Written questions, answers and statements

Iran: Baha'i Faith

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Question for Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UIN 273318, tabled on 4 July 2019

Question

Dr David Drew
Labour
Stroud
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on the use of Tazir laws to facilitate punishment against members of the Baha’i community in Iran; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Dr Andrew Murrison
Conservative
South West Wiltshire
Commons

Answered on

9 July 2019

​We remain aware of the continued reports of harassment and mistreatment of members of the Baha'i faith in Iran, including the increase in arrests in 2018. The British Government supports the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran's assessment that discrimination against the Baha'i community in Iran is legally sanctioned by a lack of constitutional recognition and the absence of other legal protections for adherents of this faith. We regularly call upon Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to protect freedom of religion or belief.

Answered by

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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