Submission from the Spiritual Assembly
of the Bahái'is of Redbridge
As you are Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee,
I know that you are very much aware of the situation regarding
the Bahái'is in Iran. I am also aware, through our office
of External Affairs, that you have been extremely supportive in
bringing this matter to the attention of people who need to know.
On behalf of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahái'is therefore,
we would like to say how indebted and very grateful we are to
you for your active support and the expressions of concern you
have made regarding the plight of the Bahái community in
Iran.
I am however compelled to write to you today
as the latest news regarding the situation of the seven Baháis
(know as the Friends in Iran), who have been detained in Evin
prison for just over a year, is very disturbing. We have been
informed that these seven Bahái'is will now apparently
be accused of mofsede-fel-Arz which is a very serious allegation
in Iran, meaning "spreading corruption on earth".
This allegation could result in capital punishment (death) under
Iran's penal code.
Our concern is for the preservation of the innocent
lives of those seven Bahá'is but we are also equally worried
that this allegation, if allowed to proceed, will then provide
a real and dangerous precendent for other Bahái'is already
in prison in Iran as well as giving the authorities another reason
and allegation with which to harass and arrest more innocent people.
This grave situation requires immediate and
urgent action. It is for that reason that I am writing to ask,
if it is possible for you, to kindly consider signing the early
Day Motion 937 on the arrest and trial of Bahá'is
in Iran, tabled by Lembit Opik on 2 March 2009. I would also
be grateful if you would consider making a personal statement
or gathering some of your fellow MP's together to make a joint
statement condemning the persecution of the Bahái's in
Iran, with particular reference to the plight of the seven.
Lastly, any personal representation on your
part to the Foreign Secretary or to the Iranian Embassy in London
would be much appreciated. Past experience has demonstrated the
efficacy of showing a united and public front that lets the Iranian
government know, in no uncertain terms, that they eyes of the
world are upon them and injustice will not be tolerated.
Carol Khorsandyon
18 May 2009
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