Iran: Questions by Lord Alton of Liverpool
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL11382):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the letter sent by UN Human Rights special rapporteurs to the government of Iran on 3 September about the alleged extrajudicial mass executions of political dissidents in 1988 in Iran; and what plans they have to support the call for an international investigation into reports of such executions in prisons perpetrated by that government. (HL11382)
Tabled on: 14 December 2020
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
We read the letter of 3 September with deep concern. The UK Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. We strongly support the work done by the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran, and have always been clear that Iran must uphold its international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations.
We regularly raise human rights with the Iranians at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record. Furthermore, we urge Iran to allow the Special Rapporteur access to the country, so that he can conduct research and investigations into human rights concerns reported there, including the 1988 incident.
Date and time of answer: 23 Dec 2020 at 16:30.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL11383):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Kameel Ahmady being sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran on 13 December; and what assessment they have made of the impact of his research on (1) female genital mutilation, and (2) child marriage, on his conviction. (HL11383)
Tabled on: 14 December 2020
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
We are urgently seeking more information from the Iranian Government about reports that Kameel Ahmady, a dual British national, has been sentenced. We do not have sight of the Iranian judicial process or what formal charges have been brought against him. We remain deeply concerned about all our dual British nationals detained in Iran.
Date and time of answer: 23 Dec 2020 at 16:29.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL11384):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they intend to take in response to the statement by UN Special Rapporteurs on the execution of Ruhollah Zam, published on 14 December; what assessment they have made of that statement calling his conviction, treatment in detention and execution a “serious violation of Iran’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”; and what assessment they have made of the human rights situation in Iran. (HL11384)
Tabled on: 14 December 2020
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
As we said on 13 December, we are appalled by the execution of Iranian journalist Ruhollah Zam. The UK Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. We assess that Iran’s human rights situation has worsened over the course of this year. It’s record remains of serious concern to the UK and the FCDO has designated Iran as one of its Human Rights Priority Countries.
We regularly raise human rights with the Iranians at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record.
Date and time of answer: 23 Dec 2020 at 16:25.
