To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of freedom of (a) religion and belief and (b) association in Iran; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
16 December 2016
The human rights situation in Iran remains of serious concern. Members of religious minorities continue to face severe restrictions. The same is true for freedom of association. The latest report of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran highlights the insufficient protections on the independence of political, professional and labour groups and in particular notes serious concern regarding the targeting, arrest and prosecution of labour union activists.
The UK calls on Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to allow rights and freedoms to which all its citizens are entitled.