GENEVA — Two United Nations Special Rapporteurs have expressed their deep concern at the situation of minority religions in Iran.

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, has joined with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, to call for a "thorough and independent review" of "all cases against individuals arrested and prosecuted on charges related to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion and belief."

"No individual should be arrested for peacefully exercising the rights to freedom of religion and belief, expression and association," they said.

Dr. Shaheed stressed that the arrest and prosecution of individuals for religious affiliation runs counter to the protection of minority religions in Iran's Constitution and represents a violation of the country's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Iran ratified in 1975.