Written question asked by Tulip Siddiq (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 December 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 January 2023. It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Monday, 23 January 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Iran: Demonstrations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to support protestors in Iran at risk of execution.

Answer: The use of the death penalty against protestors standing up for their basic human rights is abhorrent. The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances. On 9 January the Foreign Secretary summoned Iran's most senior diplomat in the UK to condemn these executions in the strongest terms. We have repeatedly delivered the same message to the regime through our ambassador in Tehran, and in London - including when Lord Ahmad spoke to the Chargé d'Affaires on 20 December to protest against the death sentences. On 9 December we sanctioned 10 officials connected to Iran's judicial and prison systems, including six linked to the Revolutionary Courts responsible for protesters' egregious sentences. We will continue to press Iranian regime to end its appalling use of the death penalty as a tool to stifle dissent.

Secondary information