26/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - The EU is concerned about the situation of religious minorities in Iran. In a statement issued on 26 September, member states deplore that “the pressure on people belonging to religious minorities has worsened in recent months”. The EU also said it was “deeply disturbed” by arrests carried out since April of several members of the Baha'i community and of Iranians who had converted to Christianity, and called for their “immediate and unconditional release”. Member states are critical, too, of the Bill going through the Iranian parliament which would make apostasy (leaving Islam) a crime punishable by death. If this Bill were to be passed, it would run counter to freedom of religion and the right not to belong to a religion. It would also infringe Article 18 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights which Iran has ratified, the EU said. (H.B./transl.rt)