§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he had collated on how many executions there were on average in Iran each month in each year since 1997 and 2002 to date; how many women and men have been stoned to death since President Khatami came to power; and how many women and men have been punished by flogging in the same period; and what estimate he has made of the impact of his representations on these matters to the Government of Iran in the last 10 months. [72171]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienPrecise figures are not available. But drawing on press reporting, information from NGOs and from the annual reports of the UN Special Representative for Human Rights in Iran, we estimate that:
- (a) there were at least 199 executions in 1997, 155 in 1998, 165 in 1999, 130 in 2000 and 139 in 2001. There were at least 49 up to the end of May this year;
- (b) three men and three women were stoned to death in 1997 and two, possibly three, women in 2001. We have heard of three sentences against women in 2002, but we do not yet know whether they have been carried out;
- (c) we have no figures for floggings in 1997 or 1998 but are aware of at least 360 between 1999 and the end of 2001.
The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and urges all states to abolish the death penalty. Debate on such issues is growing in Iran and we and EU partners continue to make clear our views to the Iranian Government at every suitable opportunity.
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§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran on the discrimination against women set out in child custody laws reported on by the UN special representative for Human Rights in Iran in the report to the UN Human Rights Commission earlier this year. [72170]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe have not made any specific representations on this subject. But the UK plays a leading role in promoting and protecting the rights of women. The most recent UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution on Human Rights in Iran, which the UK co-sponsored as a member of the EU, noted "systematic discrimination against women and girls in law and in practice". It called upon the Government of Iran to "take further measures to ensure full and equal enjoyment by women and girls of their human rights". We will continue to monitor developments in this area.