Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to add my voice to those in this place, including those of the members for Blair and Fremantle, calling for improved human rights, in particular religious freedom, in Iran. I recently met with representatives of the Baha’i faith in the southern highlands of New South Wales and was briefed by them on the trial and reported sentencing of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran. I understand that these seven were part of an informal group already well known to Iranian authorities and that their arrest in 2008 was both sudden and arbitrary.

Their recent sentencing to 20 years of imprisonment took place following a flawed legal process during which they categorically denied all charges. The sentencing has been condemned around the world, including by members in this place and the Australian government, which has expressed deep concern.

We should all be concerned when we hear of human rights violations, whether in Australia or in the distant countries in which individuals can be arrested and held in custody for over two years with no charges laid and no access to legal advice for most of that time. As a member of the Australian parliament I am committed to ensuring that the rights of individuals are protected and that the application of state law requires due process, fairness and transparency. I have put on record my call to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to do more to protect the rights of individuals and to end religious persecution.