and have knowledge of Islam, follow the theory of Velayat-e-faqih (rule of an Islamic jurist under Shi’ite Islam) and are loyal to the Islamic Republic of Iran.”20 Not only is gozinesh in contradiction of Article 23 of the Constitution, it also bars minorities or anyone who are unable or unwilling to accept these requirements from seeking employment in the public sector.21 Members of religious and ethnic minorities have reportedly been the target of denial of employment in the Islamic Republic of Iran.22 23 For example, members of the Yarsan community reported the denial of public sector jobs through the application of gozinesh requirements. 24 25 Reports have shown that religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran face human rights violations such as arbitrary deprivation of life and extrajudicial executions, a disproportionate number of executions on national security-related charges; arbitrary arrests and detention in connection with range of peaceful activities, incitement to hatred, forced closure of businesses and discriminatory practices and denial of employment and restrictions on access to education and other basic services.26 A new rule proclaimed in January 2020, will only allow citizens to register as one of the country’s recognized religions to the state-issued National Identity Card— which is required for almost all government and other transactions. 27 Iranian discriminatory practices’ also single out unrecognized religious minorities, notably members of the Baha’i faith. Although the government affirmed that “all Baha’is can freely perform their personal rituals”28 the Baha’i faith is considered as a “misguided sect” in Iran and Baha’i worship and religious practices are deemed heresy.29 In 1991, the Government institutionalized a policy against Baha’í citizens in a memorandum entitled ‘The Baha’í Question’, produced by Iran’s Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council and approved by the Supreme Leader. The document outlines a series of measures aiming at restricting Iranian Baha’ís access to education, economic and cultural life. Although the Government affirmed that 20 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 18 July 2019, https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N19/222/62/PDF/N1922262.pdf?OpenElement 21 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 18 July 2019, https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N19/222/62/PDF/N1922262.pdf?OpenElement 22 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 18 July 2019, https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N19/222/62/PDF/N1922262.pdf?OpenElement 23 Baha’i International Community, Submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Iran, 2019, https://undocs.org/A/HRC/WG.6/34/IRN/3 24 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 18 July 2019, https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N19/222/62/PDF/N1922262.pdf?OpenElement 25 www.iranhumanrights.org/2017/05/most-yarsani-religious-minority-candidates-disqualified- from-irans-2017-councilselections/ 26 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 18 July 2019, https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N19/222/62/PDF/N1922262.pdf?OpenElement 27 Center for Human Rights in Iran, https://www.iranhumanrights.org/2020/01/bahais-unrecognized-minorities-in-iran-must-nowhide-religion-to-obtain-government-id/ 28 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 18 July 2019 https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N19/222/62/PDF/N1922262.pdf?OpenElement 29 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 18 July 2019 https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N19/222/62/PDF/N1922262.pdf?OpenElement 4