G. Rights of minorities
46. The Iranian Constitution explicitly declares Islam to be the State Religion but
contains two important provisions concerning religious minorities. Article 13 states
that Zoroastrian, Jewish and Christian Iranians are the only recognized religious
minorities who are free to perform their religious rites and ceremonies, within the
limits of the law, and to act according to their own canon in matters of personal
affairs and religious education. Article 14 also provides protection for non-Muslims,
provided they refrain from conspiracy or activity against Islam and the Islamic
Republic of Iran. The Baha'i community is not recognized as a religious minority,
but the authorities assert that Baha'is enjoy the rights accorded to all other Iranians.
47. OHCHR continues to receive reports of human rights abuses against minorities
in the Islamic Republic of Iran. While it is impossible to verify all the information
received, a pattern of concern arises with respect to the protection of minorities,
including the Baha'i community, the Arab minority in Khuzestan, the Nematollahi
Sufi Muslim community, the Kurdish community, the Sunni community, the Baluchi
community and the Azeri-Turk community
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