Sadeq Larijani, Head of the Judicial System of Iran: We don’t have conflicts with Baha’is merely because someone is a Baha’i

[digarban]

20 Farvardin, 1393 – April 9, 2014

Sadeq Larijani*, Head of the Judicial System of Iran:

We don’t have conflicts with Baha’is merely because someone is a Baha’i

Sadeghi Larijani, Head of the Judicial System of Iran, stated that in Iran “under no circumstances” is there any execution of individuals under the age of 18. He also said that the Islamic Republic of Iran would not take action against anyone merely for being a Baha’i; he mentioned that the West is intent upon spreading sexual promiscuity in Iran.

According to various news media outlets, Mr. Larijani expressed these words on Wednesday the 9th of April at a meeting of the leaders  of the Supreme Judicial System. He said that in Iran there are no religious, ethnic or gender restrictions, nor is there are any objection to the presence of Sunni Musims in the country. Larijani called the Baha’i faith a “religion fabricated by Westerners to create disruptions in Islamic Countries”, and said that even keeping this in mind, in the Islamic Republic “there are no objections to Baha’is merely because someone is a Baha’i”.

Regarding the actions taken against Baha’is, he said “these were taken against those who were spying for foreigners or who acted against national security.”** He made these claims at a time where there have been various reports regarding actions against followers of the Baha’i religion, even in remote villages.

In another section of his talk he said that in Iran “under no circumstances  is there any execution of individuals under the age of 18, and this claim from the European Parliament is a complete lie.”*** The Head of the Judicial System, in reaction to the draft resolution of the European Parliament about Iran said: “they are publicizing sexual promiscuity and even imposing homosexual promiscuity; these are issues that do not match the blueprint of Islam, nor of humanity’s best way of living”.

Larijani went on to urge “diplomatic leaders within the country and especially in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give strong replies” to the items in this resolution. He also warned European countries that they “will not gain permission to open offices in Iran with such approaches and resolutions.” In response to the world community’s requests to respect the rights of minorities in the country, the authorities in the Islamic Republic continue to deny that there are any violations of human rights in the country, and call their critics violators of human rights.

* A short biography of Sadeq Larijani can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadeq_Larijani

** For an analysis of claims made against the Baha’i religion by Iranian clerics, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_accusations_against_the_Baha%27i_Faith

*** For a fuller treatment of this subject, read at http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2014/04/eup-resolution/

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Translation by Iran Press Watch

Source: http://digarban.com/node/17626