Persecution

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence CannonToronto, Ontario, 17 December 2010 (CBNS) — Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Cannon, today called on Iran to release unconditionally the seven Baha’i community leaders imprisoned by the Iranian regime. “These individuals have been held without cause for 28 months in harsh conditions,” said the Minister, adding that “the accusations against them reflect a deliberate distortion of their religion and their service to the community.” The Minister's statement can be found at the following link.

From Baha’i World News Service.

Geneva, 12 April 2010 (BWNS) — The seven imprisoned Iranian Baha'i leaders were called to court today in Tehran for a third session in their trial. The hearing was again closed, and no details are available.

Geneva, 7 February 2010 (BWNS) — Seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders appeared in court today in Iran for a second session of their trial.

The session was once again closed, and family members were not permitted in the courtroom, the Baha'i International Community has learned.

Toronto, Ontario, 9 January 2010 (CBNS) — On Friday, Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon issued a strong statement expressing concern over Iran's continued detention of seven leaders of Iran's Baha'i community (see CNN's coverage).

Toronto, Ontario, 30 October 2009 (CBNS) — Canada tabled a resolution at the UN last Thursday condemning Iran’s human rights record and will introduce it this coming week. It is the sixth resolution which Canada has tabled at the U.N. since 2003. The resolution has been passed each year by a vote of the membership of the U.N.General Assembly, attracting many co-sponsors, including the EU.