A
number of my constituents have recently written to me to express their concerns
about the case of Mrs Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian dual citizen who has been detained in Iran since
the 3rd of April 2016.
I share their concerns about the deterioration
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s health and echo their calls on the Iranian government
to secure her release as soon as possible.
Since Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s imprisonment in
2016, government ministers have been in regular contact with her husband
Richard Ratcliffe and have made a number representations to the Iranian
president urging him to intervene in Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s case.
Mrs
Zaghari-Ratcliffe was temporarily released from prison in August. Groups
campaigning for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release have said that indicates a
strong possibility of lengthier releases in the future. It is important now for
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to continue making decisions that will help
secure earliest possible release of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe. I understand that
granting diplomatic protection to Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is an option currently
being considered by the Foreign Secretary. However, one of the difficulties
with this option is the Iranian government’s refusal to recognise dual
citizenship. They are not obliged to do so under international law.
Responding
to a recent parliamentary written question on Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s
situation, the FCO Minister Alistair Burt said that the UK Government “remains
very concerned about all our dual nationals detained in Iran” and “continues to
raise their cases with the Iranian Government at every opportunity”. The Prime
Minister also made clear in Prime Minister’s Questions last week that she
regularly raises this matter with the Iranian President and that her thoughts
“during this difficult time … remain with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and with
her family and friends”.
I
will continue to speak up for and support Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release
whenever the opportunity arises.
