Written question – State-sanctioned incitement to hatred and systematic persecution of Baha’is in Iran – E-004054/2025

Question for written answer  E-004054/2025/rev.1
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Günther Sidl (S&D), Lukas Mandl (PPE), Andreas Schieder (S&D), Hannes Heide (S&D), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D), Helmut Brandstätter (Renew), Evelyn Regner (S&D)

The persecution of Baha’is in Iran has escalated, with a recent statement by a Shia cleric calling for the exclusion of Baha’is from civil rights, declaring them enemies of Islam. These comments, endorsed by state-backed media, fuel religiously motivated persecution, worsening the already perilous situation for this peaceful minority.

Recently, Iranian authorities have once again grossly misused Article 49 of the Iranian Constitution to confiscate lawfully obtained property and assets belonging to Baha’is, placing them directly under government control through the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO).

In its latest global report on intolerance and violence based on religion or belief, the UN Secretary-General recalled the conclusions of the UN Human Rights Council of April 2025, asking the Iranian Government to ‘eliminate, in law and in practice’, all forms of persecution against Baha’is.

Given these developments:

• 1.What immediate action will the VP/HR take to address Iran’s state-sponsored religious persecution of the Baha’is?
• 2.In light of Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2025/774[1], addressing the persecution of the Baha’is, how does the EU plan to further implement and enforce sanctions against the Iranian entities responsible for these abuses, including EIKO?
• 3.How does the EU plan to raise the situation of the Baha’is in multilateral and bilateral discussions with Iran?

Submitted: 15.10.2025

• [1] Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2025/774 of 14 April 2025 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran (OJ L, 2025/774, 14.4.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/774/oj).