I share your concerns about Iran's appalling human rights record and know that this has been a long-standing and serious concern for HM Government (HMG), along with the regime's continued refusal to allow the UN Special Rapporteur access to the country. Respect for human rights underpins the UK's foreign policy, which is why Iran remains one of 31 human rights priority countries for the UK.
Iran's continued and prolific use of the death penalty, weak rule of law, high rates of child forced marriage, restrictions on freedoms of expression and of religion or belief, as well as restrictions on the right of women to fully participate in society, remains deeply worrying. This was reiterated at the 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in March, during which the UK's Global Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, demanded that Iran improve its human rights situation.
I am assured that the UK will continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its dire record on human rights. The UK Foreign Secretary regularly speaks with their opposite number in Iran on a wide range of issues, including nuclear non-compliance, regional stability and security, the release of UK dual-nationals and indeed on Iranian human rights violations.
The UK has over 200 sanctions designations in place against Iran in relation to human rights, nuclear proliferation and terrorism. HMG also used the dedicated Iran Human Rights sanctions regime on 10 October to designate the so-called 'Morality Police', two of its leaders and five others for serious human rights violations. This brings the total to 85 individuals and two entities sanctioned under that regime, sending a clear message to the Iranian authorities that the UK will hold them to account for the shocking violence inflicted on their own people.
The death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest for alleged dress code violations is shocking. My thoughts are with her friends and family. I can assure you, in no uncertain terms, that the UK stands with the people of Iran who are bravely calling for an end to the sustained repression of their rights by the Iranian regime. The use of violence in response to the expression of fundamental rights, by women or any other members of Iranian society, is wholly unjustifiable.