Country: Iran

Ethnic Group: Sabean Mandean

Date Finalized: 04/22/2021

Team: Alicia Hernandez (lead) and Vianney Mancilla

There is ample evidence that Sabean-Mandaeans faced forced displacement in Iran, and we rate data quality a 3.

The Islamic Republic’s constitution does recognize Sabians as a group (Minority Rights Group, n.d., Research Directorate 1995, Nashi 1997). The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) explains that they are at the mercy of religious and political authorities as a result (Nashi 1997). From the 13th to 19th century, the Sabians were victims of several massacres, and today, the Sabians face religious persecution, discrimination, and ethnocide. Sabian customs and practices and Mandean religious teachings have been banned and Sabian children are forced to take part in Islamic teaching (Nashi 1997, Research Directorate 1995). Also, Sabian women and girls are forced into marriages with Muslim men (Nashi 1997). Mandaeans have also been denied medical treatment because they are considered ‘unclean’ by their Muslim counterparts and they are highly pressured to convert to Islam (Nashi 1997). All of these actions have led to Sabean-Mandeans leaving Iran.

Sources

  1. Minority Rights Group (n.d.) Sabians.  Retrieved 5/8/2021 from https://minorityrights.org/minorities/sabian-mandaeans/
  2. Research Directorate (1995). Iran: Information on human rights violations of Iranians belonging to “Mandaean” faith, such as discrimination at institutions of learning and in employment, physical assaults, disappearances, deaths, detentions, lack of legal protection. Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada. Retrieved 5/8/2021 from https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aba90.html
  3. Nashi, Suhaib (1997). Threats to Iraq’s Communities of Antiquity: Testimony. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/releases-statements/threats-iraqs-communities-antiquity-testimony-dr-suhaib-nashi