The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has this week confirmed that the UK is determined to maintain international pressure on Iran regarding the country’s record on human rights.
In a letter to Iain Stewart, Conservative Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes South, Alistair Burt, Minister of State with responsibility for the Middle East, expressed his concern about “reports which suggest a rise in executions in Iran on charges of homosexual activity”.
Mr Burt stressed that the Foreign Office is seeking further information on cases already raised with the Iranian Embassy in London, stating that “such punishment is unacceptable”.
The Foreign Office also pointed out that in December, the UK Government worked to secure firm international condemnation of Iran’s human rights record through a United Nations resolution passed by nearly eighty countries from all continents. This resolution illustrated the level of international concern, being passed with “the largest positive vote for eight years”.
In his letter, Mr Burt stated:
“The numerous human rights violations in Iran are disturbing and the UK is determined to maintain international pressure on Iran to both address its deteriorating human rights record and to comply with its human rights obligations under international law."
Cllr Emma Warman, Deputy Chairman of LGBTory, the Conservative LGBT group, commented:
“We warmly welcome this action by the Conservative-led Government. The treatment of LGBT people in Iran is appalling. It is imperative that the UK continues to show the way in pressuring Iran and other countries which continue to have such barbaric laws on homosexuality.”