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Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Ceisteanna (30)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

30. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the treatment of Baha'i citizens and members of other religious minorities by the Iranian authorities; the assessment made of reports that members of the Baha'i minority in Iran are being prevented from obtaining identity cards; the steps he is taking in relation to the matter at an international level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18542/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

My question is very specific. I am seeking the Minister's view in regard to the treatment of Baha'i citizens and members of other religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. I particularly wish to know about the assessment made by the Minister or his Department of the reports that members of the Baha'i minority are being prevented from obtaining identity cards, and the steps taken in that regard at international level.

I am glad to have an opportunity to address this issue. The human rights situation in Iran remains a matter of serious concern and this particular issue forms an important part of our engagement and dialogue with Iran. Discriminatory practices in respect of access to employment, education and other basic services continue to affect Baha'i and other minority groups in Iran. Baha'i business owners face obstacles in starting and operating businesses. Baha'i students face challenges in gaining access to education, with consistent reports of applicants to universities being rejected on the basis of their faith.

The UN's special rapporteur on human rights in Iran has reported that members of minorities continue to be subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention for engaging in peaceful advocacy for their rights. Ireland continues to call strongly for an end to the persecution of members of the Baha'i faith in Iran.  Ireland has consistently raised the discriminatory treatment of the Baha'is in multilateral fora. Most recently, at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland raised concerns regarding the continued discrimination against members of ethnic and religious minorities, making specific reference to the Baha'i community. Furthermore, in February, officials from my Department met representatives of the Baha'i International Community. This provided an opportunity to get an update on the situation of the Baha'i people in Iran and Yemen, particularly in the context of the then upcoming Human Rights Council in March. Ireland also called on Iran to take all necessary steps to protect the rights of the Baha'i during the universal periodic review of that country's human rights record in November 2019.

Bilaterally, our concerns about human rights are conveyed to the Iranian Embassy on all appropriate occasions. As part of political consultations with Iran which took place in Tehran in February, senior officials from my Department again directly communicated our concerns regarding the human rights situation in Iran. Ireland, along with the EU, will continue to encourage progress in respect of religious minorities in Iran and to make clear our concerns to the Iranian authorities.

I thank the Minister for his reply. The reports of the UN special rapporteur on this issue are damning. The rapporteur has consistently raised concerns regarding the human rights situation of ethnic and religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran and specifically in regard to Baha'i citizens. The Baha'i people are considered to be the largest non-Muslim and unrecognised minority in Iran, numbering an estimated 350,000, and they have suffered the most egregious forms of oppression, persecution and victimisation. I make these comments as somebody who always says that we should turn the mirror on ourselves before we ever criticise another country.

I worded my question very specifically to ask what analysis has been done by the Minister or his Department in regard to the particular issue of identity cards, given that they are the gateway to access to many services. What specifically has he done in response to reports that members of the Baha'i community cannot access identity cards?

I will come back to the Deputy in writing in regard to the specifics of the identity card issue. We have taken our lead from the special rapporteur in terms of reporting. I outlined in my reply the various ways in which we raise our concerns at the reports we are reading and hearing with the Iranian authorities and in multilateral fora, including the Human Rights Council and elsewhere. We need to continue to do that. I know and have met members of the Baha'i community who raised this issue directly with me and my Department. We have an obligation to continue to raise the concerns that are legitimately expressed and backed up by independent reports such as those undertaken by the special rapporteur. I will come back to the Deputy on her specific question because I do not have a note on it.

I thank the Minister for his direct response. The reason I mention this specific issue is that there are very strong reports that Baha'is in Iran cannot get identity cards and it is then impossible for them to access Government services, obtain a credit card, driver's licence or passport or buy property. This is in addition to all the other discriminatory practices they face in regard to education, the non-recognition of their marriages, which is making things very difficult when it comes to the protection of women and so on. I note the indication by the UN special rapporteur in his 2019 report, which is welcome, that Iran "no longer executes Baha'is solely on the basis of their religion". However, he goes on to say, "The constant threat of raids, arrests and detention or imprisonment [remain] the main features of [the country's] persecution of Baha'is."

I reiterate my point that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. If there is evidence of what we are hearing - it seems to be backed up by the UN rapporteur - then we certainly need to take more specific action. We were able to do so in respect of alleged nuclear capacity. I do not know whether that capacity existed, but we availed of the threat and imposition of economic sanctions in that case. The same should be considered in this instance, where the issues speak strongly to the DNA memory of our own bodies in this country.

I accept the Deputy's point and agree that Ireland has a particular obligation in such matters. We constantly talk about human rights being at the centre of our foreign policy. We need to back that up and to have the uncomfortable conversations with embassies and ministers. We have already had some of those conversations in regard to the situation of the Baha'i and other ethnic minorities in Iran and we will continue to do so. It is important that we maintain a diplomatic relationship and dialogue with other countries, particularly countries that are in the international spotlight, as Iran regularly is. This is an issue we will continue to raise.

On the particular matter of identity cards, I will come back to the Deputy. I should have had an answer for her today because she included it in her question. I will make sure she gets one quickly.

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