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Iran: Baha'i Sect

Answer

We continue to have concerns about the situation of religious minorities in Iran and treatment of the Baha’i community in particular. We often receive reports of discrimination against Baha’is in Iran from the National Assembly of the Baha’is of the United Kingdom.Denial of access to higher education has been a long-term problem for Baha’i students, effectively banned from entry to universities because of their religion. Although 178 Baha’i students were admitted to various campuses after the removal of religious identification from the entrance exam papers last autumn, recent reports suggest that at least 70 were subsequently expelled as universities became aware of their religion. We have also received some reports about persecution of Baha’i school children, and are currently trying to find out more information about these serious claims. We will take further action as appropriate.We continue to raise this issue bilaterally and through the EU, and have pressed the Iranian authorities on many occasions to take seriously their international human rights obligations, uphold the right to freedom of religion and belief as described in article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and address the intimidation and discrimination suffered by Iranian Baha’is. We also take action at the UN and in December 2006 we, along with all EU countries, co-sponsored a resolution on human rights in Iran, which expressed serious concern at"““the escalation and increased frequency of discrimination and other human rights violations against members of the Baha’i Faith?."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

133032; 459 c912-3W

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Baha'i faith Iran

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk