2. Letter dated 31 March 2006, from
Dr Kim Howells MP, Minister of State (Middle East), Foreign and
Commonwealth Office
At a session of the European Scrutiny Committee
on 8 February Michael Gove asked what support the Government and
the European Union were giving to promote democracy in Iran, and
what support we were giving to striking bus drivers in Tehran.
Douglas Alexander agreed that I would write to you.
Encouraging respect for human rights and political
freedoms is a key element of our approach towards Iran. Iran's
internal political debates are for Iranians themselves to resolve.
But we seek to promote the internationally recognised principles
to which many Iranians aspire including freedom of speech and
transparent, genuinely democratic and accountable government.
In line with long-standing EU policy, we are
committed to supporting political reform. We continue to support
the development of governmental and non-governmental organisations
where opportunities arise. We do not publicise the details without
the consent of our Iranian partners. The European Commission has
allocated around €4.4 million to projects in Iran under the
European Initiative for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR).
Three projects, to which the EU has allocated a total of €2.9
million, are implemented by United Nations agencies. A further
€l million project was launched in January 2005.
Remedying the deficiencies in the democratic
process will be a long-term process. In our private dialogue and
public statements we continue to press the Iranian authorities
on the need for reform. As the Foreign Secretary made clear in
his speech to the International Institute of Strategic Studies
on 13 March, this is an area where we believe the UK and EU should
become more active.
Our Embassy in Tehran continues to monitor closely
the human rights situation, including respect for labour rights.
We are also in contact with the Trades Union Congress, human rights
NGOs and the international labour movement We are deeply concerned
at the recent arrest and the intimidation of striking bus drivers
and their families. Our Ambassador in Tehran has made these concerns
clear to the Iranian authorities, and at our suggestion, the European
Union will be doing likewise.
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