Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Iran

Tuesday 8 November 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Cat Smith questioned the implications of recent protests in Iran for UK policies, highlighting the tragic loss of life due to the regime's actions.
  • Bob Blackman inquired about the extent of actions required before the UK proscribes the IRGC entirely, reflecting concerns about regional destabilization.
  • Rushanara Ali proposed supporting measures to expel Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women in response to brutal attacks, which the Minister committed to raising with Lord Ahmad.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises due to the death of Mahsa Amini which has led to widespread protests in Iran, drawing international attention.

Question

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the recent protests in Iran?

Answer from David Rutley

The death of Mahsa Amini and of all those who have lost their lives standing up to the authorities is a tragedy that shows the regime's shocking disregard for the rights of the Iranian people. We have made our views clear to Iran in the strongest possible terms. We have robustly condemned Iran's actions, including at the UN Human Rights Council, and we have sanctioned the morality police and seven other officials responsible for human rights violations.

Answered
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Q2 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Context

Thousands of Iranians have been arrested for protesting, with many sentenced to death. British-Iranians in the UK are concerned about threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Question

What more does the IRGC have to do before we proscribe it in its entirety?

Answer from David Rutley

I know that my hon. Friend feels very strongly about these issues and has raised them at the highest level with FCDO Ministers. We have been clear about our concerns about the IRGC's continued destabilising activity throughout the region. The UK maintains a range of sanctions that work to constrain that destabilising activity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether the entire IRGC will be proscribed due to their actions against protesters

How: We Do Not Routinely Comment On Whether An Organisation Is Or Is Not Under Consideration For Proscription.

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Q3 Rushanara Ali Lab Bethnal Green and Stepney
Context

Iran Human Rights estimates over 300 people, including children, have been killed in the protests. The protesters' demands include freedom for women.

Question

In the light of these brutal attacks, will the UK Government support measures to expel Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women?

Answer from David Rutley

The hon. Member has made some important points about the grassroots nature of the protests. As I have said, we are taking strong action against the Iranians, but I will raise her points specifically with Lord Ahmad, the Minister for the Middle East.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether the UK will support measures to expel Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women

How: We Have Taken Strong Action But No Specific Commitment Provided

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Q4 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Iranian refugees in the UK have shared videos of protests and testimonies about daily risks to fundamental rights.

Question

Does the Minister accept that the UK has a responsibility to support these remarkable women, and can he explain how the UK intends to do so?

Answer from David Rutley

They are indeed remarkable women, and we want to underline the fact that these are grassroots protests in Iran. We have taken strong action: we have sanctioned the morality police in its entirety, as well as both its chief and the head of the Tehran division.

Partly answered

Not addressed: How specifically the UK intends to support Iranian refugees and asylum seekers

How: We Do Not Speculate On Future Sanctions Designations.

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