David Amess MP questions Foreign Office on Iranian human rights record

David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West, this week questioned the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the political situation in Iran. Speaking in the FCO question session on Tuesday he urged the Minister tell the House of Commons what specific pressure is being put on the Iranian regime to improve its human rights record.

The Minister confirmed that there has been a deterioration in internal human rights in spite of diplomatic efforts, with the Iranian authorities continuing to suppress legitimate protest, restrict civil liberties and threaten violence, even execution, to silence dissent.  The Minister continued by saying that Iran has failed to co-operate in meeting its responsibilities under international obligations with regard to its nuclear weapons capacity. The government now believes that the only way forward is to consider tougher economic sanctions against Iran.