Written question asked by Win Griffiths (Labour) on Thursday, 18 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2002. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 July 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Iran on the discrimination against women set out in child custody laws reported on by the UN special representative for Human Rights in Iran in the report to the UN Human Rights Commission earlier this year.

Answer: Mr. Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran on the discrimination against women set out in child custody laws reported on by the UN special representative for Human Rights in Iran in the report to the UN Human Rights Commission earlier this year. [72170] Mr. Mike O'Brien: We have not made any specific representations on this subject. But the UK plays a leading role in promoting and protecting the rights of women. The most recent UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution on Human Rights in Iran, which the UK co-sponsored as a member of the EU, noted "systematic discrimination against women and girls in law and in practice". It called upon the Government of Iran to "take further measures to ensure full and equal enjoyment by women and girls of their human rights". We will continue to monitor developments in this area.

Secondary information