Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 67
67
Over the course of millennia, Persians have made significant contributions regionally and internationally to science,...
Conclusion
Over the course of millennia, Persians have made significant contributions regionally and internationally to science, culture, poetry, maths and philosophy. The UK’s difficult relationship with the Islamic Republic has overshadowed its much longer relationship with Persia and the common ground values Britons share with Iranians. While it remains the right of the Iranian people to determine how they are governed, it equally remains the responsibility of the UK to call the Iranian State out for its human rights abuses where it falls short of international expectations.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We share the Committee’s views on the contribution of Iranians throughout world history in the fields of science, culture, poetry, maths and philosophy. The Iranian people have the right to determine how they are governed, and we agree that the UK has a responsibility to call out the Iranian State for its human rights violations and to call for change. The UK is strongly committed to holding Iran to account on a wide range of human rights issues. In the last few months, for example, we have: • In September’s Human Rights Council, joined 46 other states in co-signing a statement that set out our deep concern about persistent human rights violations in Iran, and called for perpetrators to be held accountable. • Along with French and German Foreign Ministers, delivered a joint letter to Foreign Minister Zarif, expressing our deep concern at the grave human rights violations inside Iran, and drew particular attention to the plight of those arbitrarily detained. • Continue to co-sponsor the annual UN Third Committee resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran. In October, made a national statement at the UN Third Committee, focused particularly on our concerns around media freedom and freedom of religion or belief. • On 20 November, published an update on the human rights situation in the FCDO’s 30 human rights priority countries, which included our bleak assessment that Iran’s record was an area of deterioration. We will continue to hold Iran to account on a wide range of human rights issues, by using our membership of the Human Rights Council, through contact with the Iranian government, and internationally at the UN and with our likeminded partners.