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We read with interest the Correspondence from Masoud Mozafari (April 23, p 1721)1 expressing hope that lifting of sanctions in Iran will lead to an increase in collaboration with the international scientific community.
Iran is a nation with a youthful and educated population, and has great potential to contribute to scientific advancement but this capacity will not be realised as long as sections of its society are denied full access to education, an observation which is deeply troubling.
Women in Iran are barred from studying 77 disciplines2 deemed to be men-only subjects. Also, the state policy is to deny access to education for members of the Bahá’í religious minority, who are classed as so-called unprotected infidels.
A 1991 memorandum contains instruction that the Bahá’ís “…must be expelled from universities…once it becomes known that they are Bahá’ís…”.3 This policy continues to date, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran highlighted the issue in a 2013 report.4 Despite the involvement of the Bahá’í community in health and education, and the paramount importance of education to young Bahá’ís,5 their right to education is not currently respected in Iran. Inequality prevents innovative research. We hope that Iranian scientists will raise their voices, calling for women and minority groups to be granted equal opportunities to education, serving their nation, and contributing to the advancement of knowledge and learning.
We declare no competing interests.
*Peymane Adab, Nasim Mavaddat, Christopher Lee, Mansoor Foroughi, Richard J Lilford
