§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent elections in Iran. [157649]
§ Mr. RammellOver the last 10 years Iran has made progress towards greater political freedom. But the flawed parliamentary elections held on 20 February were a clear setback.
On 23 February, EU Foreign Ministers expressed their deep regret and disappointment that large numbers of candidates, including many sitting deputies, had been prevented from standing, thus making a genuine democratic choice by the Iranian people impossible. For elections in any country to be regarded as free and fair, electors must have a chance to vote for candidates with a range of views.