Romanian personalities demand human rights for Iran's Baha'is

Three prominent Romanian personalities add their signatures to a petition calling upon the government of Iran to grant Baha'is their fundamental human rights. They are, from left to right, TV news presenter Andreea Berecleanu; musician Ovidiu Lipan Tandarica; and actress, Maia Morgenstern.

Sixty-eight celebrated figures – from the worlds of academia, arts, banking, business, media and medicine – have signed a petition, appealing to the Iranian authorities to cease its systematic campaign of persecution of the Baha'is, "who seek only their rights under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the right to life, the right to liberty and security of person, the right to education and work, and the right to practice their religion..."

The letter was instigated by Radu Gabrea, a renowned film director, along with Istvan Haller of Romania's National Council for Combating Discrimination.

Among the signatories are internationally-acclaimed actress Maia Morgenstern, best-known for her portrayal of Mary in The Passion of the Christ; television news presenter Andreea Berecleanu; well-known drummer Ovidiu Lipan Tândărică; and a former government minister, Ilie Serbănescu.

The petition highlights the case of the seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders, as well as Iran's "repeated attempts to hinder the progress of the Baha'i community's efforts to educate its young people," and a "litany of other abuses and violations of their fundamental rights."

"We do not understand...why the Iranian state sanctions the incitement of hatred against the Baha'is in Iran, why it allows fire bombings and torchings of their places of business, and other forms of terrorization, that seek to drive them out of their towns and cities..." the petition states.

"We do not understand why they are harassed when burying their dead, why Baha'i cemeteries are desecrated, why they are denied business licenses, why their businesses and properties are confiscated, and why the Baha'is are denied work and pensions."

Della Marcus of the Romanian Baha'i community said it is unprecedented for such a large number of prominent people to speak up for the cause of the Baha'is in Iran.

"We pray that this petition will contribute to making it clear to the Iranian government that there are many around the world that do not accept their state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'is," said Ms. Marcus.

Further information

The International Reaction page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran.

Source: Baha'i World News Service

Fii bun cu tine insuti

Calugarului budist Matthieu Ricard ii place sa relateze o anecdota despre Dalai Lama.
"In timpul unei conferinte despre cultura occidentala si cea orientala in orasul indian Dharamsala, un psiholog american a vorbit despre ura de sine a occidentalilor. La inceput, Dalai Lama a crezut ca nu a inteles bine si i-a cerut interpretului sa repete ceea ce ii tradusese. Apoi i-a cerut altcuiva sa-i explice ce poate sa insemne asa ceva, lui ii era imposibil sa perceapa cum o fiinta umana se poate uri pe sine."


Este important sa oprim fluxul gandurilor negative despre noi insine.
Trebuie, de asemenea, sa oprim fluxul gandurilor negative despre altii.
Doar prin eliberarea de acest obicei al criticii permanente putem sa ne eliberam si de vocile rele din mintea noastra.

Testul Filtrului Triplu - despre bârfă

O anecdota adevarata, din viata si filosofia lui Socrate, de eterna actualitate.

In Grecia Antica, Socrate era renumit pentru respectul cu care isi trata prietenii. Intr-o zi o cunostinta l-a intalnit pe marele filosof si l-a intrebat:
“Stii ce-am auzit despre prietenul tau?”

“Stai putin”, a replicat Socrate.”Inainte de a-mi spune ceva as dori sa facem un test. Se numeste testul Filtrului Triplu.”

“Filtrul Triplu?”

“Exact”, a continuat Socrate.”Inainte de a vorbi cu tine despre prietenul meu , ar fi o idee buna sa stam un pic si sa filtram ceea ce vei spune. Acesta este motivul pentru care il numesc testul Triplului Filtru. Primul filtru este Adevarul. Esti absolut sigur ca ceea ce vrei sa-mi spui este adevarat?”

“Nu”, spuse omul. “De fapt doar am auzit despre asta si……”

“In regula”, a spus Socrate.”Deci nu stii daca este adevarat sau nu. Acum hai sa incercam si al doilea filtru, filtrul Bunatatii.. Ceea ce vrei sa-mi spui despre prietenul meu este ceva bun?”

“Nu, din contra………”

“Deci,” A continuat Socrate, “Vrei sa-mi spui ceva rau despre el dar nu esti sigur ca este adevarat. Totusi poti sa treci testul, deoarece mai este un filtru: filtrul Utilitatii.Ceea ce vrei sa-mi spui despre prietenul meu imi va fi de folos?”

“Nu, nu chiar.”

“Bine”, a concluzionat Socrate, “Daca ceea ce vrei sa-mi spui nu este nici adevarat, nici bun, nici chiar folositor, de ce mai trebuie sa-mi spui ceva?”