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Written Question
Iran: Human Rights
Monday 29th April 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on (a) the treatment of women, (b) freedom of expression and (c) other human rights issues.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to work with international partners to hold Iran accountable for its unacceptable human rights record. At the 55th Human Rights Council session, the UK was on the core group for the Iran human rights resolution, which successfully renewed the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran human rights, enabling continued monitoring of abuses against women and girls and religious and ethnic minorities, as well as freedom of expression. We continue to engage with UK-based and international organisations on human rights, including Iranian diaspora organisations. In October 2023, the former Foreign Secretary and Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon hosted a roundtable with women's rights activists, joining them publicly in calling for an end to impunity and violence. Since October 2022, we have sanctioned 94 individuals or entities for human rights abuses, including senior decision makers responsible for enforcing Iran's mandatory hijab law. We continually assess our human rights sanctions regime, and will make further designations where we have the evidence to do so. We will continue to raise human rights issues with the Iranian Government.


Written Question
Iran: Human Rights
Monday 29th April 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what assessment he has made of the impact of sanctions on Iran's human rights (a) policies and (b) practices.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to work with international partners to hold Iran accountable for its unacceptable human rights record. At the 55th Human Rights Council session, the UK was on the core group for the Iran human rights resolution, which successfully renewed the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran human rights, enabling continued monitoring of abuses against women and girls and religious and ethnic minorities, as well as freedom of expression. We continue to engage with UK-based and international organisations on human rights, including Iranian diaspora organisations. In October 2023, the former Foreign Secretary and Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon hosted a roundtable with women's rights activists, joining them publicly in calling for an end to impunity and violence. Since October 2022, we have sanctioned 94 individuals or entities for human rights abuses, including senior decision makers responsible for enforcing Iran's mandatory hijab law. We continually assess our human rights sanctions regime, and will make further designations where we have the evidence to do so. We will continue to raise human rights issues with the Iranian Government.


Written Question
Iran: Human Rights
Monday 29th April 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to tackle human rights violations in Iran (a) relating to recent protests and (b) generally.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to work with international partners to hold Iran accountable for its unacceptable human rights record. At the 55th Human Rights Council session, the UK was on the core group for the Iran human rights resolution, which successfully renewed the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran human rights, enabling continued monitoring of abuses against women and girls and religious and ethnic minorities, as well as freedom of expression. We continue to engage with UK-based and international organisations on human rights, including Iranian diaspora organisations. In October 2023, the former Foreign Secretary and Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon hosted a roundtable with women's rights activists, joining them publicly in calling for an end to impunity and violence. Since October 2022, we have sanctioned 94 individuals or entities for human rights abuses, including senior decision makers responsible for enforcing Iran's mandatory hijab law. We continually assess our human rights sanctions regime, and will make further designations where we have the evidence to do so. We will continue to raise human rights issues with the Iranian Government.


Written Question
Iran: Human Rights
Monday 29th April 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what steps his Department is taking to monitor (a) the enforcement of dress codes and (b) other human rights abuses in Iran.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to work with international partners to hold Iran accountable for its unacceptable human rights record. At the 55th Human Rights Council session, the UK was on the core group for the Iran human rights resolution, which successfully renewed the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran human rights, enabling continued monitoring of abuses against women and girls and religious and ethnic minorities, as well as freedom of expression. We continue to engage with UK-based and international organisations on human rights, including Iranian diaspora organisations. In October 2023, the former Foreign Secretary and Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon hosted a roundtable with women's rights activists, joining them publicly in calling for an end to impunity and violence. Since October 2022, we have sanctioned 94 individuals or entities for human rights abuses, including senior decision makers responsible for enforcing Iran's mandatory hijab law. We continually assess our human rights sanctions regime, and will make further designations where we have the evidence to do so. We will continue to raise human rights issues with the Iranian Government.


Parliamentary Research
Disinformation: sources, spread and impact - POST-PN-0719
Apr. 26 2024

Found: Policy consideration s include protecting freedom of expression, ensuring access to reliable information


Bill Documents
26 Apr 2024 - Amendment Paper
HL Bill 57-III Third marshalled list for Report
Victims and Prisoners Bill 2022-23

Found: Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36) 27 In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information


Non-Departmental Publication (Guidance and Regulation)
Education and Skills Funding Agency

Apr. 25 2024

Source Page: ESFA funding agreements and contracts 2024 to 2025
Document: (PDF)

Found: 14 6 CHANGE OF CONTROL AND CHANGE IN NAME ................................ .............. 14 7 FREEDOM


Grand Committee
Pakistan: UK Aid - Thu 25 Apr 2024
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Mentions:
1: Lord Alton of Liverpool (XB - Life peer) Although religious minorities comprise less than 5% of the total population, the percentage of religious - Speech Link
2: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer) communities in Pakistan and cement the UK’s leadership role in our strong belief and commitment to freedom - Speech Link
3: Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab - Life peer) He has heard me say many times that violations of freedom of religion or belief do not happen in isolation - Speech Link


Select Committee
Third Special Report - Ofsted’s work with schools: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report

Special Report Apr. 25 2024

Committee: Education Committee (Department: Department for Education)

Found: autonomy, exemplified by our academies programme, but widely evident beyond it, with schools having the freedom


Scottish Government Publication (FOI/EIR release)
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate

Apr. 24 2024

Source Page: The Scottish Governments funding to Muslim and Christian organisations and countries: FOI release
Document: The Scottish Governments funding to Muslim and Christian organisations and countries: FOI release (webpage)

Found: provided information where it appears that the organisation may be connected to Muslim &/or Christian Religious