Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Iran: Human Rights

Tuesday 21 April 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Department has sanctioned Iranian decision makers and members of the IRGC for human rights violations.
  • Foreign Secretary expressed abhorrence towards killings, violence, and repression in Iran to Iran's Foreign Minister.
  • UK Government has repeatedly stated Lindsay and Craig Foreman's innocence and raised their case with Iranian representatives.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Barros-Curtis Lab Cardiff West
Foreign Affairs
Context

In January, there was a brutal crackdown on civilian protests in Iran leading to over 30,000 deaths and thousands of arrests. The UN Human Rights Council reported that these actions may amount to crimes against humanity.

Question

What recent assessment has the Department made of the human rights situation in Iran? I referenced January's crackdown where over 30,000 people were reportedly killed and thousands arrested during protests. These abuses continue with impunity. What steps are being taken by my hon. Friend and the Foreign Office to hold Iran accountable and ensure any negotiated settlement includes enforceable commitments to end such atrocities?

Answer from Hamish Falconer

We have sanctioned senior Iranian decision makers and members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for their rights violations. On January 12th, the Foreign Secretary spoke with Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi about our abhorrence towards killings, violence, and repression in Iran, urging a change in course. We continue to support negotiations between the US and Iran.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps being taken to ensure enforceable commitments are not clearly detailed.

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Q2 Alex Barros-Curtis Lab Cardiff West
Foreign Affairs
Context

In January, there was a brutal crackdown on civilian protests in Iran leading to over 30,000 deaths and thousands of arrests. The UN Human Rights Council reported that these actions may amount to crimes against humanity.

Question

What recent assessment has the Department made of the human rights situation in Iran? I referenced January's crackdown where over 30,000 people were reportedly killed and thousands arrested during protests. These abuses continue with impunity. What steps are being taken by my hon. Friend and the Foreign Office to hold Iran accountable and ensure any negotiated settlement includes enforceable commitments to end such atrocities?

Answer from Hamish Falconer

We have sanctioned senior Iranian decision makers and members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for their rights violations. On January 12th, the Foreign Secretary spoke with Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi about our abhorrence towards killings, violence, and repression in Iran, urging a change in course. We continue to support negotiations between the US and Iran.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps being taken to ensure enforceable commitments are not clearly detailed.

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Q3 Iain Duncan Smith Con Chingford and Woodford Green
Foreign Affairs
Context

Lindsay and Craig Foreman are detained and being tortured in Iran. Their family approached the MP for support.

Question

Lindsay and Craig Foreman are incarcerated in Iran under brutal circumstances, not as spies but innocent tourists. Are the Government publicly stating their innocence? Will they formally declare the detention arbitrary? What else can be done to draw attention to this injustice?

Answer from Hamish Falconer

I have been in regular contact with the family of the Foremans. This is a terrible case, and it is absolutely obvious that they are innocent tourists—that is clear to all concerned. We have made that point repeatedly to the Iranian regime, and I have raised it countless times with Iranian representatives, as the Foreign Secretary has done with her counterparts. We will continue to pursue this case; it is an injustice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a formal declaration of arbitrary detention was not addressed.

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Q4 Priti Patel Con Witham
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

The Iranian regime has murdered tens of thousands of its citizens, sponsors terrorism globally, and is responsible for antisemitic activities. Recent attacks on Jewish sites in London have raised concerns about Iran's involvement.

Question

Why did the Government not stop Iran from being appointed to prominent positions in the United Nations Economic and Social Council? If Iran is found behind recent attacks on Jewish sites in London, will the Government move forward with proscribing the IRGC and acting against UK financial institutions involved?

Answer from Hamish Falconer

The appointment of Iran to the United Nations Economic and Social Council was made by an Asia-Pacific committee through an automaticity process, not a vote. The UK did not have the option to block this decision. However, the Foreign Secretary raised concerns about it at the UN. The UK has sanctioned the entirety of the IRGC and imposed over 550 sanctions against Iran for its malign activities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding financial institutions funding state-sponsored terrorism was not addressed.

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