Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the reported flogging of Roya Heshmati in Iran; and whether he has had discussions with his Iranian counterpart on the matter.

The FCDO is aware of Roya Heshmati's case, which is indicative of the persecution women continue to face in Iran. Since October 2022, we have sanctioned 94 individuals or entities for human rights abuses, including senior decision makers responsible for Iran's oppressive hijab law. Last year, the Foreign Secretary hosted a roundtable with Iranian women's rights defenders, joining them in calling for change. We will continue to raise women and girls' rights issues at all appropriate opportunities with the Iranian Government.