Written question asked by Bob Blackman (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 March 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 March 2017. It was answered by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Monday, 27 March 2017 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 reports he has received on Baha'i-owned shops being sealed by government authorities in the city of Alborz, Iran in November 2016 and remaining closed; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Government regularly raises human rights concerns with the Iranian government, including the continued persecution of religious minorities and the treatment of the Baha'i community. We are aware that the Iranian authorities shut down a number of Baha'i businesses in response to their closure to observe Baha'i holy days in November 2016. This forms part of a worrying trend of persecution of the Baha'i faith in Iran. We call on Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to allow freedom of religion to all Iranians.

Secondary information