Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Monday, 18 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 November 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 November 2004 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 the Government has made to the government of Iran about the sentence of death by stoning given to 13 year old Zhila Izadi; and if he will make a statement. (Holding answer 25 October 2004).

Answer: Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the government of Iran about the sentence of death by stoning given to 13 year old Zhila Izadi; and if he will make a statement. [193061] Mr. Rammell: [holding answer 25 October 2004]: We have made clear to the Iranian authorities our deep concern at media reports that Ms Izadi has been sentenced to death by stoning, including by my noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean to the Iranian Ambassador in London. The Iranian authorities have indicated to us that Ms Izadi will not be executed, and that she, and her brother, have been transferred to a welfare organisation. With our strong support, the use of the death penalty has been an important theme of the EU/Iran Human Rights Dialogue, including the most recent round in June.

Secondary information