House of Commons · Westminster Hall
11 October 2022 · 7 other contributors · 3,661 words
Opened by Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Responding minister: Gillian Keegan
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Alistair Carmichael raised concerns about baha’i community in iran in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The Government should continue to condemn Iran's actions towards the Baha'i community and support international efforts to hold Iran accountable for human rights abuses.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Persecution of the Baha'i community in Iran has increased sharply, with over 125 separate incidents reported in August alone. The Iranian regime's actions include arbitrary arrests, property confiscation, educational exclusion, and economic oppression. A memorandum from 1991 directs government to block progress for Baha'is, illustrating systematic persecution.
Holly Lynch expresses concern over the crackdown and human rights abuses in Iran, particularly impacting Baha'is in Halifax. She mentions heartbreaking cases of arrest and detention of parents with young children, highlighting the impact on families.
I commend the right hon. Gentleman for securing the debate and on the hard work he does for the Baha'i community, sharing his concern for their treatment in Iran. Jim Shannon believes that more should be done to stop arbitrary arrests of Baha'is on spurious allegations.
Margaret Ferrier highlights that people of the Baha'i faith are banned from accessing higher education in Iran, which is a means of state repression. She agrees with the right hon. Gentleman that denying access to education isolates and disempowers Baha'i youth.
Rachael Maskell, who recently spoke with members of York's Baha'i community, comments on their inability to work in Iran due to suppression and suspicion despite serving altruistically. She asks the right hon. Gentleman for his thoughts.
Welcomed the debate and expressed concern over the persecution of the Baha'i community in Iran, highlighting the need to protect religious minorities.
Ruth Jones, an officer of the APPG on the Baha'i faith, urges the House to continue holding Iran accountable for violations against its citizens in the Baha'i community. She calls for the Government to speak up now.
Expressed support for the Baha'i community and condemned the Iranian regime's actions. Mentioned incidents of property confiscation and arrests in Iran.
Government Response
Gillian KeeganThe UK Government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all and promoting respect between different communities. They engage with Governments at ministerial and official levels, raising concerns publicly and privately about the persecution of religious minorities in Iran, including the Baha'i community. Steps taken include issuing statements condemning detention, co-sponsoring UN resolutions, urging investigations into human rights violations, summoning senior diplomats, and imposing new sanctions on entities responsible for repression.