The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has called on Iran to stop identifying Baha’i children in schools, and to stop intimidating and expelling them.

In a report released earlier this month, the Committee, composed of 18 independent experts, said it was generally concerned about discrimination against religious minorities in Iran, observing that many such children have been deprived of rights afforded under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Iran is a signatory.

The Committee said it was “particularly concerned about harassment, intimidation and imprisonment of persons of Bahai’ Faith, including their children, on the account of their religion.”

Among other things, the Committee called attention to Iran’s practice of imprisoning Baha’i children with their mothers, adding that some have “reportedly developed medical problems due to poor living conditions they are subjected to in prisons.”

It also expressed concern over the “identification, intimidation, and harassment of Baha’i children in schools and the lack of access for such children to higher education,” calling on Iran to send such practices.

Diane Ala’i, a representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva welcomed the Committee’s observations.

“Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, Baha’is have faced persecution, intimidation, and discrimination solely on account of their religious beliefs,” said Ms. Ala’i, “and Baha’i children are particularly affected by these policies.

“Baha’i children have been singled out and maliciously excluded, shunned, and intimidated in their schools because of their beliefs.

“They have been expelled when they correctly and honestly fill out mandatory declarations of religion on registration forms, or when they express their opinion and do not remain silent while teachers make false accusations about their religion in class.

“And young Baha’is continue to be barred from accessing higher education and those few who are accepted are expelled once it becomes apparent that they are Baha’is,” said Ms. Ala’i.

The Committee’s concluding observations can be read here. A report of the BIC to the Committee on the current situation in Iran can be read here.