HC Deb 22 July 1999 vol 335 c604W
Mr. David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the human rights situation of the BahÁ'i Community in Iran; what recent discussions he has held with the Iranian regime on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [92186]

Mr. Hoon

Iran is aware of our serious concern about the BahÁ'is. Persecution of individuals on religious grounds is totally unacceptable. The EU-sponsored United Nations Commission on Human Rights resolution on Iran adopted on 23 April reaffirmed international concern about their situation. We regularly raise with the Iranian authorities our concerns about the BahÁ'i community. I personally did so with the Iranian Ambassador on 24 May.