B

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 12 January 2026

Debate

Iran: Protests

Contribution

My Lords, I should declare that I am the director of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, which has been monitoring human rights abuses in Iran for many years. A grave human rights crisis is unfolding in Iran. As many noble Lords will know, a nationwide uprising has been taking place in 111 cities across Iran. This is not confined to Tehran, or to its students or young women; it is across all classes and all the peoples of Iran. The regime is using live ammunition against unarmed citizens. There are mass arrests as well as a total internet and telecommunications blackout. Bodies are piling up in morgues, but families cannot locate their loved ones. Hospitals are overwhelmed and even Starlink connectivity is reported to be jammed. What assessment have the Government made of the treatment of protesters in Iran? What do they feel that they can do, and how are they engaging with the Government of the United States on proposed responses to ensure that those are in accordance with international law? The people of Iran want democracy; they do not want outside entities to bring about regime change.

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