Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make known to the Iranian Government his deep concern for the worsening human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and particularly with reference to the Baha'i community whose leaders have been arrested in house raids and are being held in Tehran's Evin Prison. [20684/08]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a situation (details supplied); the action he will take to address the concerns outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21190/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 293 together.

The Government and our EU partners have expressed increasing concern at the serious and sustained erosion of human rights protections in Iran in recent years. We have been particularly concerned at the increase in the use of the death penalty, including executions of minors. Freedom of expression has been severely curtailed, and there has been an increase in the level of harassment of minority groups, including Iran's Baha'i community.

I am very concerned about the arrest of six members of the Baha'i faith in Tehran on 14 May. They are being detained and questioned by officials of the Ministry of Intelligence. On 21 May, the European Union called on Iran to release the six detainees. The EU stated clearly that Iran must act to uphold fully the right to adopt and practise a religion of choice and must end the persecution of the Baha'i community. I reiterate this position today, and repeat the Government's call for the release of the detainees.

Ireland participates actively in discussions within the EU on how best to advance our human rights concerns with Iran. In recent years, we have also co-sponsored a Resolution at the UN General Assembly on the human rights situation in Iran, along with Canada and others. We did so again last November. Regrettably, Iran has shown little interesting in engaging constructively on these issues. A formal Human Rights Dialogue between the EU and Iran is now effectively in abeyance. The last meeting was held during the Irish EU Presidency in 2004, and it seems clear that, for now, Iran is not willing to pursue the dialogue.

The Government and our EU partners will continue to use every opportunity to draw attention to, and where possible to uphold, the fundamental rights of the Iranian people. We will continue to raise our concerns about human rights abuses in our direct contacts with the Iranian authorities.