Text of letter from FCO Minister Alistair Burt on Bah'ais in Iran

Thank you for your letter of 19 February, about the imprisoned Baha'i leaders in Iran.

I share your concern about reports of the recent transfer of the two women Baha'i leaders to another prison unit. A senior Government official expressed our concern to the Iranian Charge d'Affaires in London on 18 February, requested further details of the reasons for the transfers, and sought assurances that they would be protected from harm. We remain in contact with the Iranian authorities about this case.

The Iranian Government has not responded to consistent messaging from the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council (HRC) and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, or the Secretary General to improve the human rights situation in country. Iran has also failed to implement any significant recommendations from its Universal Periodic Reveiw last year, including the facilitation of visits by special procedures, under their mandate. At the HRC currently in session in Geneva we are working with partners to establish a Special Rapporteur for Iran. This would ensure international scrutiny on Iran's human rights record.

Please accept my assurances that the UK remains firmly committed to taking action
on its own and together with our international partners to press the Iranian authorities
to ensure that justice is done in their cases.