Iran-Israel Update Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Iran-Israel Update

Anna Firth Excerpts
Monday 15th April 2024

(8 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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We have called for an immediate humanitarian pause in Gaza, so that hostages can be released and aid can go in, and for that to form the basis of a more lasting and sustainable ceasefire.

Anna Firth Portrait Anna Firth (Southend West) (Con)
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I thank the Prime Minister for his strong international leadership in this area, and for his calls for restraint. He will agree that Iran is the dangerous and destabilising player in this region, whether by itself directly or through its proxies. It is also a despotic, medieval regime. There were 853 executions last year—an eight-year high—including 22 women. As the Prime Minister works urgently with the G7, please will he confirm that no reasonable option should be off the table, including the proscription of the IRGC?

Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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Iran’s human rights record remains completely unacceptable. We have sanctioned almost 100 entities and individuals specifically for human rights violations. For example, we have condemned Iran’s surging use of the death penalty, and at the 78th UN General Assembly, we co-sponsored the Iran human rights resolution calling for Iran to issue a moratorium on executions.