Assyrian MP disputes claims of western media on minorities rights in Iran

6/6/06

Tehran (IRNA) -- Representative of Assyrian and Chaldean minorities in Majlis Younaten Bet-Klia said that the propaganda of the West on violation of the minorities rights in Iran are illusive claims.

He told IRNA that the Western countries merely seek subjects for their own intellectual and human rights slogans.

Stressing that Iran does not need any patronage, he said that the West should rather seek a way to tackle the racist movements and catastrophes underway in the Western countries claiming to be proponents of human rights.

"Here in Iran, a representative of minorities in Majlis is authorized to impeach a minister and call on the president for clarification," he added.

He said that according to Constitution's Article 19, all Iranian people from various ethnic groups enjoy equal rights. Besides neither color of skin and race nor religion and language are considered as privilege.

The MP said that Iran is the only country where religious minorities coexist comfortably.

"The Constitution has authorized us to protect our own religion, language and culture, while the government has never interfered in the religious affairs and rituals of the minorities," he added.

Bet-Klia called on the world pretenders to human rights to participate in religious ceremonies of the minorities while visiting Iran and see that they are free to observe their rituals.

"As a citizen of Iran, a country with a 3,000-year-old civilization, I take pride in having so far coexisted peacefully with my countrymen in full freedom and with comfort," he added.

Turning to the claims of Western media that according to a bill on dress code ratified by Iranian Majlis, the religious minorities are required to put badges on their clothes to distinguish them from Muslims, he said how a prime minister can refer to a bill about which we as members of Iranian parliament (Majlis) know nothing.

Following the release of a false report by the Canadian daily, National Post about such a bill, Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper rushed to show a reaction without taking time to verify it.

Concerning the national dress code in Iran, he said, "Not only is it not problematic, but is rather rational and acceptable.

Besides, in most countries during national ceremonies the participants are required to put on their national dress." He stressed that even if there are any concerns in Iran, they are equally applicable to all Iranians irrespective of their religion.