BAHÁ'Í FAITH IN IRAN

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.