Additional Name(s): Sepehr Ziyaei, سپهر ضیائی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/24/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Sepehr Ziaee

Extra Bio Info:

Sepehr Ziaee is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On September 24, 2022, authorities in Tehran arrested Ziaee reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i.

In January 2023, it was reported that Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Ziaee to five years in prison for "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC).

In March 2023, it was reported that Ziaee's sentence had been upheld. 

Ziaee's health has reportedly deteriorated while in prison. His hearing capabilities have diminished following a medical issue with his ear. Reports indicate he was partially treated for the issue but that treatment ended prematurely. 

Publicly Available Information:
 

Additional Name(s): پیام ولی

Gender: Male

Current Location: Qezalhasar Prison, Karaj

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 6 Years' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 16 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/24/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition

Payam Vali

Extra Bio Info:

Payam Vali is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity. 

On September 24, 2022, authorities in Karaj arrested Vali reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i. Security officers reportedly beat him during the arrest as well as his son.

In December 2022, it was reported that authorities had accused Vali of "propaganda against the system through the propagation of the Baha'i faith, propaganda against the holy Islamic law, communication and cooperation with foreign media through interviews and sending news of human rights violations and inciting people to create ongoing protests through the virtual space." Accusations are reportedly in relation to Vali's communications about Baha'i persecution. Vali has also reportedly been denied phone calls to his family and access to a lawyer.

In February 2023, it was reported that the Alborz Revolutionary Court had sentenced to ten years in prison for “collaboration with hostile countries,” five years for “inciting people to commit violence,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” The court also reportedly imposed a two-year travel ban and two years of exile in Yasuj county.

On May 10, 2023, the Alborz Court of Appeals reduced Vali's sentence to six years for “collaboration with adversary countries,” three years and one month for “inciting people to commit violence,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Vali is expected to serve six years in prison as the sentences run concurrently.

In July 2023, it was reported that the Karaj Revolutionary Court had accused Vali of “spreading falsehood on the Internet through the dissemination of unlawful content.”

Publicly Available Information:

Sep 28, 2022

USCIRF Condemns Recent Attacks on Worshippers in Nigeria

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned a recent attack by armed bandits against worshippers at a mosque in Zamfara state, Nigeria that reportedly killed at least 15 people.

“This horrific attack on worshippers is just the latest demonstration of how insecurity in Nigeria erodes freedom of religion or belief,” said USCIRF Commissioner Frederick A. Davie. “All Nigerians have the right to gather for services and worship together without fear of attack.”

Earlier this month, armed assailants kidnapped dozens of worshippers attending services at another mosque in Zamfara state. In June, an attack attributed to the local Islamic State affiliate killed at least 50 people during a Pentecost Sunday mass at a Catholic Church in Ondo State. In July, armed criminals abducted two priests who were celebrating mass in a rectory in Kaduna state and shot one of them dead.

"Attacks against worshippers in Nigeria are all too common,” said USCIRF Commissioner Frank Wolf. “The U.S. government needs to implement a higher priority and stronger efforts to promote religious freedom in Nigeria and protect congregations from attack. The U.S. Department of State needs a Special Envoy to prioritize these issues and oversee a holistic approach for U.S. policy in Nigeria.”

In its 2022 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, and Boko Haram as an “entity of particular concern,” or EPC. Earlier today, USCIRF hosted a hearing on “Religious Freedom, Violence, and U.S. Policy in Nigeria.” USCIRF has also produced a recent analysis on Violence and Religious Freedom in Nigeria which includes policy response options for the U.S. government.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected].

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