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Written Question
Iran: Human Rights
Thursday 30th September 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the government of Iran has (1) destroyed evidence of human rights violations, including mass graves of political prisoners from 1988, and (2) intimidated survivors and families of victims of human rights violations.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

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 includes using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. We also 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, and the reports of intimidation and destroyed evidence.

We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course, which includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.


Written Question
Iran: Human Rights
Thursday 30th September 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with other governments about establishing a United Nations led commission of inquiry into human rights violations in Iran, including the deaths of political prisoners in 1988.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

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 includes using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. We also 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, and the reports of intimidation and destroyed evidence.

We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course, which includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.


Written Question
Iran: Human Rights
Wednesday 29th September 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on 17 December 2020 calling on the government of Iran to investigate past and current human rights violations in the country.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

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 includes 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, to conduct research and investigations into reported human rights concerns.

We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course, which includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.


Written Question
Middle East: Peace Negotiations
Wednesday 23rd June 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure issues affecting the wider middle east region, including the involvement of Iran in regional conflicts, are included in discussions on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

Our immediate priority is to bring an end to Iran's continued systematic non-compliance with its JCPoA nuclear commitments. To that end, we are currently engaged in talks in Vienna with other JCPoA participants and the US aimed at returning the US to the deal, bringing Iran back into full compliance with its commitments and restoring the benefits of the deal for all.

A restored and fully implemented JCPoA could provide the confidence to further address regional and security concerns. As such, we welcome and support President Biden's commitment to not just return to the deal, but to strengthen and extend it. A substantive effort is required to improve regional security and Iran's role in destabilising the region needs to be addressed.


Written Question
Ebrahim Raisi
Wednesday 23rd June 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights record of the Iranian presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

Iran is a Human Rights Priority Country for the FCDO. We consistently monitor the human rights situation there, and call on President-elect Raisi to set Iran on a different course. He must commit to improving human rights and to release British nationals arbitrarily detained there. Our assessment is that the Iranian authorities have suppressed protests through lethal violence, while arbitrary detention and mistreatment in prison prevails, and access to justice remains constrained. We regularly raise human rights with the Iranians at all levels and take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record. For example, in September 2020, the United Kingdom, France and Germany summoned Iranian ambassadors and delivered a joint letter that expressed our deep concern at the grave human rights violations occurring inside Iran.


Written Question
Hong Kong: Freedom of Association
Thursday 29th April 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the protections for freedom of assembly in Hong Kong under (1) Article 27 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law, and (2) Article 17 of Hong Kong’s Bill of Rights, as a consequence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration 1984; what assessment they have made of the extent to which freedom of assembly in Hong Kong has been infringed during the last two years; and what sanctions they intend to impose on (a) the government of China, and (b) individuals acting on behalf of the government of China, as a consequence of any such infringements.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. The Minister will write directly to the Member with a response shortly.


Written Question
Iraq: Politics and Government
Monday 15th February 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the government of Iraq in (1) establishing its authority in that country, and (2) reducing the influence of other governments.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and is supporting the Government of Iraq to achieve this. We continue to provide technical and military assistance to Iraq, equipping the government to counter threats from Daesh and other destabilising influences from within the country and the wider region.

We regularly engage with the Government of Iraq and the international community on Iraq's security challenges and regional tensions. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in London on 22 October and pledged the UK's continuing support for the Iraqi government. Minister Cleverly reiterated the UK Government's commitment to Iraq's sovereignty, security and economic stability when he visited Iraq in November.


Written Question
Iran: Nuclear Power
Monday 8th February 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the government of Israel, (2) the government of the United Arab Emirates, and (3) the government of Bahrain, about their inclusion in any discussions regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We welcome and support President-elect Biden's commitment to return to the JCPoA, and to strengthen and extend it. We have always been clear that any sustainable solution will need to address a range of issues, in particular Iran's nuclear programme but also regional security concerns. We have continued a regular dialogue with the Governments of Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain (amongst others) regarding the JCPoA, and are committed to engaging all regional partners in any future negotiations on regional security.


Written Question
Iran: Nuclear Fuels
Monday 8th February 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications for stability in the Middle East of the government of Iran's intention (1) to enrich uranium up to 20 per cent purity, and (2) to produce uranium metal.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Iran's commencement of uranium enrichment up to 20% at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant has no credible civil justification and carries very significant proliferation-related risks. Iran also has no credible civilian use for uranium metal, which could provide knowledge gains applicable to a weapons programme. As recently published in a joint statement, the E3 has expressed its deep concern at these steps which are further Iranian violations of its JCPoA commitments. We strongly urge Iran to halt these activities and return to compliance with its nuclear commitments without delay. Regional stability and security would be deeply undermined if Iran was ever to achieve a nuclear weapons capability.


Written Question
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
Monday 1st February 2021

Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to designate the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We have been clear about our concerns over Iran and the IRGC's continued destabilising activity throughout the region, which includes political, financial and military support to a number of militant and proscribed groups, including Hizballah in Lebanon and Syria, militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen. The IRGC is sanctioned in its entirety by the UK. The list of proscribed organisations is kept under constant review. We do not routinely comment on whether an organisation is or is not under consideration for proscription.