EUROPEAN UNION Brussels,
6 September 2011 A 347/11
The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement yesterday:
The High Representative wishes to express her serious concern about the recent wave of arrests of Baha’i citizens, and the shutting down of an educational centre of the Baha’i community in Iran.
The European Union recalls that freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief are fundamental rights which must be guaranteed under all circumstances according to article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Iran has signed up to and ratified.
The European Union calls on Iran to immediately release all individuals detained on religious grounds, to put an end to the ongoing persecution of the Baha’i community, including in the field of education, and to refrain from all forms of discrimination against religious minorities, so as to guarantee the full respect for freedom of religion or belief in Iran.
PRESS
FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 – +32 2 299 97 80 – [email protected] Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 – +32 2 298 65 70 – [email protected] [email protected] www.eeas.europa.eu
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Source –
See PDF of the statement here: Statement by the Spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the persecution of the Baha’i community in Iran
Original PDF: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/124507.pdf
Site: http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/index_en.htm
September 7, 2011 10:24 pm
I applaud the High Representative for her clear, eloquent statement and hope that it inspires more individuals — from average citizens to those who occupy the highest ranks of authority — to speak out in support of Baha’is and other religious minorities being persecuted in Iran. This is a brutal travesty of justice being carried out in our midst, and the statement makes clear that this kind of persecution is occurring on a world stage.
September 13, 2011 1:14 pm
Yea i applaud the High Representative for her clear, to speak in support of Baha’is and other religious minorities being persecuted in Iran.