HC Deb 27 March 2003 vol 402 c359W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of women's rights in Iran; what recent representations he has made to the Iranian Government on women's rights; and if he will make a statement. [104937]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

In Iran women make up over half the university intake, and are able to work, drive, and vote. There are 13 women MPs, a female Vice-President and many representatives on town and city councils. Nevertheless, we share the concerns expressed in the EU Council Conclusions of 19 March at the discrimination, in law and in practice, against women and girls in Iran. The head of the Iranian Judiciary has said there is a need to review the laws which deny women their rights. We encourage the efforts being made in Iran to have legislation passed which will permit Iran to ratify without reservations the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the decision by the Iranian Government not to remove stoning from the Islamic Punishment Act; and if he will make a statement. [104940]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Although the Iranian Government have not removed stoning from the Iranian penal code we welcome their recent de facto moratorium on death sentences by stoning and hope that it is the first step towards the abolition of this practice. 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 our EU partners continue to make clear our views to the Iranian Government at every suitable opportunity.

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