Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Monday, 24 March 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 March 2014 (named day). It was answered by Hugh Robertson (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 March 2014 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iran

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the arrest and interrogation of eight Christians in Iran on 5 March 2014 and the issuing of arrest warrants for Amin Khuki, Hossein Bamuzadah and Rahman Buhman; and what recent representations he has made to Iran on religious toleration.

Answer: We are concerned by the report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide about the arrest and interrogation of eight Christians on 5 March 2014; and by the treatment of religious minorities in Iran, in particular Christian groups and the Baha'i. We have expressed these concerns to the Iranian authorities, and call on them to release anyone detained on the grounds of religious belief, and to ensure that the fundamental rights of all Iranian citizens are fully respected.

Secondary information