Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of harassment of BBC Persian service staff and their families by the Iranian government; and what representations they have made to the Iranian government regarding these reports.

I am aware of recent reports of BBC staff in Iran being harassed and subject to asset freezes and similar forms of mistreatment. These reports are deeply concerning. The UK has repeatedly called on Iran to implement its international obligations to respect the right of freedom of expression, opinion and peaceful assembly, including in cases where journalists are subject to harassment or detention for conducting peaceful activities.