Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL2469):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what further steps they plan to take at the UN General Assembly Third Committee to hold the leaders of the Iranian regime to account for serious human rights violations, including the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. (HL2469)
Tabled on: 07 September 2021
This question was grouped with the following question(s) for answer:
- To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take (1) to ensure that a UN inquiry into the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran is launched, and (2) to ensure that the call for such an inquiry is added to any future UN General Assembly resolution on Iran. (HL2468)
Tabled on: 07 September 2021
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
The British Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. The UK has designated Iran as a Human Rights Priority Country, and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record. This will include using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session.
We urge Iran to allow the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran access to the country, so that he can conduct research and investigations into human rights concerns reported there, including the events of 1988. Meanwhile, we have always been clear that Iran must uphold its own international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present.
We are in regular contact with the Iranian Government and expect to engage with President Raisi on a number of issues now he has taken office, including human rights. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course and commit to improving human rights in Iran.
Date and time of answer: 21 Sep 2021 at 16:57.
