not, and will not be a barrier to supporting justice.”
“We stand by our Baha’i compatriots until the end of the suffering imposed on them,” the statement concludes, signing off: “Women’s Ward, Evin Prison, Iran, #OurStoryIsOne.”
“Forty-one years ago, 10 innocent Baha’i women were executed in the dead of night, and the Iranian government tried to bury their names and stories from history,” said Simin Fahandej, Representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva. “But this ruthless act instead brought about a movement dedicated to unity and made these women global symbols of an unwavering commitment to what is just, to one’s truth, and the principle of equality, even at the cost of their lives. The statement by the 10 imprisoned Iranian women is an example of the millions, not only in Iran but around the world, who have come to see the story of these women as their own, as part of the stories of all Iranian women, indeed all women globally, in their struggle for justice and the equality of women and men.”
And as the campaign reaches its one-year mark, the underlying themes of the campaign resonate and live on, with many, both in Iran and globally, continuing to support the ideas the campaign has brought forth including unity in diversity and gender equality.
The campaign has reached millions of people inside Iran and in every part of the world—with hundreds of public statements of support from diverse ethnic and religious groups.
The one-year anniversary of #OurStoryIsOne has also been marked by the release of a major new documentary by Iran International, a prominent television broadcaster. The film, to be broadcast several times between 18-20 June, titled “The Women Who Said No” (teaser 1, teaser 2), tells the story of the 10 executed women through interviews, archival material and re-constructed footage.
This follows a documentary released last year by Radio Farda, titled “Before Sunrise,” also about the 10 Baha’i women who were hanged just before dawn.
Baha’i communities around the world have also been holding special commemorative events, from concerts to gallery exhibitions, showcasing some of the thousands of artistic contributions made by members of the public to the #OurStoryIsOne campaign during the past year.
“The overwhelming response to the Our Story Is One campaign shows the profound global resonance with the sacrifice of the 10 women in Shiraz and to the themes of unity and gender equality,” Ms. Fahandej said. “The extraordinary artistic contributions and global support in so many diverse ways have shown the power of collective action in transforming a tragic story into a story of hope, inspiration and united action to shape our collective destiny. ‘Our story is one’ is the message honoring the 10 Baha’i women who were executed over 40 years ago, in silence. Today, their stories have become the symbols of a collective effort towards equality, justice and truth, which will ultimately prevail.”
