Iran: Protests

Lord Hussain Excerpts

Monday 12th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We stand proudly for freedom and human rights for the people of Iran, as the noble Lord suggests we should. The snap-back measures that he refers to took place as a last resort, and it would be very good for the people of Iran, and for regional and global stability, if we were able to have a more productive and positive relationship with a Government in Iran who represent the wishes of their people.

[Lord Hussain (LD)]

My Lords—

[Lord Swire (Con)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

We will hear from the Lib Dem Benches next.

[Lord Hussain (LD)]

My Lords, I agree with all those who have condemned the killing of innocent protesters in Iran, but will the Minister agree that the Iranian nation is very resilient? We have seen that the Iranian public know how to change their Governments. We saw the end of the King of Iran’s time, when the protesters were on the roads in their tens of thousands, and in the end they forced the King to leave the country. Whether we liked it or not, there was a change of Government. Similarly, now, when the people of Iran have had enough of this regime and want a change, they are capable of changing their Government on their own, and they do not need external invasion or plans for a change of regime to be practised in their country.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The noble Lord speaks from his own perspective of the people of Iran and their capability of changing the regime in their country. All I would say is that much has changed in the decades since the events that he alludes to. I hope that the people of Iran, through their own voice, their own protests and the things that they are able to do themselves, are able, sooner rather than later, to bring about a Government who represent them so that they are able to live in freedom and to live their lives in the way that we are all able to.