Written questions, answers and statements

Iran: Baha'i Faith

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Question for Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UIN 275646, tabled on 10 July 2019

Question

Tom Brake
Liberal Democrat
Carshalton and Wallington
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on reports of the closure of a Baha’i-run elder care centre in Karaj, Iran.

Answer

Dr Andrew Murrison
Conservative
South West Wiltshire
Commons

Answered on

15 July 2019

We are aware of reports indicating that Baha'i owned businesses are being targeted for closure, including reports of the attempted closure of a care centre in Karaj, Iran. We remain concerned about the continued harassment and mistreatment that the Baha'i and other minority groups face.

We support the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran's assessment that discrimination against the Baha'is 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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