§ Mr. Nichollsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of Iran concerning the continued murder and persecution of members of the Baha'i faith in Iran; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceWe have made clear to the Iranian Government on many occasions our concern at the reports of the persecution of the Baha'is community in Iran. We co-sponsored the resolution on Iran at the 1984 session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which specifically referred to the Baha'is. In addition, representatives of the European Community in Tehran have made a series of demarches on behalf of the Ten 479W about human rights in Iran m general, and the situation of the Baha'is in particular. The most recent such demarche was made on 2 October 1984.
§ Mr. Maginnisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that representations made to Iran concerning the persecution of members of the Baha'i community in that country have evoked a positive response; what further action Her Majesty's Government intend to take; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceAs I made it clear to the House during the Adjournment debate on 21 December 1984, at column 749–52, we continue to take whatever action we judge to be most helpful to the Baha'i community in Iran, both in conjunction with our partners in the Ten or with other like-minded countries, and by taking a leading part in the United Nations. We naturally hope that our efforts are having a positive effect, though firm evidence is hard to obtain. The Baha'i community in Britain frequently express their appreciation of the Government's efforts.