Tag: News

MP shares concern for welfare of Bahá’is in Tehran jail

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Richard Benyon, MP for Newbury, has added his support and concern for the seven Bahá’is awaiting the second session of their trial in Tehran. West Berkshire’s Bahá’i community has already expressed its unease.

He said: “The continued detention of these Bahá’i leaders in Iran, as part of the ongoing persecution of the Bahá’i community in Iran, is extremely troubling. I share the concern of the West Berkshire Bahá’i Community for the welfare of these seven Bahá’is.

“Jail conditions are harsh and they are only allowed periodic visits from family members.  They were arrested in Spring 2008. Their continued detention throughout the trial must be extremely unsettling and upsetting.”

The trial is expected to continue on 7 February.

Lawyer Cherie Blair commended for her stance on ‘faith, life and death in Iran’

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Thames Valley’s Bahá’i community has commended lawyer Cherie Blair for her stance on ‘faith, life and death in Iran’ in an article in the Guardian newspaper, the same day the trial of seven Bahá’is started (the seven are currently being held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison).

Cherie stated that the Iranian government must be shamed into holding the trial of the Bahá’is in open court and added that pressure needs to be stepped up for the intimidation and harassment of other religious minorities to be stopped.

Shawn Khorassani, a Thames Valley based Bahá’i, said: “Every element of support from high profile sources is essential. So it is heartening to see someone like Cherie Blair add her voice to the plight of the seven Bahá’is in Iran, particularly in view of her legal standing.

“Cherie stated that the trial of the Bahá’i leaders should matter to all who care about human rights. In Iran, for the Bahá’i community among others, the fight for human rights has become a matter of life and death.”