A member of the Irish parliament has formally raised concerns over the recent summons to prison of a Christian couple in Tehran for belonging to a house-church.

Neale Richmond did not mention the Christians by name in his written question to foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney, but confirmed to Article18 that he was referring to Parkinson’s sufferer Homayoun Zhaveh, 62, and his wife Sara Ahmadi, 42, whose summons was reported by Article18 on 25 March.

Mr Richmond asked Mr Coveney, who visited Iran just two weeks earlier, to provide his views and an official statement on “the treatment of Christians, Baha’i and other religious minorities in Iran, and in particular the recent summons to prison in Tehran of Christians for the crime of belonging to a house church”. 

In his written response on 1 April, Mr Coveney said the human rights situation in Iran had “long formed an important part of Ireland’s engagement and dialogue with Iran”, and that “reports on the treatment of Christians, Baha’i, and other religious minorities in Iran are deeply concerning”.

“It is unacceptable to discriminate against individuals on the basis of their religion,” he added.

Mr Coveney said Ireland “has consistently raised concerns around the treatment of religious minorities in Iran in appropriate international fora”, including by supporting a resolution at the UN General Assembly in November which raised concerns over “increasing restrictions on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief” in Iran, including for Christians, Baha’is and other religious minorities. 

“Ireland has also raised concerns about discrimination against religious minorities on a bilateral basis with Iran, as well as a Member of the EU,” he said. “Ireland, along with the EU, will continue to encourage progress in relation to religious minorities in Iran, and to make clear our concerns to the Iranian authorities.”

Mr Coveney concluded by stating that he had “raised concerns over the human rights situation in Iran” with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during his visit on 7 March, and that they had “agreed on the need for increased dialogue on human rights issues”.

Following his visit, Mr Coveney was criticised in The Irish Catholic newspaper for not specifically addressing the issue of Christian persecution during his meeting with Mr Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani.

Mr Richmond told Article18 he welcomed Mr Coveney’s “confirmation that he raised human rights concerns in Iran and that Ireland will use its positions within the EU and on the UN Security Council to further these”.

He added: “The situation in Iran for many is extremely concerning, and there is a duty to partners to raise these concerns.”