Die Europäische Union hat die jüngste Verhaftungswelle gegen die Bahá’í im Iran scharf verurteilt. Religionsfreiheit ist ein grundlegendes Menschenrecht, teilte die EU-Außenbeauftragte Catherine Ashton am Dienstag in einer Stellungnahme in Brüssel mit. Wir dokumentieren hier die Stellungnahme im Wortlaut:
The High Representative wishes to express her serious concern about the recent wave of arrests of Baha’i citizens, and the shutting down of an educational centre of the Baha’i community in Iran.
The European Union recalls that freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief are fundamental rights which must be guaranteed under all circumstances according to article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Iran has signed up to and ratified.
The European Union calls on Iran to immediately release all individuals detained on religious grounds, to put an end to the ongoing persecution of the Baha’i community, including in the field of education, and to refrain from all forms of discrimination against religious minorities, so as to guarantee the full respect for freedom of religion or belief in Iran.