Iran

Lord Alton of Liverpool Excerpts

Thursday 5th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Alton of Liverpool (CB)]

My Lords, will the Minister commit that we will be unrelenting in working with like-minded nations in holding to account those who have been responsible for these atrocities, these massacres, on such a scale? Before the House debates the report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights on transnational repression, on 26 February, will she undertake to go back and look at the evidence about the persecution of BBC Persian journalists, independent journalists and pro-democracy activists in this country, and at the current inquiry of the Charity Commission into one charity which has been promoting the IRGC and its narrative? Secondly, will the Minister look at the potential use of Wilton Park as a place to bring together the disparate elements who form the opposition—not least people such as Maryam Rajavi but also supporters of other groups—to see whether a proper alliance can be constructed of like-minded groups to promote democracy and the rule of law?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I completely agree with the noble Lord on accountability, and we have used our position on the Human Rights Council to further that and to get missions in place to gather the facts that are needed. I will of course read what he suggests on transnational repression; it is incredibly important, and I will make sure that I do that. I have not looked at the Charity Commission issue that he raised, but I will commit to doing so. I welcome the suggestion around Wilton Park; it is a very useful opportunity to get people together in a closed environment to have the kind of conversations that can make a real difference to these situations.