Oral Answers to Questions

John Howell Excerpts

Tuesday 29th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

12. What recent reports his Department has received on child executions in Iran.

[The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Hugh Robertson)]

We receive regular reports on the human rights situation in Iran, including information about executions. Executions for crimes committed by people under the age of 18 are a breach of international law, and the UK opposes the use of the death penalty as a matter of principle.

[John Howell]

According to leading human rights groups, Iran has the shameful record of being the world’s largest executioner of juvenile offenders. What representations can the Government make to ensure that that barbaric practice ends, in accordance with the country’s obligations under the convention on the rights of the child?

[Hugh Robertson]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. This country has, under the EU sanctions regime, helped designate over 80 human rights violators in Iran, and, of course, helped establish the UN special rapporteur on Iran’s human rights and lobbied for his mandate to be renewed at the March UN human rights council.