Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 56
56
In its written evidence, the FCDO made clear that the strategies employed to secure the...
Conclusion
In its written evidence, the FCDO made clear that the strategies employed to secure the release of detained nationals vary by case.127 The intricacies of the negotiations and representations conducted by the FCDO in the pursuit of justice for detainees are rightly withheld from public consumption, but the FCDO noted that it makes requests for consular access to detained nationals where it is not automatically provided, such as with dual nationals.128 Another tactic has been to accord the detainee diplomatic protection, 122 Q22 [Charlie Loudon] 123 Q22 [Charlie Loudon] 124 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Asia, 19 November 2020 125 Review of Complex Consular Cases, House of Commons Library 126 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Asia, 19 November 2020 127 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UKI0031), para 18 128 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UKI0031), para 18 22 No prosperity without justice: the UK’s relationship with Iran although this has been dismissed by Iran when used for dual nationals.129130 Tulip Siddiq MP noted that despite the FCDO’s efforts to negotiate the release of Nazanin Zaghari- Ratcliffe, no real progress was made until covid-19 enabled her to be released on furlough.131 The limited range of options available was highlighted in October 2019 by Dr Andrew Murrison, the then Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, who stated: […] it is a sad fact that the tools in our toolbox are limited. What we can do is continue to make it clear to our interlocutors that this is not acceptable, right or proper, and that if Iran wants to restore its reputation, the early release of Nazanin and other dual nationals will go a very long way.132
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We note the Committee’s views with regard to the efficacy of UK consular policy in Iran and agree fully that the Iranian government should immediately and unconditionally release all arbitrarily detained dual British nationals. We have been clear that their detention is entirely unacceptable and unjustified. We agree on the importance of working with allies and like-minded partners. We will continue to discuss with them how best we can raise cases of arbitrary detention, to reinforce our concerns and impact. It is important that we act in a way we judge most likely to be in best interests of each of our detainees, and we are committed to ensuring we do everything we can to ensure they are released to be reunited with their families. Iran does not recognise dual nationality nor grant consular access to our dual British national detainees. We have repeatedly pressed, and will continue to press, for exceptional consular access and appropriate medical care.