TIME TO ACT FOR THE IMPRISONED BAHA'IS IS NOW - ÖPIK (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

TIME TO ACT FOR THE IMPRISONED BAHA'IS IS NOW - ÖPIK

July 8, 2009 4:15 PM

Lembit Öpik, Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire, today led a debate on Human Rights in Iran, focusing in particular on the persecution faced by Iran's Bahá'í community.

Iranian Bahá'ís have suffered ongoing harassment for many years but in the last couple of years there has been an upsurge in state backed persecution. Last year the seven members of the unofficial Bahá'í leadership in Iran, the Yaran, were arrested and imprisoned. They are now facing trial in the next few days, on charges that could potentially lead to their execution.

During the debate Lembit said:

"If a trial goes ahead-as I say, it is scheduled for 11 July, which is this Saturday-we ask Ministers to impress upon the Iranian authorities before then that it must be carried out in an open, transparent manner, according to international standards, with proper access to legal representation and with no effort to fix the outcome.

"In terms of wider action by the Government, we ask for collective action by British Ministers and our European and international partners for a longer-term easing of the persecution that is being endured by the Baha'is and others, including Christians, in Iran. In this context, I cite the plight of Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh, both held in Evin prison since March 2009, apparently for being Christians. We understand the considerable difficulties in dealing with the Iranian authorities and the limitations of international pressure."

In response, the Foreign Minister, Ivan Lewis MP, confirmed that the UK will demand maximum transparency in the way that the trial is conducted. He added that he will be keeping a close eye on the situation to see that the Yaran are treated appropriately and properly.

Afterwards, Lembit added

"I was moved by the level of support from across the political spectrum both for the Bahá'ís and also for other oppressed groups in Iran.

"The Minister said the right things, and afterwards he confirmed he'd been speaking directly with Bahá'í representatives - a very important development. I only hope the work we're doing will spare these 7 innocent individuals from the injustice they're currently facing.

Ends/diwedd

Notes:

For a copy of Lembit's speech please visit:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmtoday/cmwhall/01.htm