§ Ms MoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Iran regarding the verdict in the trial of the Jews from Shiraz. [129495]
§ Mr. HainWe have made clear to the Iranian authorities our deep concern at the verdicts and sentences passed on 10 Jews and two Muslims on 1 July. We have done so through a public statement issued on 1 July, and on 5 July, both through our Ambassador in Tehran, and here with the Iranian Ambassador to London.
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Iranian Government on human rights in that country; and if he will make a statement. [129514]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 7 July 2000]: We and our EU partners regularly press the Iranian authorities over our concerns about certain human rights issues in Iran. On each of the three occasions that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has met his Iranian counterpart Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, human rights have featured prominently in their discussions. I too discussed our concerns with Deputy Foreign Minister Sarmadi during his visit to the UK in March.
In addition, we regularly raise our concerns through our Ambassador in Tehran and the Iranian Ambassador to London.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what talks he has had with human rights organisations regarding the sentencing of the Iranian Jews convicted of espionage. [129675]
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§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 7 July 2000]: We have maintained regular contact with a number of concerned organisations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Inter-Parliamentary Council Against Anti-Semitism on this case.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit Iran. [129676]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 7 July 2000]: We will be consulting with the Iranian authorities to arrange mutually convenient dates for a visit.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact he has had with other EU Governments regarding the sentencing of the Iranian Jews for espionage. [129677]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 7 July 2000]: We and our EU partners have been in regular contact throughout the detention and subsequent trial on espionage charges of the 13 members of the Shiraz Jewish community and eight Muslims. A statement expressing the deep concern of all EU member states at the sentencing of 10 of the Jewish defendants and two of the Muslim defendants was issued shortly after the verdicts were announced on 1 July.
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian Government following the sentencing of the Iranian Jews. [129715]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 7 July 2000]: We have made clear to the Iranian authorities our deep concern at the verdicts and sentences passed on 10 Jews and two Muslims on 1 July. We have done so through a public statement issued on 1 July, and on 5 July, both through our Ambassador in Tehran, and here with the Iranian Ambassador to London.