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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION NO: 410 (NW557E)
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 8-2013 OF 15 MARCH 2013
MRS C DUDLEY (ACDP) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND
COOPERATION:
1) Whether she has been informed that a certain person (name furnished)
was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment, a sentence that violates
respect for the fundamental freedom of religion;
2) whether South Africa has international relations with Iran; if not,
what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant
details;
3) whether any diplomatic intervention can be made on the said personâs
behalf; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
4) whether she intends to intervene for the sake of the said person, his
family and all other Christians; if not, why not; if so, what are the
relevant details?
REPLY:
1) Yes. The Government of South Africa received information about the
sentencing of the person (name furnished) through media and other open
sources.
2) Yes. South Africa and Iran maintain diplomatic relations.
3) The person is not a national of South Africa and the Government has
accordingly no jurisdiction to intervene in this case.
4) The Government of South Africa has no jurisdiction to intervene in
individual cases of persons who are not nationals of South Africa.
However, it would continue to engage with the Government of the
Islamic Republic of Iran, as it does with several other countries, on
the need to promote and protect human rights, including the freedom of
religion.
UNQUOTE