Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Paragraph: 45
Iran will choose to uphold those parts of international law which suit the tenets or...
Conclusion
Iran will choose to uphold those parts of international law which suit the tenets or strategic goals of the Islamic Republic while disregarding the remainder, often at the expense of the Iranian people. The FCDO has made commendable efforts to tackle Iran’s human rights abuses and raise the plight of victims of Iranian oppression through international fora. These efforts should be complemented through direct diplomacy with President Rouhani to encourage him to place human rights prominently on his domestic agenda. In particular, the freedom of BBC Persian staff to provide free quality journalism is of vital importance to Persian speakers throughout the region and should be prioritised.
Paragraph Reference:
45
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We welcome the Committee’s recognition of the FCDO’s work to address human rights issues in Iran. We will continue to make clear to the Iranians our concerns at their persistent violations of human rights, and will keep up the pressure, including through our engagement with Iran’s president. We will continue to defend media freedom, including BBC Persian’s editorial independence, in the course of this engagement.