Most people are aware of the true nature of the Iranian Government: Islamist, fundamentalist, authoritarian, and soon to acquire nuclear weapons. What is less well known, is the Regime's treatment of its religious minorities.
The suffering of religious groups like the Bahais, was brought home to me when I recently met a number of Iranian Bahais who live in Harlow. They came to Parliament to describe to me about the persecutrion of the Bahais. One Harlow resident, Mali Vojdani's niece had even been in an Iranian prison for three and a half years - simply because of her religion (she has only just been released). Other Bahais have been imprisoned, tortured and some murdered. There are still thousands of innocent people being persecuted by the Iranian regime, because of their faith. This includes Bahais, Jews, Christians, and many others."
For this reason, I tabled a Commons Motion, signed by twenty four MPs, in an effort to ensure that Parliamentarians and the Government are made aware of what is happening to the Bahai people:
EDM 1053 – submitted by Robert Halfon MP
That this House expresses grave alarm at the news of the trial and sentencing of the Bah’ leadership in Iran; notes that Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Naeimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Mr Behrouz Tavakkoli and Mr Vahid Tizfahm are members of the informal leadership known as the Friends that co-ordinate the activities of the Bah’ community in Iran; further notes that the defendants were each sentenced to 20 years in prison in a brief trial with limited access to legal counsel; urges the Government to seek from the Iranian government guarantees for the safety of these individuals;calls for their immediate unconditional release; registers deep concern at the mounting threats and persecution of the Iranian Bah’ community; joins in the condemnation of the persecution of the Bah’ faith; and supports freedom of religion as a basic human right under international law.
All the Bahais I have met - in Harlow and outside are peaceful, decent people, who deserve to practice their religion without fear of oppression. I intend to highlight the trial and sentencing of the Bahai leadership in Iran, and am urging the Government to seek guarantees from the Iran Government regarding their safety and he is calling for their immediate unconditional release. Freedom of religion is a basic human right under international law.
I will do all I can to support Harlow Bahais, and look forward to their new year celebrations at the end of March.
P.S. You can read more details HERE.
P.P.S. The picture shows me with the Harlow Bahais, at Parliament.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
