British Prisoners in Iran
Debate between Tulip Siddiq and Alistair Carmichael(7 years, 4 months ago)
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Tulip Siddiq
I am highlighting just one case, but there are many more involving people with dual nationalities. At the end of the day, they are still British citizens, and we have to give them the respect and time they deserve.
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)
Will the hon. Lady give way?
Tulip Siddiq
Just before I do, I would like to ask the Minister a few questions, which I hope he will answer in his speech. First, it remains incomprehensible that our Government are yet to call for Nazanin’s release, and that they have failed to join the UN in maintaining her innocence. As I said, 261 MPs and peers signed a letter seeking the release of Nazanin, Kamal Foroughi and Roya Nobakht. Will the Government finally join them today?
Mr Carmichael
The hon. Lady is making a compelling case. It is perhaps unsurprising that Iran is not receptive to the United Kingdom Government’s overtures, but may I remind her and the Minister that we have many allies in the region, and that we could be doing more to get them to assist us in making representations to Iran in that regard?
Tulip Siddiq
This is a matter of life and death, and we should be relying on any allies and friends we have in the region to try to get our prisoners of conscience released.