As the Five Years Too Many campaign continues, support for the Yarán—the seven wrongfully imprisoned Bahá’í leaders in Iran—continues to pour in from around the world. One of the most impressive things I’ve found so far is the unofficial Five Years Too Many tumblr, which has been gathering photos of men and women of all ages and races, from many different nations, holding up their hands in solidarity with the Yarán. It’s been quite touching to see the groundswell of support in such a visual way!
Beyond a simple grassroots campaign, however, the Five Years Too Many campaign has continued to gather prominent voices at official events the world over. Here’s some of the latest news since my last post on the subject:
- Chile:
In Chile, an hour of silence for the seven
- United Kingdom:
UK religious leaders call for release of imprisoned Baha’is
- Canada:
Canada renews its call for release of the seven
- India:
Prominent Indians – and 500 youth – appeal for release of the seven
- Latvia:
In Latvia, music and prayers to commemorate a sad anniversary
- France:
Creating a video appeal in Paris
- Slovenia:
In Slovenia, religious affairs expert supports freedom for Iranian Baha’is
- Uganda:
Religious leaders in Uganda decry Iran’s persecution of Baha’is
- Hawaii:
On the beach in Hawaii
- Netherlands:
Top Dutch officials speak out on situation of the seven
- Luxembourg:
In Luxembourg, Baha’i show support for the seven
- Austria:
Prominent Austrians express concern over imprisoned Baha’i leaders
- Ghana:
A “Travesty of Justice”
- Ireland:
In Ireland, a Holocaust survivor speaks out for the seven
- South Africa:
Wide-ranging support in South Africa