Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Human Rights Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 666: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will summon the Iranian ambassador to his offices to discuss the trial of seven imprisoned Baha'is in Iran in view of the fact that there is concern for the safety of these people while they are in prison prior to and after the trial in view of the fact that there are strong suggestions that the outcome of the judicial process has been predetermined. [1163/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware from my previous replies on this matter, I am very conscious of the treatment of the Baha'i community in Iran and of the particular case of these seven Baha'i, who have been in detention since 2008. I have personally raised this case, and matters relating to human rights and religious freedom generally, directly with the Iranian authorities at the highest levels. In addition, my Department frequently conveys my concerns on such matters to the Iranian Ambassador here, most recently at a meeting with him last November. Officials of my Department also meet regularly with members of the Baha'i community in Ireland; such a meeting took place only last week.

After numerous deferrals, the trial of these seven Baha'i commenced in Teheran on 12 January. The EU High Representative issued a strong declaration on 12 January, which Ireland fully supported, expressing the EU's serious concerns about the trial and the motivation for the charges brought. The declaration also drew attention to Iran's obligations to guarantee freedom of religion under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory.

The EU has called for a just, fair and open trial, respecting international standards and requested independent observation of the proceedings. However, I understand that no independent observers were permitted to enter the court and that even the defendants' lawyers, to whom they have had very limited access during their detention, had some difficulty in obtaining entry. At this stage it is not clear what charges were laid against the defendants in court, when the next trial date will take place or what the future judicial process might entail. The situation may be further complicated by the recent detention of another 13 members of the Baha'i community, for alleged involvement in anti-government activity, following the Ashura protests on 27 December. These arrests have also raised serious concerns in the EU.

The issue of the trial of the Baha'i and the broader issue of human rights in Iran are likely to be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council later this month. Ireland will also support consideration of these matters at the forthcoming meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in March.

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