Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran A/HRC/43/61 para 68(h) Full recommendation: The Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government, the judiciary and the parliament: Protect the rights of all persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities, address all forms of discrimination against them and release all those imprisoned for having exercised their right to freedom of religion or belief. Assessment using Impact Iran human rights indicators1 Article 14 of the Constitution stipulates that the government and Muslims in Iran are “dutybound to treat non-Muslims in conformity with ethical norms and the principles of Islamic justice and equity, and to respect their citizen rights”. 2 Additionally, Article 19 of the Constitution omits an explicit provision recognizing religion or belief as a protected characteristic against discrimination.3 Article 23 of the Constitution stipulates that “the investigation of individuals’ beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief.” 4 These protections, however, only apply to those “who refrain from engaging in conspiracy or activity against Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran”.5 The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran names the Twelver Ja’fari School of Shia Islam as the state religion. Only Muslim minorities (including Sunnis), Zorostrian, Jewish and Christian Iranians are recognized under the Constitution.6 Because there are no laws safeguarding the right of religious minorities to worship, maintain places of worship or assemble, the structural exclusion of other religious minorities leaves them without legal protection to manifest and practice their religion or belief. Further, regulations may actively discriminate against members belonging to unrecognized religious minorities. For instance, a new rule 1 CCPR.18.1.S.1; CCPR.18.2.S.1; CCPR.18.3.S.1; CCPR.18.4.S.1; CCPR.27.1.S.1; CCPR.27.2.S.1; ESCR.2.2.S.1 CCPR.18.1.P.1; CCPR.18.1.P.2; CCPR.18.2.P.1; CCPR.18.3.P.1; CCPR.18.4.P.1; CCPR.27.1.P.1; CCPR.27.1.P.2; CCPR.27.2.P.1; CCPR.27.2.P.2; ESCR.2.2.P.2; CCPR.18.1.O.4; CCPR.18.1.O.5; CCPR.18.1.O.6; CCPR.18.2.O.1; CCPR.18.2.O.2; CCPR.18.3.O.1; CCPR.18.4.O.1; CCPR.18.4.O.2; CCPR.27.1.O.2; CCPR.27.2.O.2; ESCR.2.2.O.1 2 The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf 3 The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf 4 The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf 5 Article 14, The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf 6 Articles 12 and 13 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf 1

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