Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 29 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 31 March 2011. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Monday, 4 April 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iran: Politics and Government

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) reports he has received and (b) representations he has made to the government of Iraq on the treatment of human rights campaigners in Al Sulaimaniyah; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: We do not have any specific information on the treatment of human rights campaigners in Sulaimaniyah. However, we are aware of reports of intimidation and violence being committed against journalists and protestors during recent demonstrations across Iraq, including the Kurdistan region. Following the demonstrations, I released the following statement on 10 March 2011:"““We have been following events in Iraq closely. We are concerned at a number of reports of harassment of protestors, including political groups associated with the protests, and of violence against journalists and media offices across Iraq. We call on the Iraqi and Kurdish authorities to investigate these incidents and to protect the right to freedom of expression and assembly””."Our embassy officials in Baghdad regularly discuss human rights issues with senior members of the Iraqi Government, and raise concerns when appropriate.

Secondary information