Welcome to the Bahá'í International Community United Nations Office

Harsh sentences are a judgment against an entire religious community

15 August (New York) - The harsh prison sentences handed down to seven Iranian Baha'i leaders who are absolutely innocent of any wrongdoing is a judgment against an entire religious community, the Baha'i International Community said today. more… 

An interview with members of GEAR's facilitation committee

2 August (New York) – Three members of the GEAR (Gender Equality Architecture Reform) Campaign’s Facilitation Group, Charlotte Bunch from the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, Bani Dugal from the Baha’i International Community, and Rachel Harris from the Women’s Environment and Development Organization discuss the process that culminated in the adoption of a Resolution calling for the creation of UN WOMEN--a consolidated entity to lead the UN's normative and operational efforts to advance the equality of women and men. Since 2006, the campaign has mobilized over 300 women’s, human rights and social justice organizations to advocate for the consolidation of the efforts, functions, mandates, and assets of the four existing UN gender agencies into one entity.  

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