BCFIF Makes Iran Policy Recommendations for UK Government

1st January 2024

In a document that was published on the website of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the British Committee for Iran Freedom (BCFIF) made the following recommendations to the UK government related to Iran policy:

Call for the revocation of laws discriminating against women in Iran and the broader MENA region.
Demand the release of all political prisoners in Iran and other MENA countries.
Insist on the immediate release of protesters imprisoned during the current uprising in Iran.
Advocate for a coalition to hold officials accountable for human rights abuses, including those responsible for the deaths of protestors in the current uprising and the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.
Oppose the payment of ransoms for hostages held in Iran and demand their immediate release.
Designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Intelligence Ministry as terrorist organizations under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Recognize the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people and others in the region and support those seeking democratic change, including the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its President-elect Maryam Rajavi.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, pressed for a UN-sponsored fact-finding mission to Iran and other countries where political prisoners face torture and execution.

The British Committee for Iran Freedom emphasizes the need for the UK to prioritize human rights, advocate for regional stability, and support the rule of law in its engagement with the Middle East and North Africa. The committee expresses concern about human rights abuses in Iran, including discrimination against women, political repression, and violence against protestors. It calls for a comprehensive approach that addresses the interconnected issues of democracy, stability, and human rights in the region. The submission concludes by highlighting the UK’s unique position to influence positive change based on historical ties and the importance of promoting freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights.