British Citizens Imprisoned Overseas and Coronavirus Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

British Citizens Imprisoned Overseas and Coronavirus

Janet Daby Excerpts
Monday 2nd March 2020

(4 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nigel Adams Portrait Nigel Adams
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As the hon. Lady will appreciate, it is impossible for consular staff to gain access to the prison. We are in contact with Nazanin’s family and the families of other detainees at Evin prison, so we get reports back from the families and they provide incredibly useful intelligence when we are making our representations to Foreign Ministers from Iran.

Janet Daby Portrait Janet Daby (Lewisham East) (Lab)
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Considering the serious nature of the outbreak of coronavirus and the deterioration of the health of my constituent, Mr Ashoori, who will soon turn 66, what will the Government’s response be, should there be a serious risk to his health because of coronavirus and to the health of other British nationals because of this outbreak?

Nigel Adams Portrait Nigel Adams
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I am not sure that I picked up where the hon. Lady’s constituent is imprisoned.

Janet Daby Portrait Janet Daby
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Mr Ashoori is also in prison in Iran.

Nigel Adams Portrait Nigel Adams
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As I mentioned previously, we continue to have dialogue with the Iranian authorities. We have been speaking with them today. Under any international rules system, prisoners should be afforded the best possible treatment. We are in constant contact with the Iranian authorities and I can assure the hon. Lady that her constituent will be getting equal attention in terms of our consular efforts.