In a chilling display of religious repression, senior Bahá’í official Omid Seioshanseian was forcibly detained and disappeared by Egyptian state security agents at Cairo International Airport on Monday. Held for over 13 hours without communication, Mr. Seioshanseian was subjected to grave violations of his basic rights, including physical mistreatment, blindfolding, handcuffing, and coercive interrogation. His devices were confiscated, and under duress, he was filmed while being forced to deny any mistreatment by Egypt’s State Security Investigations Service (Al-Amn Al-Qawmi).
This alarming incident drew swift condemnation from the Bahá’í International Community, which raised the matter at the highest levels of advocacy worldwide. The mistreatment of Mr. Seioshanseian, a prominent figure in the Bahá’í community, highlights yet another attack in the ongoing persecution of Bahá’ís in Egypt, and raises significant concerns about the safety of Bahá’í adherents and religious minorities in the country.
The Egyptian government is now under intense scrutiny, as advocates and human rights organizations, including the Bahá’í International Community, draw attention to the country’s legal obligations under the United Nations Committee Against Torture. Egypt, which has ratified numerous international human rights treaties, is bound to criminalize, investigate, and prevent acts of torture and ensure equal safety and protection for religious minorities. The brutal treatment of Mr. Seioshanseian not only violates these obligations but reflects a troubling escalation in the state’s active repression of the Bahá’í faith and other minority communities.
The Broader Context of Bahá’í Persecution
The Bahá’í Faith, a religion founded in the 19th century in Iran, has long been persecuted globally, with its followers targeted for their beliefs in unity, equality, and peace. Bahá’ís have faced particularly severe repression in countries like Iran, where they face systemic discrimination, including denial of education, destruction of holy sites, and imprisonment.
In Egypt, Bahá’ís have endured decades of marginalization. They are not legally recognized and face legal hurdles for basic citizenship rights, including obtaining government-issued identification. This has fueled widespread societal discrimination and left many in precarious positions. Instances of workplace discrimination, hate speech, and state-sponsored harassment further exacerbate the Bahá’í community’s vulnerability.
Against this backdrop, the disappearance and mistreatment of Omid Seioshanseian have reignited widespread concern over Egypt’s treatment of minority groups and its broader compliance with international human rights frameworks. Advocacy groups are emphasizing not only the risks faced by the Bahá’í community but also the danger such practices present to the broader fabric of civil rights in the country.
Calls for Action and Accountability
The Bahá’í International Community has called on Egypt to immediately cease its mistreatment of Bahá’ís, ensure the safety of its religious minorities, and take concrete steps to prevent recurrence of such abuses. Specifically, the group is demanding:
- An immediate investigation into the detention of Mr. Seioshanseian and accountability for those responsible for his mistreatment.
- Recognition of the Bahá’í Faith as a legitimate religion under Egyptian law, honoring international commitments to religious freedom.
- Legislation guaranteeing the rights of minorities in Egypt, including the prevention of torture and coerced statements by state security forces.
Egypt continues to face criticism for its poor track record on human rights under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government, with numerous documented cases of arbitrary detention, torture, and other repressive tactics. Activists around the world are now urging the international community to pressure Egypt to uphold its human rights obligations.
A Global Fight for Bahá’í Rights
The persecution of Bahá’ís is not an isolated issue but part of a larger pattern of intolerance against religious minorities globally. Initiatives from organizations such as the Bahá’í International Community, Amnesty International, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief aim to ensure that governments are held accountable for their treatment of Bahá’ís and other religious minorities.
As the case of Omid Seioshanseian underscores, the fight for religious freedom and safety remains a vital challenge of our time. Egypt, like many nations, must decide whether it will honor its commitments to basic human dignity or continue down a path of repression that threatens freedoms for all.
The international community must watch closely, and action must follow. The outcome of this incident will not only shape the future for Egypt’s Bahá’ís but serve as a barometer for the global commitment to upholding fundamental human values.
