Welcome to the Bahá'í International Community United Nations Office

Media portrayal of women is focus of panel

Ms. Sarah Kasule

8 March 2010 - The Bahá'í International Community and the UK Women’s National Commission (WNC) co-hosted an interactive panel to discuss the portrayal of girls and women in the media. Panelists included Professor Michael Karlberg; Associate Professor of Communication at Western Washington University; Ms. Sarah Kasule, Provincial Worker for Mothers’ Union in Uganda; and Jan Floyd Douglass, a WNC Commissioner. (View interview with Professor Karlberg.) more…

Nations rally to defend human rights in Iran

The Palace of Nations - Geneva

15 February 2010 — 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...

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

5 February 2010 – 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 2010 – 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 2010 - 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)

UN gives final approval to resolution criticizing Iran for human rights violations

18 December 2009 - The United Nations General Assembly gave its final stamp of approval today to a strongly worded resolution condemning Iran for a long list of human rights violations.  more...

UN resolution on Iran sends powerful message on human rights

20 November 2009 – United Nations, New York. The approval of a strongly worded resolution on human rights in Iran sends a powerful signal to the Iranian government that the world is gravely concerned about how Iran treats its citizens, said the Baha'i International Community. The resolution, approved by a vote of 74 to 48 by the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, expressed "deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran."  more…

Resolution text: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese

World’s Major Religions Present Action Plans on Environment

Bahá'í delegates Arthur Lyon Dahl and Tahirih Naylor receive certificates at the Windsor Castle gathering. They are pictured with Prince Philip, founder of ARC; Martin Palmer of ARC; and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

4 November 2009 – WINDSOR, United Kingdom. Leaders representing the world's major religions, including the Baha'i Faith, gathered at historic Windsor Castle to formally launch a series of action plans involving their communities in a long-term effort to protect the environment. They were joined by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and HRH The Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in a celebratory meeting that emphasized the role religion can play to inspire grassroots change and make "peace with the planet." more…

Related story: Bahá'ís join global plan for "generational change" on climate change

BIC active at the 12^th Session of Human Rights Council; Statement on human rights in Iran

Diane Ala'i addresses the Human Rights Council (YouTube)

2 October 2009 - BIC representatives took part in the 12^th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October). Representatives were active at many meetings, consultations and events, in particular those regarding the rights to freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and the rights of women. BIC made a statement /video on the situation of human rights in Iran in the context of the general debate on Human Rights situations. more...

BIC launches appeal on the moral and ethical dimensions of climate change; Chair of IPCC opens event

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri

23 September 2009 - Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Nobel prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change spoke at the launch of an Appeal to the world’s leaders on the moral and ethical dimensions of climate change, which took place at the BIC Office in New York.  The Appeal, which has been endorsed by 23 non-governmental organizations, calls for consideration of the moral and ethical questions at the root of the climate crisis.

Dr. Pachauri's talk can be seen here.

Dr. Lopez Claros, international economist, examines financial crisis and implications for global governance

Dr. Augusto Lopez-Claros

16 September 2009 - Dr. Augusto Lopez-Claros, an international economist and a member of the Baha’i community, gave a lunch-time presentation examining the global financial crisis and its implications for global governance. He addressed weaknesses in the financial sector, new challenges arising from the crisis, current mechanisms for international cooperation and future prospects for global governance. more...

Dr. Lopez-Claros's talk can be seen here.