During a parliamentary debate on February 27, 2025, members of the UK House of Lords strongly condemned Iran’s human rights abuses, voicing concerns over the arbitrary detention of British and dual nationals, the persecution of religious minorities, and the regime’s escalating use of the death penalty as a tool of political repression.
The Bishop of St Albans specifically drew attention to the cases of political prisoners Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, who face imminent execution on charges of “armed rebellion against the state.” Urging immediate action, he called on the UK government to “do all they can” to prevent the executions and address Iran’s increasing reliance on capital punishment, describing the situation as “truly harrowing.”
Lawmakers also denounced the systematic persecution of religious minorities, with the Bishop of Chelmsford stressing that “religious freedom is severely curtailed for everyone except Persian-speaking Shias.” He highlighted the plight of Christian converts from Islam, who frequently face arrests, imprisonment, and fabricated charges of acting against national security.
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A major focus of the debate was Iran’s continued detention of British and dual nationals. Parliamentarians acknowledged that since 2010, over 60 foreign nationals have been imprisoned in Iran, including 16 with British or dual nationality. Often held on baseless charges, these individuals are denied fair trials and used as political leverage.
The Bishop of Chelmsford urged stronger international pressure on Iran, stating: “Let us call this situation out for what it is. Other countries, such as France, are willing to do so. The more European and other nations speak with one voice, the greater the pressure on Iran to change its approach.”
Lawmakers also advocated for more robust measures to combat state hostage-taking, referencing the Canadian-led initiative against arbitrary detention, which the UK joined in 2021. Baroness Northover questioned the UK’s strategy, asking, “Other countries handle the release of their citizens differently. Will the government review its approach?”
The Bishop of St Albans noted that Iran executed at least 901 people in 2024, including 40 in a single week in December. He also warned that Iran’s military activities and nuclear escalation posed a growing threat, stating, “An increasingly desperate Iranian regime is an increasingly dangerous one.” Calling for tougher action against Iran’s security forces, he asked, “The Revolutionary Guard plays a key role in hostage-taking—what is the government’s current stance on them?”
In response, Lord Collins of Highbury, the UK’s Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing Iran’s human rights violations. He confirmed that the UK has sanctioned 94 Iranian individuals and entities since 2022 for human rights abuses. He also reiterated the government’s advisory against all travel to Iran, emphasizing that “having a British passport or connections to the United Kingdom can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain someone.”
As Iran’s human rights crisis worsens, British lawmakers continue to push for stronger measures to hold the regime accountable. The debate highlighted growing calls for international coordination to address Iran’s hostage diplomacy, systematic executions, and suppression of religious minorities.
