Fri

24

Jul

2009

Local MPs respond to the plea of Bromley Bahá'í community

Iran · Human-Rights · Current-Affairs

Jacqui Lait Jacqui Lait MP, Beckenham

Following the unlawful persecution of Bahá'í leaders in Iran, members of the Bromley Bahá'í community wrote to their MPs to raise awareness and ask for support on a local level. Ms Bahiyyih Barnett, wrote to Mrs Jacqui Lait MP, Beckenham; Mr Clive King, contacted Mr John Horam MP, Biggin Hill; and Mr Anousha Vahdaty, approached Mr Robert Neil MP, Bromley & Chislehurst. "The Bromley Bahá'ís" states Clive King "are gravely concerned about the summary and unjust arrest on 14 May 2008 of six members of the group that informally coordinate the activities of the Bahá'ís in Iran".

Bahiyyih Barnett went to express, "Thursday, 14 May 2009, marks the first anniversary of this tragic and indiscriminate affair. Since that time, the six members, along with their colleague who had been detained two months earlier, have been held without charge in Tehran's Evin prison. They have had no access to their legal counsel, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Dr Shirin Ebadi, and have been allowed only occasional, supervised visits with their families."

Robert Neil Robert Neil MP, Bromley & Chislehurst

In a meeting held with John Horam, Clive King and Anousha Vahdaty, Mr Horam very kindly agreed to sign Early Day Motion 937 on the arrest and trial of Bahá'ís in Iran.

 

In a letter dated 18 July, Mr Neill replied, "Following a recommendation by the British Government, the EU issued a public declaration on 21st May 2008 which expressed "serious concern about the continuing systematic discrimination and harassment of the Iranian Baha'is on the grounds of their religion" and called for the release of the detained individuals. Our Foreign Affairs spokesman in the Lords, Lord Howell spoke on the subject very recently, observing that the "persecution of the Baha'i has been going on a long time, ever since the ayatollahs too over. There have been horrific reports, even several years ago, of public executions of young teenagers for being part of the Baha'i community." The team has also written to the Iranian Ambassador about the matter."

John Horam John Horam MP, Biggin Hill

Following a letter of 15 June from Jacqui Lait, who also was sympathetic towards the cause, continued to say "I will, of course, write to the Foreign Secretary to highlight your concern."

 

On 24 June, Ivan Lewis, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, said "I am replying as Minister responsible for our relations with Iran." He asserts his anxiety over the Bahá'í leaders in Iran by saying, "we have genuine concerns that the group will not receive a fair trial as guaranteed by international standards."

 

He carries on to say, "The EU, with strong UK support, has also made numerous representations on behalf of the Bahá'í community in Iran. Most recently, on 25 May, the EU called for the Iranian government to reconsider the charges brought against the seven leaders, urging the authorities to allow independent observation of the judicial proceedings. We also support action at the UN, and in December 2008 a resolution on Iran's human rights situation was adopted by the UN General Assembly for the sixth consecutive year." In conclusion "we remain committed to raising our concerns about the treatment of the Bahá'ís."

 

The Bromley Bahá'í community is truly grateful and humbled by the willingness of John Horam, Jacqui Lait, Ivan Lewis, and Robert Neill to champion our approach to make improvements in human rights and for a fair and just trial of the Bahá'í leaders in Iran.