Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD2519
2006-07-15 17:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
UPDATE ON THE BAHAI: NO PROGESS YET ON IDENTITY
how-toVZCZCXRO9806 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #2519 1961740 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 151740Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5735 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHWSR/WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002519
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM PNAT KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE BAHAI: NO PROGESS YET ON IDENTITY
CARDS
REF: 06 BAGHDAD 01300
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARGARET M. SCOBEY, FOR REASONS 1.4
(B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002519
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM PNAT KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE BAHAI: NO PROGESS YET ON IDENTITY
CARDS
REF: 06 BAGHDAD 01300
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARGARET M. SCOBEY, FOR REASONS 1.4
(B) AND (D).
1. (C) On July 4, President of the Bahai National Spiritual
Advisory Group Abdul Razaq Abaychi complained to Poloff that
no progress had been made toward allowing Bahai to legally
register for the national identity card, or "jensiyya"
(reftel). Abaychi nonetheless expressed appreciation for the
role the Embassy played in arranging a meeting with then
Minister of Interior Bayan Jabr on May 3. During that
meeting, Abaychi said, Jabr was sympathetic to the Bahai's
plight and expressed willingness to follow up on the issue
and push for the ability of members of Iraq's Bahai community
to obtain jensiyyas.
2. (C) In a June 26 meeting, Director of Nationality and
Travel Yasseen al-Yassiri explained to Poloffs that prior to
leaving the Ministry, Bayan Jabr had in fact ordered
production of an action plan on re-instituting the Bahai
category on the jensiyya. Al-Yassiri explained that under
Saddam Hussein's regime, the Bahai identity was
systematically erased from all MoI documents in compliance
with law 105 of 1970 and regulation 358 of 1975 (ref).
Al-Yassiri told PolOff that the plight of the Bahai was a
serious one and that he was generally in favor of reinstating
the Bahai in all the documents ) and his report reflected
this recommendation.
3. (C) However, al-Yassiri continued, he was very hesitant to
release this report beyond his directorate because he was
fearful of the repercussions, pointing to the reaction the
Bahai have received in Egypt and other countries. PolOff
urged that he move forward with issuing Iraqi Bahai their
national identity cards, thus allowing them to register their
children in schools and receive passports if so desired.
Poloff noted that this would be consistent with the religious
freedom provision in Iraq's constitution.
4. (C) Comment: Post will continue to engage the MoI about
this issue and has recommended to Abaychi that he lobby the
new Minister of Interior as well.
SATTERFIELD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM PNAT KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE BAHAI: NO PROGESS YET ON IDENTITY
CARDS
REF: 06 BAGHDAD 01300
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARGARET M. SCOBEY, FOR REASONS 1.4
(B) AND (D).
1. (C) On July 4, President of the Bahai National Spiritual
Advisory Group Abdul Razaq Abaychi complained to Poloff that
no progress had been made toward allowing Bahai to legally
register for the national identity card, or "jensiyya"
(reftel). Abaychi nonetheless expressed appreciation for the
role the Embassy played in arranging a meeting with then
Minister of Interior Bayan Jabr on May 3. During that
meeting, Abaychi said, Jabr was sympathetic to the Bahai's
plight and expressed willingness to follow up on the issue
and push for the ability of members of Iraq's Bahai community
to obtain jensiyyas.
2. (C) In a June 26 meeting, Director of Nationality and
Travel Yasseen al-Yassiri explained to Poloffs that prior to
leaving the Ministry, Bayan Jabr had in fact ordered
production of an action plan on re-instituting the Bahai
category on the jensiyya. Al-Yassiri explained that under
Saddam Hussein's regime, the Bahai identity was
systematically erased from all MoI documents in compliance
with law 105 of 1970 and regulation 358 of 1975 (ref).
Al-Yassiri told PolOff that the plight of the Bahai was a
serious one and that he was generally in favor of reinstating
the Bahai in all the documents ) and his report reflected
this recommendation.
3. (C) However, al-Yassiri continued, he was very hesitant to
release this report beyond his directorate because he was
fearful of the repercussions, pointing to the reaction the
Bahai have received in Egypt and other countries. PolOff
urged that he move forward with issuing Iraqi Bahai their
national identity cards, thus allowing them to register their
children in schools and receive passports if so desired.
Poloff noted that this would be consistent with the religious
freedom provision in Iraq's constitution.
4. (C) Comment: Post will continue to engage the MoI about
this issue and has recommended to Abaychi that he lobby the
new Minister of Interior as well.
SATTERFIELD