Written question asked by Andrew Dismore (Labour) on Monday, 24 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 February 2005. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Thursday, 3 February 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Iran regarding its demand that Baha'is cease communal activities; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran regarding its demand that Baha'is cease communal activities; and if he will make a statement. [211301] Mr. MacShane: We have serious concerns about the situation of the Baha'i community in Iran, which we have raised with the Iranian authorities on many occasions, most recently on 24 November 2004. In December 2004, the UK and other EU countries co- sponsored a resolution on human rights in Iran at the United Nations General Assembly which expressed serious concern at, among other subjects, "the increased discrimination against the Baha'is, including . . . the denial of free worship or of publicly carrying out communal affairs . . . and the suspension of social, educational and community-related activities".

Secondary information