Iran

HC Deb 07 March 2000 vol 345 cc619-21W

Mr. Lepper

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government have made to the Government of Iran about the repression, persecution and imprisonment of members of the Baha'i community in Iran. [112964]

Mr. Van

The statistics for non-settlement applications over the last five years in the countries requested are as follows:

Mr. Hain

We remain concerned at reports of the death sentences passed on three members of the Baha'i community, Mr. Najafabadi, Mr. Moghaddam and Mr. Khulusi in Mashad on 3 February. The picture has been somewhat confused by the recent statement by Mr. Sabeqi, spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary, that no such sentences had been passed. The Portuguese Presidency, on behalf of EU partners, presented a demarche to the Iranian authorities expressing our concern and seeking clarification as to the current status of these three gentlemen on 17 February. We took similar bilateral action with the Iranian Ambassador on 21 February.

We regularly raise with the Iranian authorities our serious concern about treatment of the Baha'is. Persecution of individuals on religious grounds is totally unacceptable.

Mr. Ian Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Iranian authorities following the death sentences imposed on three Iranian Baha'is on 3 February; what is the policy of the Government towards Iran's treatment of the Baha'i community; if the Government will support the resolution condemning Iran at the UN Commission on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement. [112771]

Mr. Hain

We remain concerned at reports of the death sentences passed on Mr. Najafabadi, Mr. Moghaddam and Mr. Khulusi in Mashad on 3 February. The picture has been somewhat confused by the recent statement by Mr. Sabeqi, spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary, that no such sentences had been passed. The Portuguese Presidency, on behalf of EU partners, presented a demarche to the Iranian authorities expressing our concern and seeking clarification as to the current status of these three gentlemen on 17 February. We took similar bilateral action with the Iranian Ambassador on 21 February.

We regularly raise with the Iranian authorities our serious concern about treatment of the Baha'is. Persecution of individuals on religious grounds is totally unacceptable. The EU Sponsored United Nations General Assembly resolution on Human Rights in Iran adopted on 18 December 1999 reaffirmed international concern about their situation. We and our EU partners will again be tabling the United Nations Commission on Human Rights resolution on Human Rights in Iran for the Commission in Geneva in April.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he received reports of the death sentences passed on three Iranian Bahai's; what representations he has made relating to this; and if he will make a statement. [113273]

Mr. Hain

We first learnt of death sentences being passed on three members of the Baha'i community, Mr. Najafabadi, Mr. Moghaddam and Mr. Khulusi in Mashad shortly after the sentences were announced on 3 February. The picture has been somewhat confused by the recent statement by Mr. Sadeqi, spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary, that no such sentences had been passed. The Portuguese Presidency, on behalf of EU partners, presented a demarche to the Iranian authorities expressing our concern and seeking clarification as to the current status of these three gentlemen on 17 February. We took similar bilateral action with the Iranian Ambassador on 21 February.

We regularly raise with the Iranian authorities our serious concern about treatment of the Baha'is. Persecution of individuals on religious grounds is totally unacceptable.

Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Iran about the treatment and planned execution of members of the Baha'i community. [112801]

Mr. Hain

We remain concerned at reports of the death sentences passed on Mr. Najafabadi, Mr. Moghaddam and Mr. Khulusi in Mashad on 3 February. The picture has been somewhat confused by the recent statement by Mr. Sadeqi, spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary, that no such sentences had been passed. The Portuguese Presidency, on behalf of EU partners, presented a demarche to the Iranian authorities expressing our concern and seeking clarification as to the current status of these three gentlemen on 17 February. This was followed up with a further demarche in Tehran on 19 February. We took similar bilateral action with the Iranian Ambassador on 21 February.