§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have noted the conviction by the 7th branch of the Criminal Tribunal in Istanbul of Reza Barzegar Massoumi, an agent of the Iranian Intelligence Ministry, on charges of complicity in the murders of Mrs. Zahra Rajabi and Mr. Ali Moradi, opponents of the Iranian regime; whether the proof in a court of law of the involvement of agents of the Iranian government in acts of terrorism abroad affects the relationship between Britain and Iran, or between the European Union and Iran, and in what way; and whether they will review other acts of terrorism against opponents of the Iranian regime, in co-operation with other European Union governments, with a view to deciding to raise these matters at the forthcoming meeting of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyHer Majesty's Government have indeed noted the conviction of Reza Barzegar Massoumi in Turkey. His claims about the involvement of the Iranian government came as no surprise, but the court did not determine whether the Iranian government was behind the murders. We continue to be concerned about Iran's support for terrorism and her threats to Iranian dissidents abroad.
The Government, together with their European Union partners, are currently preparing their position for this year's session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.