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Written Question
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: EU Countries
Tuesday 17th January 2023

Asked by: Ruth Edwards (Conservative - Rushcliffe)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with her EU counterparts on the potential impact of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on peace and security in Europe.

Answered by David Rutley

The Iranian regime, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), poses a persistent threat to the peace and security of Europe. Since January 2022, there have been at least 10 threats by Iran to kidnap or kill British or UK-based individuals. The recent transfers of UAVs to Russia for use in Ukraine is yet another facet of this threat. HMG works closely with European partners to counter and deter malign Iranian activity in the UK and overseas. We have sanctions designations on over 300 Iranian individuals and entities including the IRGC in its entirety.

Written Question
Iran: Baha'i Faith
Thursday 15th December 2022

Asked by: Ruth Edwards (Conservative - Rushcliffe)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the trends in the level of the risk of persecution of the Baha'i people in Iran by authorities in that country.

Answered by David Rutley

The Baha'i community in Iran is systematically persecuted by the Iranian regime. Reports indicate that the regime has redoubled its repression over the last year with increasing expropriation of land, destruction of homes and detention of Baha'is.

The persecution of religious minorities in Iran cannot be tolerated. The Minister for the Middle East and Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, made this clear in his statement of 5 August. The former Minister for Africa reiterated our commitment to holding Iran to account for its treatment of the Baha'i at the Westminster Hall debate of 11 October. The UK raised the Baha'i at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee on 26 October and pressed for the inclusion of the Baha'i in the UNGA Resolution which passed on 16 November.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 26 Oct 2021
Oral Answers to Questions

"15. What steps she is taking to establish partnerships founded on shared security priorities following the trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK and the United States. ..."
Ruth Edwards - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 26 Oct 2021
Oral Answers to Questions

"I thank the Secretary of State for her answer. Could she set out how the Government intend to expand the scope of partnerships such as AUKUS to cover civilian and dual-use technologies such as semi- conductor chips and 5G?..."
Ruth Edwards - View Speech

View all Ruth Edwards (Con - Rushcliffe) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 06 Sep 2021
Afghanistan: FCDO Update

"The Taliban’s values may not have changed, but their use of technology has. What assessment have the Government made of the ways in which the Taliban may be using technologies such as social media to track opponents and spread disinformation, and how can we work with our allies and social …..."
Ruth Edwards - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 20 Jul 2021
Cyber-attack: Microsoft

"Cyber capabilities are the new arms race, but skills are in short supply. How can we best work with our allies to build the skilled workforce we need to defend ourselves in cyber-space?..."
Ruth Edwards - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 27 Jan 2021
Russian Federation: Human Rights

"Does my hon. Friend agree that Russia should continue to be allowed a seat at the table of international partnerships only if it ceases its malign activities?..."
Ruth Edwards - View Speech

View all Ruth Edwards (Con - Rushcliffe) contributions to the debate on: Russian Federation: Human Rights
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 02 Sep 2020
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

"Can my right hon. Friend reassure me that the UK’s leading international role in tackling climate change, including programmes such as Partnerships for Forests, and in improving resilience to climate change in developing countries, will be enhanced through the join-up of our diplomatic and development efforts, and that funding will …..."
Ruth Edwards - View Speech

View all Ruth Edwards (Con - Rushcliffe) contributions to the debate on: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office