HL Deb 14 December 1999 vol 608 c24WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ask for clemency for the 13 Iranian Jews, four students and any others, facing the penalty of death in Iran. [HL259]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The cases of the 13 members of the Iranian Jewish community and others detained on espionage charges have yet to come to trial. The sentencing of the four students to which his Lordship refers is less clear cut. There have been reports that one has been acquitted and the other three have received the death sentence but continue to have a right of appeal. But we and EU partners do not believe that the death penalty is justified under any circumstances. We have expressed our concern over all these cases with the Iranians on many occasions. We have in the past pressed the Iranian Government for clemency in cases where the death sentence has been confirmed. If necessary, we will do so again.