JAPAN SEEKING MORE EVIDENCE WHILE CONSIDERING

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001888 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/IR, DRL, AND IRF E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2008 TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI IR JA SUBJECT: JAPAN SEEKING MORE EVIDENCE WHILE CONSIDERING BAHA'I TREATMENT IN IRAN REF: STATE 54484 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan. Reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (U) This message contains an action request. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Officer delivered reftel points regarding Tehran's treatment of religious minorities to MOFA Second Middle East Division on April 5 . On April 7, Second Middle East's Koichi Nakao replied that Japan has long been concerned with human rights in Iran, and often discusses human rights with Iranian officials. However, Nakao continued, before Japan could approach Iran or issue a statement as requested by the United States, particularly one addressing the Baha'i situation, Japan would need more concrete evidence of discrimination than had been provided in reftel. While Tokyo believes discrimination against the Baha'i probably exists, it has received no concrete evidence from its embassy in Tehran and, in Tokyo's experience, appeals to Iranian officials without concrete evidence to back them up are usually ineffective. Nakao suggested that "rumors" and "we anticipate the possibility" -- as stated in reftel -- would not be enough on its own for Japan to make a special intervention at this time. He added that MOFA will task Japan's Embassy in Tehran to further investigate Baha'i community's claims. ¶3. (C) ACTION REQUEST. Embassy Tokyo requests Department provide more specific evidence of discrimination against the Baha'i and/or other religious minorities in Iran. SCHIEFFER