Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the rights of women and girls in Iran, and specially of the issue of violence against women and girls in that country; and what steps they are taking in connection with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) to highlight and address any challenges they have identified.

Mahsa Amini's death is a shocking reminder of the repression faced by women in Iran. On 14 November the UK sanctioned 24 leading political and security officials in Iran for their role in the brutal crackdown on protests, which included unacceptable violations of the rights of women and girls. This followed our earlier sanctions against the Morality Police and other leading security figures. The UK continues to urge Iran to improve its human rights record, including on women and girls, at all appropriate opportunities. The UK is also working with international partners to ensure Iran is held to account. On 24 November, the UK voted in support of the UN Human Rights Council's resolution to establish an investigation into human rights violations by the regime during the protests. We are also working with partners to ensure Iran is removed from the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).