Additional Name(s): کامیار حبیبی
Gender: Male
Current Location: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/5/2023
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Education Rights Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Instruction & Teaching Singing, Playing, & Producing Religious Songs & Music
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Kamyar Habibi is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On September 10, 2022, authorities in Karaj arrested Habibi reportedly for his being Baha'i.
On December 13, 2022, Habibi was released from prison. Habibi was accused of authoring a music book to promote Baha'ism, teaching music to promote Baha'ism, and jeopardizing national security.
In February 2023, it was reported that the Karaj Revolutionary Court had sentenced Habibi to five years in prison for “insulting and propaganda against Islamic Sharia, forming and participating in groups to act against national security through teaching and preaching the Baha’i faith to children in Kindergartens, promoting against Islamic Sharia through holding coaching courses." The conviction appears to stem from his religious educational activities to children.
In June 2023, it was reported that Branch 12 of Alborz Provincial Court of Appeal had upheld Habibi's sentence.
On August 5, 2023, Habibi was reportedly taken to Central Prison in Karaj to begin serving his sentence.
Habibi reportedly suffers from medical issues.
Related Cases: Saman Ostovar, Sabin Yazdani, Mahsa Tirgar Bahnemiri, Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Elham Shareghi Arani, Nakisa Sadeghi, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Shahrzad Mastouri, Negin Rezaie
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Nine Baha’i Citizens Begin Serving Prison Sentences in Karaj" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"13 Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to Over 40 Years in Prison Combined" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Eleven Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to a Total of 36 Years in Prison" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
HRANA English, Tweet, December 13, 2022
"کامیار حبیبی، عفیف نعیمی و سامان استوار، شهروندان بهائی آزاد شدند" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"علیرغم مشکلات پزشکی؛ تداوم بازداشت کامیار حبیبی، شهروند بهائی در زندان قزلحصار کرج" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"کامیار حبیبی، شهروند بهائی در کرج بازداشت شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"کامیار حبیبی، معلم موسیقی بهایی بازداشت و به مکان نامعلومی منتقل شد" Iran Wire
"Baha’i Citizen Kamyar Habibi Arrested" Iran Press Watch
Additional Name(s): Abbot Abraham, Abraham Habtom Gebremariam
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Eritrea
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: October//2022
Date of Release: November/23/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Abraham was detained in relation to his religious leadership role and religious expression.
In October 2022, authorities arrested, Abraham, a Capuchin abbot. Abraham was reportedly targeted for highlighting human rights violations during homilies.
On November 23, 2022, Abraham was reportedly released.
Related Cases: Fikremariam Hagos Tsalim, Mihretab Stefanos
"Three Catholic clergymen released from arbitrary detention" Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
"Source confirms arrest of Catholic bishop, two priests in Eritrea" Catholic News Agency (CNA)
"Eritrean authorities detain Catholic bishop, but won’t say why" Catholic News Service
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Eritrea
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: October/11/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Mihretab Stefanos was detained in relation to his religious leadership role and religious expression.
On October 11, 2022, authorities arrested, Stefanos, the priest of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in the diocese of Segheneity. Stefanos was reportedly targeted for highlighting human rights violations during homilies.
On December 29, 2022, it was reported that Stefanos had been released.
Related Cases: Fikremariam Hagos Tsalim, Abraham
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom Conditions in Eritrea August 2023
"Catholic bishop, priest released after two months in Eritrea prison" Catholic News Agency (CNA)
"Source confirms arrest of Catholic bishop, two priests in Eritrea" Catholic News Agency (CNA)
"Eritrean authorities detain Catholic bishop, but won’t say why" Catholic News Service