Prisoners of Iran

SIR – On September 18, Mahvash Sabet, a leading member of the Bahá’í religious community, left Iran’s notorious Rajai Shahr prison after nine years and six months of incarceration.

In May 2013 we were among 18 jurists and academics who wrote to this newspaper to express concern that Ms Sabet and six other leading Bahá’ís, known as the Yaran, were being imprisoned for their beliefs. They had been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for alleged crimes which included “spreading corruption on earth” and collaboration with the “tyrannical Quds-occupying regime” (Israel).

We welcome Ms Mahvash’s release. Yet the other members of the Yaran remain in prison.

Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, was in New York last week to address the United Nations General Assembly. He has spoken about improving rights for religious minorities. He could take steps to ensure that all Iranian citizens, including the 350,000-strong Bahá’í community, enjoy the full protection of the law and equality before the law.

A decision by the Iranian judiciary to expedite the release of the remaining members of the Yaran would convey a message of hope for Iran’s place in the family of nations. Michael Birnbaum QC

Sir Geoffrey Nice QC

Sir Desmond de Silva QC