In a statement, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed the United States’ deep concern at “the persecution of Iranian citizens at the hand of their government…” “Iran’s leaders also continue to persecute ethnic and religious minorities,” said Secretary Clinton. “We are troubled by reports that, of the dozens of prisoners executed in 2011, most are ethnic minorities. At the same time, Baha’is and other religious minorities continue to be subjected to arbitrary arrests and prosecutions, harsh sentences, and unsafe prison conditions. We call on Iran to free all political prisoners and persecuted minorities…The world will continue to watch and will hold accountable those responsible for these actions. The United States joins the international community in affirming the universal rights to which all men and women - in Iran and around the world - are entitled.”