To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 June 2023 to Question 188913 on Members: Correspondence, whether he has contacted Iran’s Chargé d'Affaires on the impending execution of Mohmmad Ghobadloo in Iran; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
4 September 2023
The UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances in Iran. HMG weighs lobbying on individual cases extremely carefully because we recognise that the UK raising specific individuals by name can put them at greater risk.
In a flawed judicial system, even false accusations of "collaboration with hostile foreign governments" can lead to significantly worse outcomes. It is imperative that we do not take action which risks harm.
The UK initiated a joint statement at the Human Rights Council in July, signed by 54 countries, which condemned Iran's use of the death penalty. The Foreign Secretary has summoned Iran's Chargé d'Affaires twice to express our opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.
The UK has implemented nine rounds of human rights sanctions on Iran, including on those responsible for overseeing the death penalty. The most recent round was on 6 July.