[{"topic":"Iran","id":"44036","proposer":"14142","edm":"2929","session":"2010-12","title":"Treatment Of Youcef Nadarkhani","text":"That this House deplores the death sentence for apostasy passed by Iranian courts on the Iranian Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in 2010; further deplores that sentence's confirmation by the Iranian Supreme Court in September 2011; notes with alarm reports that Nadarkhani's case has been sent to the implementation department of the Iranian justice system, which may suggest that Nadarkhani is at imminent risk of execution; praises the efforts of various parties, including the Foreign Secretary, Brazilian Senator Marcelo Crivella, the American Center for Law and Justice, Harris Zafar of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the US, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner, the Slavic Centre for Law and Justice in Russia and the Save Youcef Nadarkhani from Execution Facebook page for their efforts to protect Nadarkhani; further deplores the persecution of Christian converts, Baha'is and atheists in Iran; further deplores all persecution of individuals for their faith or absence thereof in all countries where such persecution occurs; and calls on the Iranian state to immediately lift the sentence and release Pastor Nadarkhani.","date":"2012-03-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"43737","proposer":"10133","edm":"2640","session":"2010-12","title":"Dialogue With Iran","text":"That this House is deeply concerned at the prospect of war with Iran; is appalled at the naval military build-up in the Persian Gulf and the danger that this may spark a conflict with enormous consequences and loss of life; calls for renewed dialogue with Iran, an end to overt and covert military threats and support for a nuclear-free Middle East as called for by the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference; and welcomes the Stop the War demonstration outside the US Embassy on 28 January 2012 as an opportunity for ordinary people to express their thirst for peace.","date":"2012-01-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"43704","proposer":"10063","edm":"2608","session":"2010-12","title":"Can You Solve This -\u0000 Campaign On Iranian Students","text":"That this House notes the Can You Solve This campaign launched by students at 26 university campuses across the UK to date; further notes this campaign highlights the plight of Iranian students denied access to higher education on grounds of their beliefs; calls for an immediate end to the unjust and oppressive practices of the Islamic Republic of Iran in denying education to young people for ideological reasons; and further calls on the Government to join the thousands of students who have already spoken up on this issue by using the full range of bi-lateral and multilateral diplomatic channels at their disposal to press the Iranian authorities to end their practices of denying access to university or expelling from university young Iranian citizens on the grounds of their religious, political or social beliefs.","date":"2012-01-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"43692","proposer":"24784","edm":"2596","session":"2010-12","title":"Iranian Diplomatic Defections","text":"That this House notes that several senior diplomats have defected from the Iranian foreign service in revulsion at the actions of the Tehran regime; further notes that in so doing they are at risk of lethal reprisals against them and their families from the Iranian regime and that they have suffered an immediate loss of income; is deeply concerned that lack of support for these brave people will deter possibly many others in the Iranian diplomatic service from following their example; believes that those who have already defected or resigned their posts should be treated much better and that this could turn a trickle of defections into a flood that would illustrate the regime's growing lack of legitimacy with its own people as well as provide very useful information about how the Iranian regime operates which could accelerate the process whereby the Iranian people can change their regime; further believes that this would enable the Iranian people to proceed to peaceful democratic change that could see the reintegration of Iran into the international community and the resolution of key issues of concern to the UN and others such as the current regime's desire to become an armed nuclear power; and urges the Government to take up the issue of how defecting diplomats are treated with its counterparts in relevant countries.","date":"2012-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"43679","proposer":"11489","edm":"2583","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Iran (No. 2)","text":"That this House is concerned by the practice of execution by stoning in Iran; notes that stoning is a particularly repugnant and cruel form of execution; is concerned that stoning is mandatory under the Iranian Penal Code for the offence of `adultery while married' for both men and women; is alarmed that since 2002 six people that Amnesty International is aware of have been executed by stoning and at least14 people are presently at risk of execution by stoning; commends Amnesty International's campaign which seeks to end this appalling practice; is encouraged that the Iranian authorities are currently undertaking a review of whether stoning should be included in the penal code; and calls on the Government to do all it can to ensure that stoning is removed from Iran's penal code.","date":"2012-01-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"43621","proposer":"10133","edm":"2526","session":"2010-12","title":"Iranian Trade Unionists","text":"That this House is alarmed at the re-arrest of Ebrahim Madodi from the Vahed Trade Union Syndicate in Tehran; calls for his release and that of fellow trade unionist, bus workers' leader, Reza Shobabi immediately; and supports the rights of independent trade unionists in Iran to represent their members without the threat of imprisonment.","date":"2011-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"43610","proposer":"10203","edm":"2515","session":"2010-12","title":"Iran","text":"That this House is alarmed that the UK is stumbling towards a war in Iran that would have dreadful, unforeseeable consequences; recalls that in the past the momentum of preparations for war has frequently led to major wars; and urges the Government to seek to reduce tension, pursue conflict resolution and cease war preparations.","date":"2011-12-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"43351","proposer":"10128","edm":"2268","session":"2010-12","title":"Marzieh Vafamehr And Free Speech In Iran","text":"That this House condemns the conviction of Marzieh Vafamehr, an Iranian actress who has been sentenced to 90 lashes and one year in jail for her role in starring in the film My Tehran for Sale, an Australian film about an actress whose theatre work is banned in Iran; notes that Marzieh Vafamehr is not the only member of the Iranian film industry who has been arrested in recent years; further notes that Pegah Ahangarani, a popular Iranian actor was released from jail in July 2011, Jafar Panahi, an Iranian director received a six year prison sentence and a 20 year ban from film-making in 2010 and Ramin Parchami, an actor who voiced support for the Iranian opposition, remains in jail; believes that it is completely unacceptable that Marzieh Vafamehr and other members of the Iranian film industry are being imprisoned for their artistic activities; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Iranian authorities so that Marzieh and other Iranian actors and directors are released from prison immediately.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"43037","proposer":"11963","edm":"1968","session":"2010-12","title":"Higher Education Of Bah\u00e1'\u00eds In Iran","text":"That this House notes that a series of co-ordinated raids were carried out by the Iranian authorities against the Bah' Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) on 21 May 2011 in which 30 homes were entered in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan and Shiraz, and 14 Bah's were arrested; further notes that the BIHE provides a higher educational programme for young Bah's who are barred from university in Iran and that this constitutes an entirely peaceful and creative response from the Bah's of Iran to the stifling of their human development; and calls on the Government to exert diplomatic pressure on the Iranian authorities for the immediate release of the 14 individuals who have been unjustly arrested, and ultimately to allow Bah's to have access to higher education in the same manner as other citizens in Iran.","date":"2011-06-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42895","proposer":"11489","edm":"1829","session":"2010-12","title":"Imprisonment Of Bah\u00c1'\u00cd Community Leaders In Iran","text":"That this Housenotes that 14 May 2011 marks the third anniversary of the incarceration of the former leadership group of the Bah' community in Iran, known as the Yarn; observes their sentence to 20 years' imprisonment in August 2010 after a trial notable for its lack of due legal process; is mindful of the international outcry that has followed this case in which Nobel Laureates, human rights organisations, jurists and others have expressed concern over the trial and imprisonment of these seven members of the peaceful Bah' minority in Iran; and calls on the Government to press the Iranian authorities for their release.","date":"2011-05-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42766","proposer":"24784","edm":"1712","session":"2010-12","title":"Bah\u00c1'\u00cd Community In Iran","text":"That this House notes that the Bah's are Iran's largest religious minority, with over 300,000 believers, who have for 30 years suffered a state-sponsored campaign of persecution; further notes that under the Iranian regime hundreds of Bah's have been executed, thousands tortured and imprisoned and the rest denied homes, livelihoods or educations; therefore calls on Iran to release the seven Bah' leaders, who have suffered nearly three years of unjust incarceration and a sham trial with a lack of due process; further calls on Iran to safeguard the rights of all its Bah' citizens; and finally calls on the Government to continue to fight against the human rights violations of the Islamic Republic of Iran.","date":"2011-04-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42609","proposer":"24784","edm":"1563","session":"2010-12","title":"Links Between Iran And Durham University","text":"That this House notes that in 2008 the Iranian government was in talks with Islamic studies departments across the UK; believes that, given the Iranian regime's calls for the death of Salman Rushdie and the public hanging of homosexuals, it is not a suitable candidate to provide universities with academic direction; further notes that, for example, Durham University has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iranian government's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, which included promises to publish joint books, hold joint conferences, undertake joint research and exchange students and members of staff; further notes that in return, the Iranian government paid Durham 10,000; and therefore calls on the Government to hold an urgent inquiry into financial links between British universities and despotic regimes that tyrannise their own people.","date":"2011-03-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42549","proposer":"24784","edm":"1510","session":"2010-12","title":"Arrest Of Opposition Leaders In Iran","text":"That this House condemns the reported arrest of Iranian opposition leaders Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, who were already held under house arrest; notes that they were apparently moved to the Heshmatiyeh prison in Tehran after both leaders' websites had carried calls for protests in Tehran, and openly resisted the repression and human rights abuses of the Iranian regime; and calls on the British Government urgently to increase the economic sanctions against Iran in line with current sanctions against Libya.","date":"2011-03-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42488","proposer":"10133","edm":"1458","session":"2010-12","title":"Mansour Osanloo, Tehran Bus Workers Leader","text":"That this House is deeply concerned for the health of Mansour Osanloo, the leader of the Tehran bus workers, who suffered a heart attack in Rajai Shahr prison; deplores his imprisonment since 2007 and the limited access he has to medical assistance and his family; and calls for his release and for him to be afforded proper medical treatment.","date":"2011-02-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42193","proposer":"24852","edm":"1181","session":"2010-12","title":"Television Broadcast On Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani In Iran","text":"That this House is gravely concerned that the broadcast on Press TV in Iran of a documentary featuring footage of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was an attempt to film and televise a further confession; is further concerned that the filming and broadcast of such a programme while her case is under review is highly problematic for the fairness of the judicial system in Iran; notes that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has already been tried for alleged involvement in the murder of her husband; further notes that while she has spent five years in detention and still faces an uncertain future, the man who was convicted of the murder has reportedly been released having received a pardon from Sakineh Ashtiani's children; supports the sentiments expressed in an open letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ahmadinajad, published in The Times newspaper on 13 December 2010 and signed by more than 80 leading artists, academics and politicians; and calls on the Government to make continued representations to the Iranian authorities to release Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, her son Sajad Ghaderzade and her lawyer Houtan Kian.","date":"2010-12-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42173","proposer":"10133","edm":"1161","session":"2010-12","title":"Reza Shahabi (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes that in response to his continuing illegal detention in Evin prison, Tehran, notorious for the use of torture against inmates, Reza Shahabi, Treasurer of the Tehran Bus Workers Union, has embarked on a dry hunger strike and is not taking liquids; is highly concerned at this state of affairs which arises directly from the refusal of the Iranian authorities to release Shahabi onpreviously agreedbail conditions; further notes Amnesty International'sbelief thatShahabi is very likely to be a prisoner of conscience and is being held solely on account of his trade union activities; and urges the Government to act urgently to bring all possible pressure to bear on the Iranian authorities immediately torelease Reza Shahabi.","date":"2010-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42153","proposer":"24784","edm":"1145","session":"2010-12","title":"Iran's Nuclear Programme","text":"That this House welcomes the support of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in opposing the Iranian nuclear threat; is seriously concerned that the prospect of a nuclear Iran is only a few months away; notes that the Iranian President Mr Ahmadinejad has frequently denied the Holocaust, and stated that it was `exaggerated as a pretext for war'; further notes that in 2005 he described the state of Israel as an `occupying regime' which should be `wiped off the map'; finally notes that in a speech at the United Nations summit on the Millennium Development Goals, he alleged that the USadministration `orchestrated' the World Trade Center attacks in order to reverse declines in the US economy and `save the Zionist regime'; therefore calls on the Government for much stronger economic sanctions and other urgent measures to contain Iran's threat, before military action is deemed the only solution.","date":"2010-12-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42129","proposer":"24852","edm":"1121","session":"2010-12","title":"Shahla Jahed","text":"That this House notes with grave concern reports from Iran that Shahla Jahed was hanged on 1 December 2010, despite appeals from Amnesty International and other human rights groups during the nine years of her imprisonment; is concerned that she may not have received a fair trial, after a previous verdict was overturned citing procedural flaws; is further concerned by reports from human rights organisations that there are strong grounds to believe that her confession may have been extracted under coercion; further notes that marriage laws in Iran, including those governing temporary marriage, can lead to gender inequalities in justice; and calls on the Government to make continued representations to oppose the death sentence in all its forms.","date":"2010-12-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42052","proposer":"24852","edm":"1062","session":"2010-12","title":"Broadcast Of Statements Of Prisoners In Iran","text":"That this House notes with concern the recent broadcasts from Iran in which Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, her son Sajjad Qadarzadeh, her lawyer Houtan Kian, and two German citizens, all of whom are currently in detention, appeared to give purported statements in connection with Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's case; further notes that the two German citizens have been charged with espionage in Iran, following their interview with the son of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani; calls on the Government to continue to remind Iran of its commitments as a signatory to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights 1948, and to ask the Iranian government to review Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's case so that the threat of death no longer hangs over her; and furthercalls on the Iranian authorities to ensure fair trials and access to appropriate legal representation.","date":"2010-11-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"42043","proposer":"24784","edm":"1053","session":"2010-12","title":"Bah\u00c1'\u00cd Faith In Iran","text":"That this House expresses grave alarm at the news of the trial and sentencing of the Bah' leadership in Iran; notes that Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Naeimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Mr Behrouz Tavakkoli and Mr Vahid Tizfahm are members of the informal leadership known as the Friends that co-ordinate the activities of the Bah' community in Iran; further notes that the defendants were each sentenced to 20 years in prison in a brief trial with limited access to legal counsel; urges the Government to seek from the Iranian government guarantees for the safety of these individuals;calls for their immediate unconditional release; registers deep concern at the mounting threats and persecution of the Iranian Bah' community; joins in the condemnation of the persecution of the Bah' faith; and supports freedom of religion as a basic human right under international law.","date":"2010-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"41668","proposer":"24784","edm":"708","session":"2010-12","title":"Nuclear Enrichment In Iran","text":"That this House expresses concern at a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency detailing Iran's accelerated nuclear enrichment programme in defiance of the international community, which was widely reported in the national press, and which stated that the Iranian regime possessed `at least 22 kilograms of enriched uranium at least 20 per cent. purity, a technical hurdle that is the hardest to overcome on the way to weapons-grade uranium'; notes Iran's continued failure to co-operate with inspections; regrets that economic sanctions implemented in accordance with UNSC Resolution 1929 appear to be having minimal effect upon Tehran decision-makers; urges the Government resolutely to oppose the Iranian regime whilst championing the Iranian people who are suffering from their Government's actions; and advocates continued efforts to isolate the Iranian leadership.","date":"2010-09-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"41606","proposer":"10057","edm":"649","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Iran","text":"That this House expresses concern for the fate and well-being of Mohammed Mostafaei, lawyer to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, and his wife Fereshteh Halimi and her brother Farhad Halimi; and asks the Iranian authorities to demonstrate they are free and able to return home.","date":"2010-07-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"41590","proposer":"10383","edm":"633","session":"2010-12","title":"Arrest Of Reza Shahabi","text":"That this House deplores the arrest without charge by the Iranian authorities of Reza Shahabi, Treasurer of the Tehran Bus Workers Union, on 12 June 2010; is dismayed by this arrest which is the latest in a series of instances of the persecution of trade unionists in Iran; is deeply concerned that Reza Shahabi is being held in section 209 of the Evin prison which is notorious as a torture centre; is further concerned that he has been held in solitary confinement without any contact from family or friends for two months; notes that Amnesty International believes Reza Shahabi is very likely to be a prisoner of conscience and is being held solely on account of his trade union activities; believes the continued detention of Reza Shahabi places Iran in contravention of its agreement to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and calls on the Iranian government to release immediatelyReza Shahabi and for the UK Government to do all within its power to assist in his release.","date":"2010-07-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"41533","proposer":"24893","edm":"576","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Iran And Sanctions Against Iranian Officials","text":"That this House supports the imposition and enforcement through the United Nations of an international travel ban and personal financial sanctions on the 15 leading Iranian officials named in the Men of violence report published by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and held responsible in that report for carrying out the brutal repression against peaceful protestors and civil society activists detailed on the website of the Iran Human Rights Group; considers that those repressive measures were in direct contravention of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and further supports the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, which backs Iranian human rights activists and defenders of the civil, political, social and economic rights Iran is obliged to uphold as a subscriber to the international framework of human rights treaties and standards.","date":"2010-07-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"41492","proposer":"24852","edm":"535","session":"2010-12","title":"Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani (No. 3)","text":"That this House notes with grave concern that despite the decision by the Chief of Iran's judiciary temporarily to halt the inhumane sentence of stoning to death for Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, there remains the possibility that she will be executed in another manner; further notes that there are 15 other Iranians who face the same method of execution; believes that Iran has a duty to uphold its commitments to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which requires states that have not abolished the death penalty to inhibit its use to the most serious crimes; and urges the Government to continue to press the Iranian government to grant Mrs Ashtiani a complete reprieve and ensure that the 15 other individuals do not fall victim to the cruel and barbaric fate of being stoned to death.","date":"2010-07-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"41393","proposer":"10428","edm":"450","session":"2010-12","title":"Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani","text":"That this House is aware of the plight ofSakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a citizen of Iran who faces imminent death by stoning in her country for the alleged crime of adultery for which she has already spent five years in prison and received 99 lashes; believes that there is no place in the modern world for such medieval barbarism which blatantly disregards all international human rights commitments; and calls on the Government to inform Iran's representatives in the UK that it believes that, if such a cruel execution and inappropriate act were to be allowed by the Iran regime, the UK would see little value or positive function in maintaining ongoing international recognition or relationships with that regime.","date":"2010-07-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"41395","proposer":"10088","edm":"452","session":"2010-12","title":"Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani (No. 2)","text":"That this House abhors and condemns the use of stoning to death as a means of execution by the Iranian regime; and calls on the Government and the international community to use every means at their disposal to cause the Iranian government to free Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, whose death by this barbaric practice is imminent.","date":"2010-07-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"41299","proposer":"24910","edm":"359","session":"2010-12","title":"Nuclear Transparency Obligations","text":"That this House notes that in an interview with the BBC on 9 June 2010, the Foreign Secretary asserted that in respect of Iran's nuclear transparency obligations to the international community, it had to allow the International Energy Agency inspectors to have the necessary information about the nuclear enrichment facility at Qom, and that that information has never been supplied; further notes the Written Answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion, on the same day that `We have no plans to establish procedures to allow the international community to verify the UK's nuclear warhead stockpile. The UK has made this announcement in order to be more open, but we have to limit access to military sites in order to protect our national security interests and to adhere to safety and security measures', and believes that this Answer is not consistent with the Foreign Secretary's assertion about Iran's failure to co-operate with the international community over nuclear inspections; and therefore calls on the Government to make arrangements for full verification of the UK nuclear warhead stockpile by independent inspectors on behalf of the international community.","date":"2010-06-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"41033","proposer":"10190","edm":"117","session":"2010-12","title":"Bah\u00c1'\u00cd Leaders In Iran","text":"That this House notes the ongoing trial of Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Vahid Tizfahm, seven Bah\u00e1'\u00ed leaders in Iran; observes that as of 14 May 2010 they have entered a third year of incarceration in deplorable conditions in cells without beds or bedding; expresses grave concern at the disregard for due process since their arrest and the absence of any evidence presented against them to date; and calls on the Government to protest to the Iranian government at their ongoing detention and to call for their immediate release.","date":"2010-05-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"40540","proposer":"10123","edm":"928","session":"2009-10","title":"Iran","text":"That this House notes the Prime Minister's oft-repeated comment that the overwhelming majority of terrorist plots in the UK have connection with the Afghanistan and Pakistan area; further notes that most of these are connected to Pakistan not Afghanistan; further notes that there is no evidence of a connection between terrorist plots in the UK and Iran; and considers that any attempt to justify military action against Iran on the basis of such a connection would be the equivalent of the 45 minute use claim in relation to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.","date":"2010-02-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"40400","proposer":"10383","edm":"801","session":"2009-10","title":"Right Hon. Tony Blair's Evidence To The Chilcot Inquiry","text":"That this House notes former Prime Minister right hon. Tony Blair's comments about Iran during his evidence to the inquiry into the war on Iraq; considers them deeply unhelpful and an astonishing breach of the inquiry's remit; expresses regret that Sir John Chilcot felt unable to intervene during Mr Blair's hawkish transgression; is dismayed that Mr Blair should use such a high profile appearance to crudely pre-empt UK foreign policy on Iran; and believes that this confirms that he is a barrier to rather than a facilitator of peace in the Middle East.","date":"2010-02-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"40341","proposer":"10190","edm":"749","session":"2009-10","title":"Political Executions In Iran","text":"That this House condemns the hanging of Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour in Iran at dawn on 28 January 2010; notes that they were arrested during pro-democracy demonstrations and convicted of waging war against God; and calls on the Government to urge the international community to put pressure on Iran to release political prisoners and to cease using execution and torture as tools of repression in Iran.","date":"2010-01-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"40208","proposer":"10480","edm":"624","session":"2009-10","title":"Amnesty's Equality For Women In Iran Campaign","text":"That this House congratulates Amnesty for its campaign for equality on behalf of Iranian women; notes the widespread discrimination against women in the Iranian legal system; acknowledges the bravery of women like Hoda Aminian in promoting equality despite the risk involved; and looks forward to Amnesty securing its target of one million people signing up to its campaign.","date":"2010-01-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"40127","proposer":"10465","edm":"549","session":"2009-10","title":"Continuing Detention Of Bah\u00c1'\u00cd Leaders In Iran","text":"That this House notes the continuing apparent intention of the Iranian authorities to place seven leaders of the Bah\u00e1'\u00ed community on trial; further notes the appearance in various Iranian government-affiliated news agencies wrongly alleging that the Bah\u00e1'\u00eds faith is among the groups formenting civil unrest in Iran; fears this unfounded claim may nevertheless be used as a reason to take measures against these seven individuals; further notes reports of arrests and intimidation of other members of the Bah\u00e1'\u00ed community in Iran; and calls on the UK Government to approach the Iranian authorities to request the cancellation of the trial, and to seek assurances that any trial of Bah\u00e1'\u00eds is always conducted in public, following the basic tenets of justice and fair trial.","date":"2010-01-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"39953","proposer":"10190","edm":"391","session":"2009-10","title":"International Human Rights Day","text":"That this House welcomes International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2009; condemns those countries where human rights abuses occur on a daily and systematic basis; notes that on Monday Iranian authorities ordered foreign news outlets not to cover the protests that came on National Student Day, which were reportedly dispersed with the use of tear gas and militia brutality; further notes that in Burma, the case of Aung San Suu Kyi highlights the cruel suppression of democracy and perpetration of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the military junta; and calls on international agencies, including the UN and EU, and each sovereign state, to refocus their attention on human rights violations wherever they occur throughout the world.","date":"2009-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"39897","proposer":"11589","edm":"337","session":"2009-10","title":"Un Resolution On Treatment Of Minorities In Iran","text":"That this House notes with grave concern the continuing human rights violations against ethnic and religious minorities in Iran; strongly condemns the discrimination against Bah\u00e1'is, Arabs, Azeris, Baluchis, Kurds, Christians, Jews, Sufis and Sunni Muslims in Iran; further condemns the persistent harassment, intimidation and persecution of human rights defenders, political opponents, ethnic and religious minorities and other groups by the Islamic authorities; welcomes and supports the resolution passed by the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on 20 November 2009 strongly condemning the continuing abuse of the fundamental human rights of these groups and Iran's failure to comply with international standards in the administration of justice; and urges the Government to further support this Resolution, to work with international partners and use every influence to ensure that the rights of Bah\u00e1'is and all the other minority groups are upheld by the Iranian authorities.","date":"2009-12-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"39614","proposer":"11531","edm":"77","session":"2009-10","title":"UK Sanctions Against Iran","text":"That this House welcomes the British Government's Financial Restrictions Order of 12 October 2009 in relation to business relationships with the Iranian Bank Mellat and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) owing to their involvement in financial transactions and transportation of goods related to Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programmes; calls on other nations to introduce similar measures; notes with alarm the discovery by the Israeli navy on 4 November 2009 of roughly 500 tons of Iranian weapons in IRISL shipping containers on board the vessel Francop en route to Syria and Lebanon; deplores this find as a breach of UN Resolutions 1701 and 1747 and incontrovertible evidence of Iranian interference in the Middle East; and asks the Government to continue pressing for Iran's co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in partnership with the international community and to prepare for further sanctions to prevent Iran from disrupting Middle East peace negotiations and fuelling conflict in the region.","date":"2009-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"39381","proposer":"13735","edm":"2106A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Child Executions In Iran","text":"leave out `child' and insert `all'.","date":"2009-10-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"39338","proposer":"10190","edm":"2106","session":"2008-09","title":"Child Executions In Iran","text":"That this House condemns child executions in Iran; notes that there were eight juvenile executions in Iran in 2008; understands that there are over 140 children waiting on death row in Iran despite its commitment under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child to which it is state party; further notes that the practice of waiting until the prisoner turns 18 before executing them is deplorable; agrees with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who has called for changes to Iranian law and practice `to end execution of juvenile offenders once and for all'; and calls on the Government to seek an end to child executions in Iran.","date":"2009-10-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"38999","proposer":"10785","edm":"1799","session":"2008-09","title":"Arrest Of Mr Mohammad Mostafaei","text":"That this House notes with serious concern the arrest on 25 June 2009 of Iranian human rights lawyer Mr Mohammad Mostafaei; further notes that Mr Mostafaei is a defence lawyer for minors facing the death penalty in Iran and is currently representing more than 25 Iranian juveniles facing execution; further notes that Iran is one of five nations that continue to execute children contrary to international law and its obligations as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; shares concerns echoed by human rights charities that several known human rights defenders and lawyers have in recent weeks been arrested in Iran and are thought to be at risk of torture and attempted forced confessions; further notes that no charges have yet been brought against Mr Mostafaei; fears that Mr Mostafaei has been arrested for his human rights activities and for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association; calls upon the Iranian authorities to allow Mr Mostafaei immediate access to his family and lawyers; and further calls upon the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to make the strongest possible representations at all international levels regarding Mr Mostafaei's detention.","date":"2009-07-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"38954","proposer":"10177","edm":"1755","session":"2008-09","title":"Iranian Presidential Election 2009","text":"That this House supports the Iranian citizens who are utilising their democratic right to protest over the disputed Presidential election results of 12 June 2009; is concerned by reports of the arrest, torture and murder of protesters by the Revolutionary Guards and paramilitary Bassij; further supports the Iranian people in bringing about democratic change; and urges the Iranian Government to accept free and fair UN-supervised elections.","date":"2009-06-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"38644","proposer":"10383","edm":"1476","session":"2008-09","title":"Detention Of Trade Unionists And Students In Iran","text":"That this House notes with concern that during the May Day rally in Laleh Park, Tehran over 100 participants were physically attacked and arrested, including leading members of the Free Trade Union, and that at the May Day rally in Sanandaj in western Iran a further attack took place with 10 arrested; further notes that the Iranian authorities continue to detain Mr Mansour Osaloo, the President of the Tehran Bus Drivers Syndicate and students from the Freedom and Equality Seeking Activists movement; and calls on the Government to condemn these human rights abuses and to urge the Iranian government for the release of these detainees.","date":"2009-05-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"38228","proposer":"10383","edm":"1117","session":"2008-09","title":"Iran Anti-Sanctions Campaign","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of the Iran: Smash the Sanctions campaign; notes that sanctions restrict the Iranian people's access to medical supplies, immunisations, information and educational resources as well as many other essentials of daily life; believes that they are not benign smart sanctions that only target the leading figures in the regime, and therefore opposes the sanctions; and calls on the Government to work for an end to these punitive measures that bring so much harm and social dislocation to the ordinary people of Iran.","date":"2009-03-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"38083","proposer":"11265","edm":"991","session":"2008-09","title":"Relations Between Iran And Bahrain","text":"That this House believes that remarks made by Ali Akbar Nateq-Nouri, adviser to the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Al Khamenei, claiming that Iran has legal sovereignty over the Kingdom of Bahrain risk jeopardising diplomatic relations and stability within the region; and calls on the Iranian government to give an unequivocal statement of support to the Kingdom of Bahrain as a sovereign and independent state.","date":"2009-03-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"38016","proposer":"10465","edm":"937","session":"2008-09","title":"ARREST AND TRIAL OF BAH\u00c3\u0081'\u00c3\u008dS IN IRAN","text":"That this House notes the arrests in March and May 2008 of Mahvash Sabet, Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Vahid Tizfahm, members of an informal leadership council of the Iranian Bah\u00c3\u00a1'i community; further notes with concern the announcement of 12 February 2009 by the deputy-prosecutor of Tehran that these seven Bah\u00c3\u00a1'is are to face a revolutionary court to answer charges including, espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic, despite no evidence produced against them to date; observes that such accusations can merit capital punishment under Iranian law; is concerned that the charges against these Bah\u00c3\u00a1'i community leaders may be motivated by a growing culture of anti-Bah\u00c3\u00a1'i repression in Iran; and calls on the Government to protest to the Iranian authorities and press for the immediate release of these seven individuals.","date":"2009-03-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"36411","proposer":"10383","edm":"2070","session":"2007-08","title":"Iran","text":"That this House refuses to support a military attack on Iran; and urges Ministers to seek the recall of Parliament during the summer adjournment if the current situation in the Middle East deteriorates and military action becomes a serious and imminent threat or takes place.","date":"2008-07-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"35886","proposer":"10465","edm":"1608","session":"2007-08","title":"ARREST OF MEMBERS OF THE BAH\u00c3\u0081'\u00c3\u008d COMMUNITY IN IRAN","text":"That this House expresses grave alarm at the news of the arrest of six prominent Bah\u00c3\u00a1'\u00c3\u00ads in Iran on 14th May 2008; notes that Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjai, Mr Afif Naeimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mr Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr Vahid Tizfah are members of the informal group known as the Friends in Iran that co-ordinate the activities of the Bah\u00c3\u00a1'\u00c3\u00ad community in Iran; further notes that another member of the Friends in Iran, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, has been held in custody since 5th March 2008; registers deepest concern at the mounting threats and persecution of the Iranian Bah\u00c3\u00a1'\u00c3\u00ad community; urges the Government to seek from the Iranian government guarantees for the safety of these individuals; and calls for their immediate unconditional release.","date":"2008-05-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"35401","proposer":"10001","edm":"1180","session":"2007-08","title":"Mehdi Kazemi And The Treatment Of Homosexuality In Iran","text":"That this House is concerned by the case of Iranian teenager Mehdi Kazemi who is currently living in Holland; notes reports that Mr Kazemi's boyfriend was forced by Iranian authorities to denounce other gay men, including Mr Kazemi himself; is appalled at reports that Mr Kazemi's boyfriend was then hanged for the offence of homosexuality; believes that Mr Kazemi's life is in serious danger if he were returned to Iran; further notes that the Dutch authorities have rejected Mr Kazemi's appeal for asylum in Holland and are likely to deport him to the UK; believes that the Home Office view that Iran is safe for homosexuals as long as they hide their sexuality is contrary to human rights standards on sexual freedom; and calls on the Government to uphold its asserted position as a supporter of human rights by refraining from sending Mr Kazemi back to Iran and near-certain human rights abuses.","date":"2008-03-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"35001","proposer":"10785","edm":"833","session":"2007-08","title":"Human Rights And Iran","text":"That this House welcomes the recent report from Human Rights Watch on the clampdown by the Iranian government on independent activism; condemns the Iranian government's practice of holding certain women's rights activists, union and labour activists, teachers, journalists, scholars, students and other peaceful political activists under detention without trial under the security laws set out in the Islamic Penal Code entitled Offences Against the National and International Security of the Country, especially at Section 209 of Tehran's Evin Prison; further condemns the ill-treatment of detainees under interrogation at Evin 209, including the use of blindfolding, solitary confinement, sleep deprivation, and other forms of physical and psychological abuse; further condemns the detainees' lack of access to legal counsel and lack of access to telephone calls or visits with family members; and calls upon the UK Government to press the Iranian government to bring Evin 209 under transparent supervision, to amend its security laws to define national security and breaches against it in narrow terms that do not infringe upon the right to free speech, and to allow all detainees access to legal counsel throughout the period of their detention and trial.","date":"2008-01-31","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"34953","proposer":"10785","edm":"788","session":"2007-08","title":"Child Executions","text":"That this House notes that Amnesty International continues to record instances of child offenders being executed worldwide; observes that Amnesty International recorded that a total of 18 child offenders have been executed in Iran since 2004, more than any other state during that period; recognises that this practice is contrary to Article 37(a) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; further notes that this practice is contrary to the United Nations General Assembly resolution vote calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty passed on 18th December 2007; and calls upon the Government to take every action possible to ensure that there are no further child executions worldwide in 2008 or thereafter.","date":"2008-01-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"34724","proposer":"10001","edm":"579","session":"2007-08","title":"Dialogue With Iran","text":"That this House acknowledges the National Intelligence Estimate's report on Iran's nuclear activities; recognises Iran's influence in the Middle East and its importance in securing peace in the region while not condoning Iran's human rights record or President Ahmadinejad's remarks regarding Israel; condemns the threat of military action against Iran as a method of diplomacy; and calls on the Government to open further dialogue with Iran, and to put pressure on the US Administration to do the same.","date":"2007-12-13","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"34656","proposer":"10177","edm":"516","session":"2007-08","title":"Iranian Opposition","text":"That this House welcomes the 30th November judgment of the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission (POAC) in the appeal brought by 35 hon. Members and Peers against the refusal of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to deproscribe the main democratic opposition to the Iranian regime, the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI); commends POAC for its careful consideration over a seven day hearing of all the evidence, which consisted of more than 15 files of documents and 20 witness statements; welcomes POAC's finding that the PMOI is not involved in terrorism and that the refusal of the Secretary of State to deproscribe the PMOI was flawed, perverse and must be set aside; and urges the Government to comply with the judgment of POAC which requires the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament as soon as possible the draft of an Order under section 3(3)(b) of the Terrorism Act 2000 removing the PMOI from the list of proscribed organisations.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"34664","proposer":"10383","edm":"524","session":"2007-08","title":"Student Arrests In Iran","text":"That this House notes with great concern the increase in repression against student activists protesting against the dictatorship and for social justice in Iran; further notes that around 30 students and other activists have been arrested, including a number who stayed away from their universities after warnings from the intelligence ministry; urges the Iranian government to release these student activists and to drop all sabotage charges against them; and calls upon the UK Government to press the Iranian government to respect basic human rights and the relevant international standards and treaties.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"34665","proposer":"10190","edm":"525","session":"2007-08","title":"Death Penalty For Juvenile Offenders In Iran","text":"That this House deplores the flouting of clear and specific human rights obligations by Iran in the case of Makwan Mouladzadeh, aged 20; regrets that Mouladzadeh was hanged on 4th December 2007 in defiance of Ayatollah Shahrudi's order to stay the execution pending review of the case; understands that Mouladzadeh was sentenced to death for crimes allegedly committed when he was 13 years old; condemns this decision, given that all of his accusers had recanted their statements and he had repudiated his confession as being coerced by the police; notes that Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which treaties bar the imposition of the death penalty for offences committed under the age of 18; is dismayed that Iran executes more juvenile offenders than any other state; and urges HM Government to press the Iranian regime to fulfil its obligations under the two treaties.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"34638","proposer":"10218","edm":"505","session":"2007-08","title":"Opinion Poll On Iran","text":"That this House congratulates the Mayor of London on his commissioning of a Mori Poll which, inter-alia, revealed that 70 per cent. of Londoners believed that the British Government's support for an American-led attack on Iran would make London less safe; notes that only 3 per cent. believed that it would make London more safe, whilst 78 per cent. of Londoners believed that the British support for such an attack on Iran would make a terrorist attack on London more likely; further notes that 75 per cent. of Londoners thought America would be wrong to take military action against Iran and that 75 per cent. would oppose British forces joining American-led military action against Iran; and therefore calls upon the Government to take careful note of these opinions, which are widely shared throughout the country.","date":"2007-12-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Iran","id":"34231","proposer":"11427","edm":"141","session":"2007-08","title":"Persecution Of Iranian Trade Unionists","text":"That this House condemns the attempted assassination on 18th October 2007 of Iranian trade union activist Majid Hamidi by three masked gunmen; notes that Iranian labour activists are convinced that armed attacks of this type are done with the knowledge of the Iranian government; shares their concern that this represents a considerable escalation in persecution of trade unionists, which they have called a Colombianisation of the situation in Iran; notes the continuing imprisonment of independent trade union activists such as Mansour Osanloo, leader of the Tehran bus workers' union, as well as Mahmoud Salehi and Ebrahim Madadi, documented on the Labourt Start website; and calls upon the UK Government to press the International Labour Organisation to raise this issue as a matter of urgency with the Iranian government.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"}]