PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Iran (27 October 2014)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the extent of persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Iran under the Rouhani administration; and what the implications of that assessment are for developing bilateral relations between the UK and Iran.

Asked by:
Sir Stephen Timms (Labour)

The UK welcomed President Rouhani’s comments in 2013 that all Iranians, including religious minorities, should “feel justice.” Unfortunately, there has been little noticeable change in the approach taken by Iran’s security and judicial authorities. The Iranian Constitution recognises only three religious faiths other than Islam: Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianiam. Christians nevertheless continue to face discrimination; Evangelical Christians, Iranian converts to Christianity and those involved in house churches have been particularly affected. Other minority religious groups have faced similar treatment, and the Baha’i faith – which is unrecognised in Iran - has been particularly discriminated against. The UK has repeatedly called on the Iranian government to end all persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith. We will continue to use our bilateral relationship to urge Iran to guarantee the human rights of all Iranians.

Answered by:
Mr Tobias Ellwood (Conservative)
30 October 2014