Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con) (Urgent Question): To ask the
Foreign Secretary to update the House on the current situation in
Iran and the treatment of protesters. The Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Affairs (David Rutley) The news on Sunday that the Iranian regime
had sentenced a protester to death was tragic. It is an act that
the UK Government utterly condemn, in the strongest possible terms.
Sadly, this is...Request free trial
(Harrow East) (Con)
(Urgent Question): To ask the Foreign Secretary to update the
House on the current situation in Iran and the treatment of
protesters.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Affairs ()
The news on Sunday that the Iranian regime had sentenced a
protester to death was tragic. It is an act that the UK
Government utterly condemn, in the strongest possible terms.
Sadly, this is yet another act of desperation on the part of a
regime that clearly cares more about its own survival than about
the human rights of its own citizens. This is not the first time
we have seen the Iranian regime use barbaric methods to clamp
down on those standing up for basic freedoms. Following the 2019
fuel protests, more than 300 people were tragically killed.
The latest violence levelled at protesters has been utterly
appalling. We have seen over 14,000 people detained so far, and
over 300 deaths, of which 43 were children. The UK opposes the
death penalty in all circumstances, but it is all the more
abhorrent when those sentenced are being arrested for standing up
for their rights. My fear—which I am sure my hon. Friend
shares—is that the frequency of these death sentences is only
likely to increase as the regime processes the thousands of
arrests that have been made during the protests. The Iranian
judicial system is notorious for its lack of transparency and
process, and this barbarism is just one of many threatening and
intimidating techniques that the regime has rolled out in
response to the protests.
The repeated targeting of journalists and systematic constraining
of media freedom, including restricting internet use, in Iran,
which I know is important to the hon. Member for Enfield,
Southgate (), is yet another sign
of the regime’s weakness in the face of grassroots protesters.
These threats have extended to journalists residing in the United
Kingdom, and on Friday the Foreign Secretary summoned Iran’s most
senior representative in the UK to the Foreign Office to make it
clear that this would not be tolerated and that the UK would
always stand up to threats from other countries.
On Monday we announced a second round of human rights sanctions
against 24 Iranian security officials for their part in the
violent crackdown on protesters. That is on top of the sanctions
we introduced last month on the morality police and seven other
individuals, and we continue to keep our sanctions list under
review. The Government are also driving efforts in multilateral
forums to hold Iran to account. We firmly support a special
session of the Human Rights Council that will press to mandate a
UN investigation into the protests. We are working closely with
the US and other international partners to remove Iran from the
United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
What we are seeing in Iran is a grassroots movement from the
people of Iran, who are showing outstanding bravery in the face
of a brutal crackdown. Iran needs to stop trying to blame this on
everyone but itself, take responsibility for its actions and
instigate real change. That is what the Iranian people have been
bravely calling for and it is what they rightly deserve.
I thank Mr Speaker for granting this urgent question, and I thank
you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for presiding over it. I thank the
Under-Secretary for his response.
The House will be aware that, since the murder of Mahsa Amini,
there have been nationwide protests in Iran over the past six to
seven weeks. Contrary to the reports that the Minister mentioned,
the reports I have are that more than 60,000 people have been
arrested. These are men, women and children just protesting about
the murder of one young lady. The individuals who have been
arrested have been tortured, they have been denied legal
representation, they have been denied medication and in most
cases they have been denied bail as well. When bail was first
introduced, huge sums were demanded from families who simply did
not have the money. We should remember that the President of
Iran, President Raisi, was responsible as the prosecutor in Iran
for 30,000 executions of political prisoners in 1988, so the
direction from the top is very clear. As my hon. Friend has
mentioned, journalists in the UK have been threatened, and indeed
the Foreign Secretary called in the chargé d’affaires on Friday
about those threats. We are also aware that sentencing and
executions are beginning in Iran, and that many thousands of
people may end up being executed.
I have a series of questions for my hon. Friend the Minister.
What representations have been made to Iran directly on the
treatment of the protesters? What action has been taken at the
United Nations to remove Iran from positions of responsibility?
He has mentioned one position but there are many others that Iran
shares. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is directly
implicated in the torture of individuals in Iran. What more do we
have to see before the IRGC in its entirety becomes a proscribed
organisation in this country? President Macron has made it clear
that progress on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
negotiations is impossible during these events in Iran, so does
my hon. Friend agree that making any progress on the so-called
nuclear deal with Iran is impossible in these circumstances?
Finally, will my hon. Friend join me in wishing the England team
every success in beating Iran on Monday?
I thank my hon. Friend for his insightful comments, as always, on
this vital issue. I join him in wishing every success to the home
nations—both England and Wales, of course—in all their matches.
We always want to keep sport and foreign policy separate, because
our concerns are not with the Iranian people, whom we absolutely
support. Our concerns are with the Iranian regime, which my hon.
Friend and many others have consistently and rightly called
out.
My hon. Friend has made a number of important points. I reiterate
that we are utterly appalled by the detention of what we
calculate to be about 14,000 people. He has come up with a much
bigger number, but whichever number it is, they are most often
held without due process, and that is completely wrong when they
are really just protesting courageously for basic human rights.
He talked about the freedom of journalists. The Foreign Secretary
has rightly made sure that the Iranian chargé d’affaires
understood that we would not tolerate threats to journalists
based in the UK, but we are also calling out and condemning the
persecution of BBC Persian staff and will continue to do so.
My hon. Friend made an important point about where things stand
with the JCPOA. Quite understandably the situation that we find
ourselves in now, following Iran’s recent actions, has made
progress even more difficult, but I can assure him that we are
actively considering next steps with our international partners.
He also asked about the IRGC. He is a dog on a bone with this
subject, and I know that it means so much to him. As I have
explained to him before in the Chamber, we are very concerned
about the IRGC’s destabilising activity. The list of proscribed
organisations is kept under constant review, but we do not
routinely comment on whether an organisation is or is not under
consideration for proscription.
I think the last point my hon. Friend raised was about the United
Nations. As I said earlier, we are pressing for support for a
special session of the UN Human Rights Council and for a UN
investigation. I know from Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office oral questions that there is concern about Iran’s presence
on the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and we have joined
the US to forcefully seek for it to be removed from that. I hope
that he and all hon. Members understand that we are absolutely
committed to the task of calling out these acts and taking the
required action at this stage.
Madam Deputy Speaker ( )
I call the shadow Minister.
(Enfield, Southgate)
(Lab)
I thank the hon. Member for Harrow East () for bringing forward this urgent question. Iranians
have been protesting in almost every town and city for several
months, and these protests, led by women and girls, are demanding
in a loud and clear voice the end to brutal repression under the
Islamic Republic. Iranians are calling for human rights, for an
end to state violence and for the right to live free from the
Islamic Republic’s diktats on what women should wear and how they
choose to live their lives.
This movement is going from strength to strength, but the
regime’s crackdown has been brutal. More than 15,000 people have
been detained, and 227 Iranian parliamentarians have supported
calls for the detainees to face the harshest punishment—the death
penalty—with only 63 voting against. Two brave protesters have
now been sentenced to death, and human rights organisations have
grave concerns about the fate of many more. The UK must stand
unequivocally against the death penalty, which is a gross abuse
of human rights. The vote by the Iranian Parliament represents an
escalation in the brutality of the response to these protests. At
home, the Met police have warned about threats—described as
presenting an imminent, credible risk to life—against British
Iranian journalists. The UK must act to ensure the safety of
those journalists, whose work is vital to the success of
protesters in Iran.
Will the Minister please tell the House what further sanctions
will now be put in place on those linked to the regime, in
response to this escalation? Can he tell me what steps the
Government are taking to protect journalists and UK nationals who
are critical of the regime? I acknowledge the steps being taken
with the UN, but what other diplomatic steps are the Government
taking to garner international opposition to the violence and
human rights attacks by the Iranian regime on its own
citizens?
As always, the hon. Gentleman asks thoughtful, thorough and
relevant questions. He says these protests are grassroots in
nature, which is why it is so important that Iran does not try to
confuse them with international action. These are grassroots
protests, which is why we stand by the Iranian people.
We absolutely condemn the use of the death penalty, particularly
in these circumstances, and we continue to call it out in our
interactions with the Iranian regime. We have taken steps to seek
protection for journalists and for those on the ground in Iran
with BBC Persian. Our sanctions are under constant review. As I
said, we took further steps on Monday against 24 officials in the
light of these horrific repressive activities by the Iranian
regime, and it will be kept under constant review. We are working
with international partners at the UN on the basis I have already
talked about. We will work to broaden those coalitions in driving
for action.
(North Somerset) (Con)
We are seeing further savage behaviour from a toxic regime
against its own people, and the sparse coverage in our own media
is a cause of disquiet at a time when politicians, the media and
civic society should be united in giving moral support to the
Iranian people as they seek basic human rights.
These abuses are not only happening in Iran. We know Iran has
been sending drones to Russia, to oppress the people of Ukraine.
We know Iran Air was used to transport those drones from Tehran
to Russia. Why, as I have asked before, is Iran Air, an organ of
the Iranian state, still operating daily flights out of Heathrow
rather than being banned?
My right hon. Friend is a strong advocate on these matters, and I
reassure him that we have taken urgent steps in response to
Iranian activity in support of Russia’s military action in
Ukraine. We have already put sanctions in place. I will take away
his point about airlines and speak to Lord Ahmad, who covers this
policy area. I will also raise it with the Foreign Secretary.
Madam Deputy Speaker ( )
I call the SNP spokesman.
(Stirling) (SNP)
I warmly commend the hon. Member for Harrow East () for securing this urgent question. He is a
long-standing advocate on these issues. I also commend the
Minister for his measured response to an almost impossible
situation.
The SNP, along with other colleagues, stands foursquare with the
brave protesters of Iran, led by women and girls, against an
oppressive, despotic regime. We have already seen 500 or so
people killed, with two people, that we know of, being formally
executed and thousands, if not tens of thousands, being at risk
of execution in Iran’s jails, which are known for their opacity
and lack of judicial standards.
The SNP supports the Minister in supporting the protesters, but
we have three concrete questions. First, surely now is not the
time to cut BBC World Service funding. It is the time to build up
that funding. I appreciate that we will have a statement
tomorrow, but, surely, is this not an open-and-shut case?
Secondly, on asylum rules, there is only so much we can do
against the Iranian regime, but will the UK offer a safe haven to
those fleeing damage and persecution? Thirdly, I always urge
dialogue, however difficult, but I find it increasingly difficult
to promote dialogue on the JCPOA with this regime at this time.
Does the Minister think it is finished? If so, with what will we
replace it?
We are grateful for the cross-party support on these issues,
which sends a very clear message from across the United
Kingdom.
BBC World Service is obviously going to be important. It has an
independent editorial and operational approach, but we are
actively supporting it by funding its work on disinformation and
so on. All I will say is that there has been some misreporting
about its radio content, as most people are moving to digital.
There is a digital-first process, as most people who listen to
BBC Persian do so via television or online. We are working on
that dimension.
The hon. Gentleman also spoke about sanctions, which we continue
to monitor and push forward. I will gladly meet him after this
urgent question to discuss the other issues.
(Chelmsford) (Con)
There are reports that the Iranian authorities are using live
ammunition to shoot at teenage girls. There are stories of young
women being arrested, forced into marriage and raped. These
children just want the most basic of rights, so it is good to
hear from the Minister that the UK is working to remove Iran from
the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Can he categorically
confirm to the women and girls of Iran who may be listening that
we will always stand on their side against oppression and that we
will not stop until we have used every single tool in our
diplomatic and sanctions toolbox?
My right hon. Friend is a terrific advocate for women, both in
her amazing work at the FCDO and outside. The sad death of Mahsa
Amini is a shocking reminder of the repression faced by women in
Iran. We stand four-square with them. I am the father of two
daughters, and we have to be ever-mindful of the rights of women,
particularly in countries that have a brutal regime such as
Iran’s. We will continue to stand four-square with them.
(Stockport) (Lab)
Sanctions are needed against those who commit abuses in Iran. Can
the Minister explain what his Government are doing to ensure that
the burden of sanctions does not fall on ordinary, innocent
Iranians?
That is a good question. Our focus is on targeting sanctions
against those who perpetrate the most heinous acts, but the
sanctions are under constant review.
(Reigate) (Con)
I welcome my hon. Friend’s strong statement of British values
towards Iran and his strong statement of support for the brave
women and girls who are protesting for their fundamental human
rights. Our values and rights ought to dictate our policy. Will
he comment on the slightly more difficult contrast with countries
such as Egypt? Egypt has 60,000 political prisoners, including
Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a British-Egyptian citizen about whom the
Prime Minister made representations at the recent summit. We
still do not have consular access to him.
Will my hon. Friend also comment on our policy towards Israel and
the composition of its new Government? That must give very grave
cause for concern, as must the fact that Israel has now been
found guilty by the world’s three most distinguished human rights
organisations of running an apartheid policy, and of being in
gross violation of the fourth Geneva convention.
I reassure my hon. Friend that human rights are at the forefront
of our conversations, dialogue and diplomatic activity, whether
with Iran, Egypt—we have already talked about the case of Mr
Fattah—or Israel. It is at the forefront of our work,
particularly in the middle east.
(Oxford West and Abingdon)
(LD)
I thank the hon. Member for Harrow East () for securing this urgent question, and I add the
Liberal Democrats’ voice to the solidarity with the brave Iranian
people, who deserve so much better.
May I press the Minister on giving safe haven to some of these
brave protesters? They are patriots, and they clearly want their
country to be a better place, but their being locked up and
executed is not the way to ensure Iran’s future stability. Surely
it would be better to offer them temporary safe haven in this
country, so they can go back and rebuild. What consideration has
he given to a resettlement scheme?
There may well be routes available for these individuals, and I
will certainly bring it to Lord Ahmad’s attention.
(Clwyd West) (Con)
It has been clear for many years that Iran is a rogue state,
presided over by gangsters posing as clerics and seeking to
maintain control through the actions of thugs posing as police
officers and militia. It is clear that the regime is terrified of
losing that control, which is why it is now resorting to
executing its own citizens for confected crimes. Does my hon.
Friend agree that now is the time for the United Kingdom to
position itself on the right side of history by declaring
unequivocally that it supports the demands of the brave people of
Iran for regime change in that country? I understand that he will
not comment on what proscription the Government may be
considering, but will he take it from me that very many hon.
Members would be delighted if they woke up tomorrow morning to
discover that the IRGC had been proscribed today?
I understand the points that my right hon. Friend makes. The
destabilising activity of the IRGC, be it in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon
or Syria, is very concerning, in the region and beyond. We are
constantly keeping that proscription under review but, as he
knows, I cannot comment at this stage.
(Birmingham, Selly Oak)
(Lab)
What measures are the Government taking to curb the activities of
agents of the regime attempting to operate in this country and
elsewhere in Europe? In particular, what actions are being taking
to ensure that Iranians with diplomatic status in this country
are genuine diplomats?
Obviously, I cannot comment on the detail of these things, but I
am sitting next to one of my esteemed colleagues at the Ministry
of Defence, the Minister for Armed Forces, and all these issues
are constantly monitored.
(Ipswich) (Con)
Lots of grim things are happening in the world, but many of us
will be particularly troubled and disturbed by what has been
happening in Iran recently. My heart goes out to everyone who is
protesting, particularly the women and girls. I support the views
expressed by many of my colleagues today, because I think that
the IRGC should be listed as a terrorist organisation, but I
would like to ask the Minister about the Christian community in
Iran. Last Friday, I met a Christian who fled Iran and is now a
key part of the local church in Ipswich. What steps are the
Government taking to support the Christian community in Iran and
the many people fleeing persecution?
That is a good question, and on a subject that I feel strongly
about too—I note that the hon. Member for Strangford () is in his place and he feels strongly about these
issues too. We raise those issues about Christians and about
other minorities in Iran, as we absolutely need to do.
(Halifax) (Lab)
We know that we have Iranian nationals here in the UK who have
clear links to the regime. We also know that Iranian and, in
particular, Iranian-heritage journalists based here in the UK
have been subjected to incredibly serious harassment and threats.
A recent report from MI5 said that up to 10 assassination
attempts have been made on British residents this year. What is
the Minister doing to work with his colleagues across Government
to ensure that those speaking out against the regime who are
based here in the UK are safe, and that those who are propping up
the regime and living in the UK know that that is utterly
unacceptable?
As I have said previously, in response to a very serious issue
that has been raised, the Foreign Secretary asked the chargé
d’affaires to come to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office, where it was made clear to them, in no uncertain terms,
that we do not allow or condone any of these intimidatory
activities. We are constantly monitoring that situation and we
will call that activity out.
(Hendon) (Con)
Iran’s Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported that
protestors have already been murdered and buried in unmarked
graves. This is similar to activities that happened in 1988, when
30,000 people were killed—President Raisi was also involved with
the organisation of that. My hon. Friend will know, as he has
already listed these things, that the IRGC will orchestrate such
behaviours—it did so for the bomb plot that targeted myself and
my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow East. We do not want the
Minister to comment on proscription, we simply want him, in the
face of overwhelming evidence, to proscribe the IRGC in its
entirety.
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that issue and I completely
understand, given the circumstances he and other colleagues found
themselves in, why it is particularly poignant for them. However,
as he says, it also has a much wider reach. I note that my right
hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is in his place. He is very
aware of these issues and we have had conversations about them,
along with Lord Ahmad.
(Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)
Women protestors in Iran are bravely protesting for their
fundamental freedom to live their lives as they choose. The UK
has a responsibility to support them. Will the Minister explain
how the UK intends to do that?
As others have said, it is vital that we support these brave
Iranian people; it is a grassroots-led protest movement. As I
have highlighted, we have made sure that we are calling out this
activity at every opportunity, we have put sanctions in place and
we are undertaking multilateral activities, one of which,
importantly, is working with the United States to remove Iran
from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. We have already
talked about that.
(Buckingham) (Con)
I join my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow East and other right
hon. and hon. Members in reiterating my call that the Government
should proscribe the IRGC. It is impossible to separate the
Iranian regime’s violent repression of its own civilian
population from its broader ambitions for regional dominance and
to develop a nuclear weapon. Today, the International Atomic
Energy Agency board of governors convenes for an important
meeting to discuss Iran’s many nuclear transgressions. Will the
Minister assure me that the UK will be leading efforts to call
for a motion of censure in the light of Iran’s flagrant breaches
of the imploding joint comprehensive plan of action nuclear
agreement?
That is another important point. There are many dimensions to
what is going on in Iran, but it is clear that Iran’s latest
actions have made progress on tackling the Iranians’ nuclear
activity much more difficult. As I have said, we are considering
the next steps with our international partners, but it is vital
that Iran co-operates with the IAEA.
(Cardiff North) (Lab)
More than 14,000 protestors have been arrested in Iran since
September and now there is real concern that many of these brave
women—journalists, activists, lawyers and educators—are soon to
be executed by the regime. I am grateful to the Minister for his
answers to the questions today, but perhaps he could give an
answer as to how the UK Government are going to work with
international partners to ensure the safety of these women and
ensure that they do not face the death sentence.
As I have said, it is vital to make sure we call this out. The
fact is that we have seen common cause and a common voice across
the Chamber today in condemning these actions—not just the
repression of these protests, but the death sentences that have
been meted out. We will continue to do that, particularly in
multilateral forums, as I have highlighted. We need to keep
putting the pressure on this brutal regime.
(Workington) (Con)
I know that the Minister has been pressed on these issues already
today, but it is important that he hears the strength of feeling
across this House. As the violent enforcer of the supreme leader
of Iran, the IRGC must be held accountable for its ongoing crimes
against the Iranian people. As the principal financier and arms
supplier of terror groups across the middle east, it is also
responsible for targeting innocent civilians from Iraq and Israel
through to Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, and it has been
linked to the deaths of more than 100 British military personnel.
Does the Minister share my concerns, and those of others from
across this House, that the IRGC is likely undertaking activities
in the UK? Does he agree that the IRGC must be proscribed?
I completely understand why my hon. Friend has added his voice to
those with concerns about the IRGC’s activities. We are concerned
too, as its activities in country and in the region are
incredibly destabilising. I cannot add anything to what I have
said about proscription, but we monitor the IRGC’s activities and
we will call it out and confront it.
(Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op)
The Minister is right when he says that there is universal
condemnation across this House, where we have today talked
powerfully about human rights abuses and the persecution of the
people of Iran, particularly the women fighting for their most
basic freedoms. Does he agree that if we are to learn the lessons
from our suffragette foresisters about deeds not words,
government needs to join up? Some 11,000 Iranians are making an
application for asylum in the UK and only 98 such applications
were granted last year. Iranians are the third largest group of
people in the channel-crossing boats. In the previous urgent
question today, people felt that the very same people whose
persecution we are now talking about should be penalised. What
discussions has the Minister had already with his Home Office
counterparts about providing sanctuary to those people, who we
recognise are being persecuted and do not wish to leave
languishing in hotels?
As I have said, there are routes available. I will make sure that
the hon. Lady’s points are raised with Lord Ahmad, who covers
this policy area. Her words will also not be lost with the
Foreign Secretary here.
(Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)
Many constituents have contacted me in support of the brave women
and girls and their allies protesting in Iran, and that was
before the latest despicable attack on them. The death penalty is
being given to who claim basic human rights. Next weekend, I,
like many women, will be marching to reclaim the night. Such a
protest attracting the death penalty would oppress and silence us
all. What will the Minister do to ensure that every protest,
every arrest, every act of torture and every threat of death
receives global attention, and how does slashing the BBC Persian
radio service contribute to that?
I have already responded to the point about BBC Persian. We
recognise the bravery of the people the hon. Lady mentions, and
we have put sanctions in place to call people out.
[Interruption.] The hon. Lady talks about amplifying that
message. One key step that we are taking is working to remove
Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. That is a
positive step forward in this context.
(Rutherglen and Hamilton
West) (Ind)
In the light of the unacceptable response to protests by the
Iranian authorities, what are Ministers doing to ensure that Iran
is removed from the UN Commission on the Status of Women, as
women have borne the brunt of many of the abuses?
As I have said, we are working with our international partners,
and we are working very closely with the United States on that
specific point. The hon. Lady is right: it makes a difference,
and we will push that matter forward.
(Strangford) (DUP)
I thank the Minister very much for his response to the questions
and for his desire and determination to assist the protesters in
their quest for democracy in Iran.
Iranian protesters are calling for a non-religious state, where
the rights of women and religious minorities are protected—an
issue on which both the Minister and I agree. A revolutionary
court in Tehran has started sentencing protesters to death on
charges that allegedly include “enmity against God” and
“corruption on earth”. Those charges have a chilling effect on
protesters and religious minorities and have led to fears of
large-scale executions in Iran in the coming weeks. Does the
Minister agree that, as a country, we must pursue every available
measure to support Iranians asserting their fundamental human
rights and sanction officials responsible for these violent
crackdowns?
The hon. Gentleman always makes these points with conviction and
real passion. I share his views. We want to support the Iranian
people—women, girls and those of religious minorities—in their
struggle. We will take every possible step forward that we can,
and, with cross-party support here, we will have extra weight and
clout in making those calls for action.
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