Written question asked by Louise Ellman (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 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: (2) pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2011, Official Report, columns 225-26W, on Iran: trials, what recent representations he has made to the government of Iran on the trial of Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Maimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Mr Behrouz Tavkkoli and Mr Vahid Tizfahm.

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 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. 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 chargé 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

Type: Written question
Reference: 52191; 527 c393-4W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Iran: Trials
Monday, 10 January 2011
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Baha'i faith Iran
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk