Paris  - The European Union on Friday expressed concern over Iran's plans to introduce the death penalty for the apostasy.

Converts to Christianity in the Islamic state were already being detained, the presidency of the 27-member bloc said in Paris.

The followers of minority religious groups such as Christians and Sufi or Sunni Muslims were increasingly being persecuted, with their property confiscated and places of worship desecrated.

The EU agreed Friday that Iran's adoption of a law on apostasy, or a turning away from faith, would be a grave violation of religious freedom and contrary to Article 18 of the International Convention on Human Rights, the EU presidency said.

The lives of many Iranians, detained without justice for months over their faith, would be threatened.

The EU called on Iran to release all detainees and ensure freedom of religion. (dpa)