I am especially concerned by the ongoing persecution of Iran's religious minorities, including widespread denial of the freedom to worship and an ongoing crackdown on the Christian house-church movement. The call by the Supreme Leader in October 2011 to prevent the spread of Christianity in Iran exposed the disturbing and dangerous view of Iran's leadership towards Christianity and wider freedom of religion. We are watching closely developments in the case of Pastor Nadarkhani, sentenced to death for apostasy, and maintain that he has no case to answer.The British Government have put considerable effort into trying to address the dire human rights situation in Iran. In 2011 the UK played a leading role in introducing EU human rights sanctions and establishing a UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and human rights. Prior to the storming of the British embassy on 29 November, the UK frequently raised concerns about religious persecution with the Iranian authorities. We will continue to press publicly and in international forums for the Iranian Government to meet their international human rights obligations.