A/HRC/25/26 7. Situation of ethnic and religious minorities 23. There have been no improvements in the situation of religious and ethnic minorities, which continue to suffer severe restrictions in the enjoyment of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Religious minorities such as Baha’is and Christians face violations entrenched in law and in practice. Harassment, home raids and incitement to hatred are reportedly commonly applied by the authorities to suppress the Baha’i community. The authorities claim that ethnic minorities enjoy equal rights before the law and that no discrimination is practised against religious minorities. The authorities also declared that the new Government paid significant attention to the affairs of religious minorities. In this respect, the Secretary-General notes as positive information that the President has appointed a special assistant to address the situation of ethnic and religious minorities. The United Nations human rights mechanisms have repeatedly expressed concerns about the discriminatory laws and policies that restrict religious minorities, including Baha’is, from forming religious institutions and accessing universities and publicsector employment. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran32 noted that members of the Baha’i community were increasingly subjected to arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, restrictions on religious practice, denial of higher education, obstacles to State employment and abuses within schools. He also reported that 109 members of the Baha’i community were being held in prisons as at May 2013.33 That number had reached 136 by December 2013, indicating an increase in their arrest and persecution. In its concluding observations, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights expressed concerns about widespread and entrenched discrimination against the Baha’i community, including denial of access to employment in the public sector and institutions of higher education, as well as to benefits of the pension system, and recommended a series of safeguards against legal and practical discrimination, including in their access to social programmes and education.34 The Secretary-General renews his call on the Government to release the seven Baha’i community leaders, who are serving 20-year sentences for managing the religious and administrative affairs of their community, after trials which did not meet the guarantees for fair trial established by international law. The Secretary-General also encourages the Government to remove limitations imposed on the ability of the Baha’is to worship and to allow them to practise their beliefs without hindrance and fear. 8. Refugees and migrants 24. The situation of Afghan refugees is of concern as was highlighted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran in his report to the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly.35 The Special Rapporteur noted that, as the Government does not recognize marriages between illegal migrants and Iranians, many children born out of such marriages do not possess a birth certificate and are deprived of educational opportunities and health care. In addition women married to illegal migrants cannot transfer their nationality or citizenship to their husbands or children. Afghan refugees are also subjected to movement restrictions and are banned from residing in various provinces. On 22 December 2013, the head of the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs was quoted as saying that Afghan children, who are not in possession 32 33 34 35 10 A/68/503. The seven Baha’i community leaders, who have been in prison since March 2008, received 20-year prison sentences in August 2010 on charges of espionage, propaganda against the system, collusion and collaboration for the purpose of endangering national security, and spreading corruption on earth. Their sentences were reportedly reduced to 10 years the following month. However, in March 2011, the court reinstated the original prison sentence of 20 years. E/C.12/IRN/CO/2. See footnote 32 above.