Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received on the rate at which the Iranian Government has forced Baha'i shops and businesses to be sealed; and if he will make a statement.

​We are aware of reports that over 100 Baha'i owned shops and businesses were forced to close for observing Baha'i holy days and, in particular, for observing the bicentenary of the birth of Baha'u'llah earlier this year. Reports estimate that there have been over 1,170 incidents of economic suppression against Iranian Baha'is since 2005. The British Government calls on Iran to respect the rights and freedoms of all its citizens no matter what their religion or belief.