TELEVISION BROADCAST ON SAKINEH MOHAMMADI ASHTIANI IN IRAN

Early day motion 1181, tabled 13 December 2010 by Valerie Vaz (Labour). Signed by 32 members.

That this House is gravely concerned that the broadcast on Press TV in Iran of a documentary featuring footage of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was an attempt to film and televise a further confession; is further concerned that the filming and broadcast of such a programme while her case is under review is highly problematic for the fairness of the judicial system in Iran; notes that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has already been tried for alleged involvement in the murder of her husband; further notes that while she has spent five years in detention and still faces an uncertain future, the man who was convicted of the murder has reportedly been released having received a pardon from Sakineh Ashtiani's children; supports the sentiments expressed in an open letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ahmadinajad, published in The Times newspaper on 13 December 2010 and signed by more than 80 leading artists, academics and politicians; and calls on the Government to make continued representations to the Iranian authorities to release Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, her son Sajad Ghaderzade and her lawyer Houtan Kian.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 7, Conservative 6, DUP 3, Green 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.