Iran has denied violations of religious freedom after participants in a meeting hosted by the United States accused it of persecuting religious minorities.
"The United States and other violators of the most natural and obvious basic human rights are not in a position to make a one-sided and biased judgment about other countries with different cultures and ethnicities," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said in remarks published Monday.
On July 26, participants in the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom held in Washington issued a statement on Iran, in which they said, "As representatives of the international community, we stand together in condemning the systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom taking place in Iran and call on authorities to ensure religious freedom for all."
Qasemi said those who attended the meeting do not represent the international community and their statement, which is based on "incorrect, biased and untrue" information, amounts to interference in Iran's domestic affairs.
Peaceful Co-Existence
Iran is a place of tolerance and peaceful co-existence between people of all faiths and their legal rights are protected under the Constitution, he added.
"Followers of all divine religions play an active role in the Islamic Consultative Assembly [parliament] and other elected bodies while fully enjoying their civil rights," the spokesman was quoted as saying.
He was of the opinion that it is the western countries that have caused catastrophic devastation in the Middle East by inciting religious strife.
