Numerous Conservative MPs and Lords this week condemned the Iranian regime’s treatment of imprisoned British dual nationals and called on the UK to take further action, in an Urgent Question in Parliament this week.
The UQ on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was asked by Labour MP Tulip Siddiq.
In the House of Lords, CFI Honorary President Lord Polak condemned the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp’s “shameful harassment” of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and asks FCDO Minister “what possible further destabilising activities the regime and the IRGC can get up to before we act in a tough and appropriate manner?”
CFI Officer Bob Blackman MP underlined that reports of the IRGC’s constant harassment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is “totally and utterly unacceptable” behaviour. He called for the UK to proscribe the IRGC in its entirety “to send the strongest possible signal”.
Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton, Alicia Kearns MP deplored Iran’s violation of the “basic principles of human rights” and “policy of industrialised hostage diplomacy”.
Elliot Colburn MP sought the Minister’s assurance that bringing Iran back into the international fold “is very much dependent on Iran’s compliance with international law, respect for human rights, and ultimately the release of British dual nationals like Nazanin?”
Scott Benton MP called for “new, comprehensive agreement with Iran”, points to “shortcomings” in JCPOA. He said: “As well as destabilising the region and financing global terror, we must not overlook the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses and detention of British citizens”.
Anthony Higginbotham MP pointed to “significant flaws” in the 2015 Nuclear Deal, which has not deterred Iran’s “actions either in the region or with respect to dual nationals”.
Addressing the threat of Iran in the region, CFI Officer Christian Wakeford MP underlined that “UK’s decision to abstain on the UN Security Council Resolution to extend the embargo was regrettable”, and asked the Middle East Minister “how the UK plans to address Iran’s regional aggression”.
Middle East Minister James Cleverly MP emphasised in his response: “We have long been clear about our concerns over Iran’s continued destabilising activity throughout the region including its political, financial and military support for a number of militant and proscribed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen”.
