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Iran: Politics and Government

Asked by Helen MaguireLiberal DemocratForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 29 October 2025UIN 82213

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to (a) help stop executions and (b) promote the democratic movement in Iran.

Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer

The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstance as a matter of principle. We have repeatedly called on Iran to establish an immediate moratorium on executions, including at the UN Third Committee on 9 October. We continue to play an integral role in the delivery of the Committee's annual Iran human rights resolution, and will do so again this November. In November 2024, the resolution condemned Iran's application of the death penalty, which was in violation of its international obligations, including executions undertaken against persons on the basis of forced confessions and without fair trial and due process. We will continue to work with international partners to hold Iran to account for its continued human rights violations. We believe it is for the Iranian people to decide the future of Iran.

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