“I agree wholeheartedly that denial of access to education on the basis of faith is unacceptable. The human rights situation in lran remains a matter of serious concern to the Government, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains regular contact with the lrish Baha’i community on issues relating to Baha’is in particular. lreland uses regular opportunities to draw international attention to these problems.During a recent address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 4th of March 2015, he expressed his concern that “Freedom of Religion and Belief is in peril in many places worldwide, with members of minority religious communities, including those of Christian, Muslim and Baha’i faith, disproportionately affected by violence, discrimination and harassment.”

During Iran’s Universal Periodic Review Review (a review process which all states must undergo) at the UN Human Rights Council in April 2014, lreland expressed concerns in its intervention regarding the situation of religious minorities in lran,and specifically recommended that lran review its policies of discriminating against students on account of their faith,ensure that the trials of members of religious minorities are conducted in a fair and transparent manner and accord them the full rights of citizens of Iran.

At the 27th Session of the Human Rights Council in September 2014 lreland raised concerns that some groups in lran,including those of the Baha’i faith and some Christian groups, are subject to signifciant persecution.