Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the level of protection of the civil and economic rights of the Bahá'í community in Iran; and what representations have been made to him on the violation of that community's human rights in that country.

The treatment of Baha’is remains of serious concern. We have repeatedly expressed our concern at the harassment faced by Baha’is in Iran, including the sentencing of seven Baha'i leaders to 20 years in prison. We continue to urge the Iranian Government to ensure that all Iranian citizens are able to practise their faith freely, as required by international conventions. I met with an Interfaith Delegation on freedom of religion or belief in Iran on 1 December, during which representations were made to him on the plight of the Baha'i community in Iran.