Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I draw the House's attention to the ongoing persecution of Baha'is in Iran. Baha'i is Iran's largest non-Muslim religious minority. They have enjoyed 40 years of relentless persecution solely because of their religious beliefs. In recent months it has been reported that there's been an escalation of persecution of Baha'is, with an increase in the number of arrests, the confiscation of land, and the destruction of property, including Baha'i cemeteries. People are being imprisoned and children are left separated from their parents. In June alone, 44 Baha'is were arrested, arraigned or imprisoned; 26 were handed a combined total of 85 years in prison. Young Baha'is are prevented from attending university.

The persecution of Baha'is in Iran has been widely reported on and condemned by numerous reputable human rights officers from around the world. It seems that there is a methodical strategy by the Iranian government to eliminate the Baha'i religion. I call on the Iranian government, through their embassy here in Canberra, to cease the violations against Baha'is, to release those in prison, to drop the charges against them and to return their properties to them.