Ms Alison Wortley:

We agree that a time of change is a time of opportunity. As the Senator outlined, public opinion on the ground in Iran has changed considerably. The majority of Iranians citizens are very supportive of the Baha'is and the difficulties come from the regime authorities. Many Iranian citizens are neighbours of Baha'is and see them as they are, namely, people who want to contribute to their country rather than destroy it, as the authorities would have it. Public opinion has become more positive so it is time to put on considerable pressure. The fact that the special rapporteur has not yet been allowed into Iran is another difficulty. If that were allowed to happen it would be another signal of change. We very much appreciate the role this committee and our Government along with the other European governments have played. Baha'i communities throughout the world have gone to their governments as committee members will have seen through the UN Human Rights Council resolutions which have been put forward although, as Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan said, they seemed to have little effect on Iran. I thank the committee members.