§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will seek to raise in the United Nations Commission for Human Rights the persecution of Iran's 300,000 indigenous members of the Baha'i faith.
§ Mr. HurdThe United Nations Commission for Human Rights next meets in early 1982. We are opposed to all persecution on grounds of belief and will continue to uphold this principle during the autumn session of the United Nations General Assembly. We are at the moment322W considering with our partners among the Ten what we could usefully do to help the Baha'i community in Iran. There is a danger that a public Western intervention on behalf of the Baha'is in Iran could worsen the difficulties they face.