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The Execution of Alireza Akbari
16 January 2023
Lead MP
James Cleverly
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
TaxationForeign AffairsChildren & Families
Other Contributors: 21
At a Glance
James Cleverly raised concerns about the execution of alireza akbari in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
On Saturday morning, Iran's regime executed Alireza Akbari, a British-Iranian dual national. Mr Akbari was detained and subjected to an arbitrary legal process before being executed for political reasons. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been working closely with his family since February last year when they asked for support. Despite diplomatic efforts, the execution proceeded. Sanctions were imposed on Iran's Prosecutor General, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, who bears responsibility for politically motivated executions. Additionally, more than 40 sanctions have been placed on Iranian officials and entities linked to human rights violations since October. The UK has recalled its ambassador from Tehran for consultations. Over the past three months, Britain imposed five separate sets of sanctions against Iran, targeting over 300 individuals and entities. The regime's actions are undermining international peace and security, particularly through support of extremist militias and provision of drones to Russia.
Southgate and Wood Green
Question
The execution of Alireza Akbari is a barbaric act, a gross attempt to silence protest movements. The regime's actions are state-sanctioned killings designed to strike fear into the hearts of ordinary Iranian people. Mr Akbari returned from the UK to advise on the nuclear deal but was executed instead. When will the Government proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and take action to protect British Iranians threatened by the regime?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary thanked the hon. Gentleman for his comments and assured him that the Government shares his revulsion at the execution. He confirmed that further actions are being considered, including consultations with international partners on a coordinated response to Iran's human rights violations.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
The thoughts of the entire Committee are with Mr Akbari’s family. From hostage taking to terrorist plots, assassinations, nuclear extortion and destabilisation of the middle east and Europe, Iran is a terrorist state and it has weaponised human life. This is the first murder of a dual national since the 1980s. It is a clear escalation. I make four asks. First, the House is clear that we need to proscribe the IRGC. Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that he recognises that that is a policy decision, not a legal one? Secondly, we need to close down the IRGC’s operating centres within the UK, such as the one in Maida Vale. These are centres for spreading hostile influence within the UK. Can the Secretary of State also confirm that he will consider reactive sanctions to help the ordinary Iranians for whom no one else will stand up? After every state murder, we should impose sanctions to show we will give their voice some support. Finally, can he reassure me that he is confident of the safety of our staff in Tehran?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises incredibly important points. She knows the long-standing convention about speculating about sanctions and proscriptions, but I absolutely take the points she has made about ensuring that the response we take here in the UK and, indeed, in conjunction with our international partners sends an incredibly clear message to the regime that these actions are unacceptable and will be responded to each and every time they take place. With regard to the actions that we take domestically here in the UK, I can assure her that we work closely with our Home Office colleagues on our collective response.
Question
The SNP utterly condemns the execution of Alireza Akbari in the strongest possible terms, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. Once again, this execution highlights the serious injustice and failings of the Iranian judicial system. The Foreign Secretary’s decision to sanction Iran’s prosecutor is welcome, but as we have been calling for many times, I urge the Foreign Secretary again to go further and to take forward the formal proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. What are the Government doing to make it a reality? Does the Secretary of State know just how many dual UK-Iranian nationals are detained in Iran?
Minister reply
I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we work tirelessly to support the release of British dual nationals held in detention in Iran. Our consular team supports their families.
Question
It is a terrible day when we see the execution of a British subject. Some broadcast media have said that the decision by the Iranian regime to execute this individual came as a response to the repeated calls for proscription of the IRGC in a debate last week. Contrary to that, broadcast media not only showed an interview with his family, but also broadcast his comments about his torture by this vile regime. Does that show the Secretary of State, as it does me, the power of the media broadcast? Will he ensure that the funding of BBC Persian radio will continue to ensure that the people of Iran can hear the truth and one day oversee the downfall of this vile regime?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises an incredibly important point about our ability to project our values into Iran. The fact that millions of Iranians are protesting against their own Government shows that many people in Iran share our values and are deeply opposed to the regime that oppresses them.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
Mr Akbari was my constituent and I offer my sympathies to his family here and abroad. His daughter asked me to raise a further distressing matter with the Foreign Secretary. The regime refuses to release Mr Akbari’s body or to allow burial in the place chosen by him, and has made threats to destroy his body unless the family co-operate with its instructions. Will the Foreign Secretary meet me and the family in the UK and do what the Government can to ensure that in death, if not in life, Mr Akbari is treated with dignity and respect?
Minister reply
The points raised fill us all, I am sure, with revulsion; we will continue to support the family in whatever way we can. He is absolutely right to call on the regime to treat Mr Akbari in death with the deference and respect that is legitimate.
Question
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke eloquently about the brutal hostility that the regime in Tehran is visiting not only on its own citizens, but Ukraine through its support for Russia, on neighbouring countries in the middle east, and, of course, on a UK passport holder through his execution. Does that not now mean that we should proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and review the UK’s involvement in the Iran nuclear agreement?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises incredibly important points. We will continue to work with our friends and allies to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
Mr Akbari’s judicial murder is particularly poignant for us because he was a dual national, but all the murders committed by the Iranian Government over the last few days and weeks prove that they give a new meaning to the term 'criminal justice system'—more criminal than justice. I worry, however, that the Secretary of State is always reluctant to talk about further sanctions. Government Ministers invented the rule that they are not allowed to talk about them at the Dispatch Box because it is a bit inconvenient for them, but is it not time that we had a proper parliamentary process for determining some sanctions?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman speaks with great passion on this. I know that he takes a personal interest in the use of sanctions, and although I understand that there is a huge amount of embedded experience in the House, I think that the job of the Government is to govern and the job of this House is to scrutinise the Government.
Question
The execution of Alireza Akbari was a hideous act. It is clear that the Iranian regime will stop at nothing in its desire to repress its people, whether that is through the arrest, torture or indeed murder of innocent citizens, many of whom are women. Many colleagues across the House have called for the IRGC to be proscribed, and I would like to add my name to that list. I would also urge the Foreign Secretary to continue working with our allies to try to get a global consensus on the issue.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend highlights something we should all consider: that the actions of the Iranian regime are a display of weakness, not strength.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
The execution of Alireza Akbari is horrendous. While the Foreign Secretary is considering proscription and sanctions, what consideration have the Government given to auditing assets of those sanctioned, particularly family members resident in the UK?
Minister reply
We will examine ways of ensuring our sanctions are most effective and work internationally with allies to impose them.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement, express sympathy to Mr Akbari’s family, remind that Iran carries out second highest number of executions worldwide and recommend reading Hansard report from last Thursday's debate.
Minister reply
We will continue to work cross-Department and internationally on most effective ways of curtailing Iran's malign activity.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Question
Send condolences to Mr Akbari’s family, question the use of death penalty and practices of torture, solitary confinement. Calls for UK Government to work with international bodies to investigate allegations of crimes under international law.
Minister reply
We will not rest until this regime is held to account for brutality and atrocities in close co-operation with our friends internationally.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Question
Southampton has a significant Anglo-Iranian community who want proscription of the IRGC and more from Government to ensure their safety.
Minister reply
We will continue working cross-Department and across Whitehall to ensure those Iranians who have chosen UK as home feel safe.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Question
Thank Foreign Secretary for statement, but regime does such things because it can. Questions view on joint comprehensive plan of action process.
Minister reply
Negotiations on JCPOA have not progressed and the ball is in court of Iranians who must fundamentally change their behaviour.
Maldon
Question
My hon. Friend highlights threats against journalists working for Iran International whose HQ is under permanent armed police guard.
Minister reply
We will continue to support free expression of brave Iranian voices criticising the regime.
Anna McMorrin
Lab
Cardiff North
Question
Heart goes out to family and friends of Mr Akbari, calls for proscription of IRGC.
Minister reply
Consulting with HM ambassador in Tehran; working across Government to ensure robust response.
Question
Will discuss execution of Mr Akbari on visit to Washington this week and seek to co-ordinate strongest response.
Minister reply
Addressing our response with American and Canadian counterparts later this week; reflecting strength of feeling in conversations.
Question
Vile Iranian regime operating through proxies in UK, concern raised about Maida Vale Islamic community centre where counter-protests occur.
Minister reply
Department and Home Office work closely on such issues to protect local communities including diverse Muslim communities.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent West
Question
Does the Foreign Secretary believe that it is helpful for Members of Parliament to adopt individual people on death row in Iran to publicise their cases and put maximum pressure on the regime?
Minister reply
I am grateful to raise that particular case. The Iranian regime hates criticism, so raising these cases internationally highlights solidarity with those standing up against the brutality of the Government.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Why is the Secretary of State delaying proscribing the regime in Iran and will he lead a discussion in the UN to end state-authorised death across the world?
Minister reply
The UK opposes the death penalty in all respects. We have communicated this internationally, and our position will not change. We will continue to highlight opposition to the death penalty whenever we can.
Question
Does the Foreign Secretary have concerns that ending talks on the nuclear deal could see Iran speed up uranium enrichment or pull out of the treaty altogether?
Minister reply
The international community has given Iran an opportunity to change, but it has not grasped it. If Iran wants sanctions lifted, it must fundamentally change its behaviour.
Shadow Comment
Bambos Charalambous
Shadow Comment
The execution of Alireza Akbari is a barbaric act of politically motivated murder by the Iranian regime. It is an attempt to silence dissent and intimidate ordinary people. Mr Akbari's execution sends a direct message to the British Government. The opposition calls for stronger measures, including proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, either through existing processes or amendments to create new processes for hostile state actors. Further action must be taken to protect British Iranians in both Iran and the UK from threats by the regime.
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