e pressed at
human rights
violations in Iran
The Government should take
steps within the framework of in-
ternational law over the persecution
of members of the Baha'i faith in
Iran, the Deputy Leader of the,
Opposition, Mr Bowen, said yester-
day.
The issue cau!d be raised in the
International Commission of Human
Rights, o( which Australia was a mem-
ber. international aw had been violated
by the regime in iran.
“We have a duty and a right to raise
the matter in the Human Rights Corn-
mission and shouid do so”, he said.
Mr Bowen was speaking during de-
bate c c a motion by Mr Canton (Lib,
NSW) which exp:essed grave concern
at the persecution of members of the
Raha'i faith by the regime of Ayatollah
Khomeini.
The moticn expressed alarm at execu-
tions aciaty on the grounds of religion.
called on the Iranian Government so
release those unjustly detained and to
restore holy places and property, and
ccnnmcndcd the Austraiian Govern-
ment for p teslrg to the Iranian Gov-
erriment.
Mr Bowen ijid it was important that
the Australian Government speak out,
and there was no doubt that the Baha'i
faith in Australia was anxious that the
Austraiian Government took some ac-
tion.
MrCartton said members of the faith
Mr Bowen
were a very gentle people and were not
considered a threat to anyone.
The reason they were a threat to the
ayatollah was that they were a very
liberal sect. They could not be harmful
to anyone except a fanatic.
They had openness. equality of the
sexes, an independent investigation of
the truth and advocated the use of
science in advancing the human race,
he said.
The former Minister for Foreign Af.
fairs, Mr Peacc.ok. had called in the
iranian Charge d'Affairs so express the
Australian Government's concern over
the persecution.
The motion was agreed to.
/
In Parliament 5
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met at 2.ISpm: prayt s rietmons: (As
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by Minn ers discansan of rn uer met
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Schoks tecowl readies debtti men
contin :ed on Freedom of Ir.forma. Stu.i
lion hilt; adjournment lp t. kfl
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