Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersMy Lords, discussions with representatives from Qatar, the UAE and others are regular and ongoing. As I said in answer to the previous question, these are not discussions that I…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersI acknowledge, as I am sure we all do in different ways, the breathtaking courage of protesters in Iran, particularly the women, whose every act of defiance comes with the risk of…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersMy Lords, the Iranian regime has a long, dark record of persecution—not just of religious minorities but of the LGBT community and, as has already been discussed, anyone who…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersMy noble friend makes an important and powerful point. It is not for me to discuss the proscription of individual cases. My colleagues in the Foreign Office will have heard what…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersMy Lords, I assume that these discussions are happening, but I do not know as I am not party to them. I will convey the noble Baroness’s question to the Minister responsible, who…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersAs noble Lords will know, it is not always the case that those who have been arrested and held by the Iranian regime contact the UK Government and request support, either directly…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersThe UK maintains a wide range of sanctions designed to constrain Iran’s destabilising activity within the wider region. We work in the multilateral fora to—as the noble Lord…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersAbsolutely. In Iran, the law already provides some protection—for example, the Jewish community has protection within the constitution. However, in reality it is meaningless. If…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersMy noble friend makes an important point. In the sewer that is Twitter, the one shining light is its ability to transmit and convey images of the really staggering bravery on the…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersMy Lords, I am sure that the House shares the outrage expressed by the Foreign Secretary on Thursday at the Iranian regime’s execution of protesters. Mohsen Shekari and Majidreza…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersAbsolutely not. The UK’s position on Iran has been rock solid for a very considerable time, and there is no question of the UK in any way softening its approach to the behaviour…12 Dec 2022HANSARDIran: Execution of ProtestersMy Lords, there are a whole range of activities and actions that the UK can take bilaterally—which I have already mentioned—in relation to sanctions and trying to squeeze those…12 Dec 2022HANSARDProtection of Media FreedomMy Lords, the right reverend Prelate mentions Russia and China, which are the source of much of the activity and agitation we have seen against a free press, both in those…08 Dec 2022HANSARDProtection of Media FreedomThe Government have reiterated their commitment to using primary legislation to introduce a statutory definition of SLAPP. It is not for me to determine which legislative vehicle…08 Dec 2022HANSARDProtection of Media FreedomThe noble Lord is exactly right and what he says entirely echoes the view of the UK Government. It is outrageous that anyone, particularly journalists reporting on a foreign…08 Dec 2022HANSARDProtection of Media FreedomMy noble friend is absolutely right. I believe it is still the case today that on average, every five days around the world a journalist is killed for bringing information to the…08 Dec 2022HANSARDProtection of Media FreedomMy Lords, SLAPPs are clearly an abuse of the legal system, involving the use of legal threats and litigation to silence journalists, campaigners and public bodies who investigate…08 Dec 2022HANSARDDemocratic Republic of the Congo: ConflictMy Lords, the DRC is a country that is riven by corruption. As I said, it is estimated that corruption in the round costs about 10% of the country’s GDP, and a big chunk of that…08 Dec 2022HANSARDDemocratic Republic of the Congo: ConflictMy Lords, we have raised our concerns about the increase in violence at the highest levels with the DRC and Rwanda. That includes messages sent by our Foreign Minister to the…08 Dec 2022HANSARDDemocratic Republic of the Congo: ConflictMy Lords, we will certainly not just conduct chats within the City. The reality is that there is an enormous amount of muscle there; if some of our companies are engaging in…08 Dec 2022