Asked by: Baroness O'Loan (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the government of India on the death in custody of Father Stan Swamy SJ, and the continued imprisonment of those allegedly involved in the Bhima Koregaon violence.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
His Majesty's Government extends condolences, first and foremost, to those who knew and worked closely with Fr. Swamy at Jesuit Missions.
Jesuit Missions' work, partnering with organisations to empower local communities and to build a more just and sustainable future, is admirable.
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations very seriously. However, given this is an internal Indian legal matter, the ability of the UK Government to get involved directly on these matters is significantly limited.
The UK Government has a broad, deep and respectful partnership with the Government of India. This includes sharing perspectives on human rights issues and finding common ground.
Our High Commission in New Delhi and our network across India monitor human rights across the country. We engage Indian stakeholders on a range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with civil society.
This includes raising issues of concern where we have them.
Asked by: Baroness O'Loan (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to bring a case against Iran before the International Court of Justice for crimes against the people of Iran.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are not currently bringing a case against Iran at the International Court of Justice relating to its human rights record. We continue to engage international partners on the best approach for holding Iran accountable for its continued violations; we were instrumental in delivering the Iran resolution, adopted by the UN Third Committee in November 2024, which spotlighted and condemned Iran's repression of fundamental rights, including in relation to the death penalty, women and girls, and religious and ethnic minorities. We continue to support the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, which is essential for investigating alleged crimes by the Islamic Republic against protesters during nationwide protests in 2022-23, and we look forward to its next report in March 2025.
Asked by: Baroness O'Loan (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Iran to desist from human rights abuses in that country.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We continue to take significant action in multilateral fora to urge the Islamic Republic to cease its human rights violations, including at the UN Human Rights Council and UN Third Committee. We were instrumental in delivering the Iran Resolution, adopted by the Third Committee in November 2024, which spotlighted and condemned Iran's continued violations, including in relation to the death penalty, women and girls, and religious and ethnic minorities. In January 2025, the Foreign Secretary raised human rights directly with his Iranian counterpart. We will continue to raise rights issues directly with the regime, including through our Ambassador in Tehran.
Asked by: Baroness O'Loan (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to co-ordinate international efforts to secure the release of human rights defenders in prisons in Iran.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK was instrumental in delivering the Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the UN Third Committee in November 2024, which called on Iran to immediately and unconditionally release persons arbitrarily detained for the exercise of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including human rights defenders. In September 2024, we issued a joint statement alongside international partners, which underlined our commitment to human rights defenders in Iran fighting for fundamental freedoms. We will continue to work with international partners to hold Iran to account for its repression of human rights defenders.
Asked by: Baroness O'Loan (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Iran concerning ending executions in that country.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We have repeatedly called on the Iranian government to establish a moratorium on executions, including at the UN Human Rights Council and UN Third Committee last year. We are committed to working with international partners to hold Iran accountable for its egregious use of the death penalty.