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Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Questions (26)

Michael McGrath

Question:

26. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the treatment by Iran of Bahá'í citizens and members of other minorities; the steps he is taking on the issue at a diplomatic level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4469/20]

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Written answers

The human rights situation in Iran remains a matter of serious concern. This includes freedom of expression and assembly, arbitrary arrest, and torture in detention. There are concerns in particular about the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities, political activists, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, labour rights activists, artists and environmentalists. Human rights issues therefore continue to constitute an important part of our engagement and dialogue with Iran.

Discriminatory practices with respect to employment, education and access to other basic services, continue to affect Bahá’í and other minority groups in Iran. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran has reported on the fact that members of minorities continue to be subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention for engaging in peaceful advocacy for their rights in Iran. Changes to the form for acquiring a national ID card in Iran this year, which have now made it impossible for followers of the Baha'i faith to obtain a new national identification card unless they renounce their religion, is deeply worrying.

Ireland continues to call strongly for the end to the persecution of members of the Bahá’í faith in Iran, including through bilateral contacts, with our EU partners and at the UN. Ireland has consistently raised the discriminatory treatment of the Bahá’ís in Iran. Most recently, at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland raised concerns regarding the continued discrimination against members of ethnic and religious minorities, in particular those that are not recognised under the Constitution in Iran. Ireland called on Iran to ensure full respect for its international human rights obligations and take all necessary steps to protect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, and made particular reference to the Bahá’í community.

Bilaterally, our concerns are conveyed to the Iranian Embassy on all appropriate occasions. Moreover, in February, during political consultations in Tehran, senior officials from my Department again directly communicated our concerns regarding the human rights situation in Iran. My Department also maintains regular contact with the Irish Bahá’í community.

Ireland, along with the EU, will continue to encourage progress in relation to religious minorities in Iran and to make clear our concerns to the Iranian authorities at every appropriate opportunity.

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