Iran’s plan to make apostasy a capital offence condemned by Britain

Foreign Secretary David Miliband has condemned a planned law in Iran that would make apostasy a capital offence. The bill is aimed at stopping conversions to Christianity, which have been increasing in Iran. Several people have already been jailed for converting.

Mr Miliband said that “If adopted, [the legislation] would violate the right to freedom of religion, which is also an important basis of any civilised society.” Miliband’s comments on apostasy came as part of a wide-ranging attack on Iran’s recent human rights record which he delivered to the House of Commons.

He also noted execution figures which he suggested were “horrific” and told law makers he would continue to raise Iran’s human rights violations with Iranian authorities.

10 October 2008