Written question asked by Stephen Twigg (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 April 2011. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iran: Baha'i Faith

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Iranian Government on the sentences of Baha'i leaders imprisoned in 2010.

Answer: I remain deeply concerned about the plight of the seven Baha'i leaders still in custody in Iran. I strongly condemn the recent rushed re-trial of the leaders, and their re-sentencing to 20 years in prison. We remain clear that the leaders are being tried for no more than practising their faith. On 4 April 2011 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) released a statement calling on the Iranian judiciary to review the case and calling on Iran to cease the persecution of members of the Baha'i faith. We continue regularly to raise the case of the Baha'i leaders and discrimination against the Baha'is with the Iranian authorities, including twice with the Iranian Charge d'Affaires in February and March. It is important that we keep the international spotlight on Iran and highlight the frequent abuses as they occur.

Secondary information