Welcome to the Bahá'í International Community United Nations Office

Civil Society Celebrates Creation of Gender Equality After Four Years of Advocacy

30 June (New York) - The Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) Campaign celebrates the UN General Assembly resolution (agreed to on 30 June) to be formally adopted on Friday, 2 July, to establish “UN Women”—the new gender equality entity at the UN.   The new entity, to be headed by an Under-Secretary General, will consolidate the four existing UN bodies on women, increase operational capacity at the country level and gain increased funding for work on women’s empowerment and advancement. The Bahá'í International Community, a member of the Campaign’s Facilitation Committee, joins civil society around the world in celebrating the birth of “UN Women” and pledges its continued commitment to the cause of gender equality. Read GEAR Press Release.

Representatives highlight the plight of imprisoned Bahá'ís at Human Rights Council Session

Bahá'í International Community representative, Diane Alai speaking at a panel during the 14th Session of the Human Rights Council.

18 June (Geneva) – The Bahá'í International Community participated in the 14^th session of the Human Rights Council. The situation of human rights in Iran was raised a number of times by members of the Council and observers. Bahá’í International Community representatives addressed the Council on two occasions to highlight the situation of the trial of the former Bahá'í leaders as well as the plight of imprisoned Baha’is in Shiraz  (statement/ video). In the context of the adoption of the report of Iran’s Universal Periodic Review, representatives expressed concern at Iran’s responses to questions raised by States and NGOs (statement/video). more…

Assembly President Meets Representatives of GEAR Campaign

Representatives of the GEAR campaign with General Assembly President

17 June 2010 (New York)— GEAR Campaign representatives, including Bahá'í International Community’s representative Bani Dugal, met with Ali Abdussalam Treki, President of the 64^th session of the General Assembly, to deliver the petition urging the General Assembly to establish a new women's entity. The petition was signed by 34,555 people from 165 countries and territories around the world. Read GEAR Press Release.

A call to “rethinking prosperity” at CSD-18

Delegates at CSD 18

14 May 2010 (New York)—Fourteen Bahá'í delegates from five countries played an active role at the 18th Session of the Commission, which explored (among its themes) sustainable consumption and production. The Bahá'í International Community was an Organizing Partner for the ‘Youth and Children’ and ‘Women’ Major Group; organized a panel on “Rethinking Prosperity: Forging Alternatives to a Culture of Consumerism,” and contributed its perspectives participation in Commission discussions, side events, and its statement  to the Commission. Read statement [PDF] [HTML]

Panel: Tim Jackson, Victoria Thoresen, Jeff Barber, Luis Flores Mimica, Kiara Worth [article] [Video]
Interviews: Tim Jackson, Victoria Thoresen, Duncan Hanks, youth delegates 
Articles: “Tim Jackson arrives at CSD 18,”  “Youth caucus involves underprivileged children...”

Reflections on insights from the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Interview with Steven Gonzales

30 April 2010 (New York) - The Bahá'í International Community’s delegate to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Professor Steven Gonzales (Phoenix International School of Law) reflected on the evolution of the Forum and the insights gained from participation at this unique UN Forum. At its 9^th Session (19-30 April), the Forum considered the theme of indigenous peoples’ “development with culture and identity.”

Bahá'í delegates active at the Commission on the Status of Women

Bahá'í delegates to the 54th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

12 March (New York) - Twenty-five Bahá'í delegates from 13 countries attended this year’s Commission, which marked the 15^th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Delegates made contributions to UN discussions through participation in meetings with government delegations and at side events. more…

• Interview with Brazilian delegate, Mary Aune
• Interview with UK delegate, Zarin Hainsworth
• Interview with Prof. Michael Karlberg about portrayal of girls and women in the media

Nations rally to defend human rights in Iran

The Palace of Nations - Geneva

15 February (Geneva) — Countries from around the world have voiced strong concern at the United Nations Human Rights Council over Iran's deteriorating human rights record. In speeches yesterday and in documents filed with the Council, nations and human rights groups described the degree to which Iran has failed to live up to its obligations under international human rights law. more...

Read article: Universal Periodic Review of Iran's human rights record

Bahá'ís highlight processes of collective deliberation at UN Commission for Social Development

Ming H. Chong at UN Commission for Social Development

5 February (New York) – Ming H. Chong, a member of the Bahá'í community of Singapore and the Bahá'í International Community’s delegate to the UN Commission for Social Development, delivered an oral intervention on the processes of collective deliberation or consultation, which serve as the basis for collective decision-making in Bahá'í communities around the world (view video).  At its 48^th Session, the Commission is focusing on the priority theme of ‘social integration’ and the examination of policies aimed as achieving a ‘society for all.’ The full coverage of Bahá'í participation at the Commission will follow. Read full text of the Bahá'í International Community's statement to the Commission. Related Bahá'í World News Service Story: "Bahá'ís offer decision-making model at UN Commission"

Bahá'ís condemn lack of due process at trial in Iran

31 January (New York) – The Bahá'í International Community has issued a statement condemning the trial of 16 individuals in Iran yesterday as a “violation of all internationally accepted standards of legal due process.” The statement highlights the lack of proper legal representation for the defendants and the use of unreliable “confessions” in the trial. One of the 16 on trial is a Bahá'í. more...

Trial of seven Bahá'í leaders underway in Tehran

The seven Bahá'í leaders on trial.

12 January (New York) - The trial of seven imprisoned Bahá'í leaders began today in Iran. Initial reports indicate that the trial is marked by numerous violations of legal due process. "We understand that no observers were allowed in the court," said Diane Ala'i, the Bahá'í International Community's representative to the United Nations in Geneva. "We find this completely outrageous, given that these seven have been held purely because of their religious beliefs, in total contradiction to any human rights standards. more...

World reacts to the trial of the seven Bahá'í leaders  (13 January 2010)