I would like to express my great concern at the recent decision by the Iranian authorities to issue new identity cards only to citizens of the Muslim, Jewish, Christian or Zoroastrian faiths. This decision to force members of non-recognized religious minorities to choose a religion other than their own is a violation of the Baha'i's freedom of religion and belief and comes on top of other repressive legal and administrative measures taken against this community.
According to reports, thirty Baha'is were arrested yesterday in the city of Shiraz. In this context, I reiterate Luxembourg's call on the Iranian authorities to put an end to the persecution of religious minorities, including the Baha'is, for their participation in social, educational and community activities that are part of their religious practice.
Press releasy by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs