Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Feb 1992

Vol. 416 No. 4

Written Answers. - Protection of Baha'i Community, Iran.

Alan Shatter

Question:

39 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if representations have been made to the Iranian Government about the persecution of the Baha'i Community in Iran; if he will outline the initiatives, if any, this State intends taking at the United Nations to provide protection for the Baha'i Community, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

The Irish Government have made their views known to the Iranian authorities about the situation of the Baha'i community in Iran and, of course, have also been associated with the views expressed by the Twelve member states of the European Community.

Ireland co-sponsored the resolution on the "Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran", which was adopted by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on 7 March 1991. This resolution referred specifically among other issues to the findings of the UN's special representative on the situation of the Baha'is in Iran.

The current session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which will be meeting until 6 March, is considering the human rights situation in Iran in the light of a further report by the special representative, Mr. Galindo Pohl, which has just been published. In this report, Mr. Pohl records that he received information that Baha'is have been required to stop educating their children in Baha'i values, that Baha'is are generally denied passports and that Baha'is continue to be discriminated against in economic matters ranging from employment in the public sector to control over their private property.

Mr. Pohl has recommended that his mandate as special representative to report on human rights in Iran should be renewed for a further year.

Having considered Mr. Pohl's report Ireland has decided to co-sponsor the draft resolution at the Commission on Human Rights concerning the situation in Iran. This draft resolution provides for the renewal of his mandate.