Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take in response to the statement by UN Special Rapporteurs on the execution of Ruhollah Zam, published on 14 December; what assessment they have made of that statement calling his conviction, treatment in detention and execution a "serious violation of Iran’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights"; and what assessment they have made of the human rights situation in Iran.

As we said on 13 December, we are appalled by the execution of Iranian journalist Ruhollah Zam. The UK Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. We assess that Iran's human rights situation has worsened over the course of this year. It's record remains of serious concern to the UK and the FCDO has designated Iran as one of its Human Rights Priority Countries.

We regularly raise human rights with the Iranians at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record.