Written question asked by Theresa Villiers (Conservative) on Monday, 13 May 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 May 2024 (named day). It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 May 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Toomaj Salehi

Question: To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, if he will make representations to his Iranian counter-part on stopping the execution of Toomaj Salehi.

Answer: The UK condemns the death sentence of prominent and fearless artist Toomaj Salehi. On May 8 the UK Human Rights Ambassador to the UN in Geneva signed a joint statement calling for Salehi's immediate release and repeating our principled opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances. We have sanctioned 94 Iranian individuals or entities for human rights violations since September 2022, including the Prosecutor General and Deputy Prosecutor General responsible for Iran's application of the death penalty. We continue to call for Mr Salehi's release, and the release of all those who are unjustly detained by the Iranian regime.

Secondary information