PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Shadi Shahidzadeh (15 June 2023)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made representations to the Iranian authorities on the loss of contact between Shadi Shahidzadeh and her family since her arrest.

Asked by:
Taiwo Owatemi (Labour)

The UK unequivocally condemns the persecution of religious minorities in Iran. We are appalled by reports of the regime's increased detentions of Baha'is, as well as expropriation of land and destruction of homes of the Baha'i community. We recognise the specific risks Baha'i individuals face in Iran, including false accusations of links to foreign governments. We therefore weigh our actions very carefully, noting that establishing a link to the UK could put people at further risk. We stand up for the Baha'i community and other oppressed minorities in Iran by raising these and wider human rights issues with the regime at all appropriate opportunities, and we work closely with our international partners to hold Iran to account for its dire human rights record.

Answered by:
David Rutley (Conservative)
22 June 2023