Carmichael, Alexander, Campbell, Öpik and Mulholland quiz D Miliband

• [Jun 30] Alistair Carmichael (Orkney & Shetland, Liberal Democrat): ' . . MAY I take his attention back to Iran, and in particular to the situation facing the seven Baha'i spiritual leaders who have been in detention for more than a year and are apparently to stand trial on 11 July, whose lawyers are reported to have suffered intimidation, and who do not yet know the nature or the number of charges against them? '

I certainly wish to associate myself with the Foreign Secretary's remarks, but may I take his attention back to Iran, and in particular to the situation facing the seven Baha'i spiritual leaders who have been in detention for more than a year and are apparently to stand trial on 11 July, whose lawyers are reported to have suffered intimidation, and who do not yet know the nature or the number of charges against them? Will the Foreign Secretary bring pressure to bear from this country and others to ensure that their trial conforms to the principles of natural justice?(30 June 2009, c159)

David Miliband: The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. We have long spoken up about the treatment of the Baha'i minority; they were featured in the Foreign Office's human rights report, and he is right to draw attention to the importance of the events on 11 July and beyond.• Full Debate in Parliament

. . Danny Alexander (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, Liberal Democrat): Is the Foreign Secretary aware that among the appalling abuses perpetrated by the Iranian regime is its record on executing children? According to a report to be published today by the Foreign Policy Centre, in the past five years 33 children have been executed, and a further 160 juveniles are on death row. Will he work through international bodies to put pressure on the Iranian regime to end that abhorrent practice?(30 June 2009, c160)

David Miliband: I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has drawn attention to the excellent work of the Foreign Policy Centre, especially in this regard. The number of children executed in Iran was rightly highlighted in the Foreign Office's human rights report. Not only does this run directly contrary to all sorts of humanitarian considerations, but Iran is a signatory to the international covenant on civil and political rights; that at least, if nothing else, should guarantee proper safety for the children.

• . . Menzies Campbell (Fife North East, Liberal Democrat): Last week, the Foreign Secretary repeated the Prime Minister's claim that the Iraq inquiry had not been set up to establish civil or criminal liability. Does that mean that the Government propose to grant legal immunity to any witness who gives evidence to the inquiry-and if so, by what means?(30 June 2009, c162)

David Miliband: I remember no discussion of legal immunity in our debate last week. We have a clear mandate for Sir John Chilcot to pursue a wide-ranging inquiry. He will do so, and I hope that he will publish in the not-too-distant future his views on how he is going to conduct his inquiry, covering all the issues that were raised in the debate last week. That is the right next step.

• . . Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire, Liberal Democrat): Regarding the seven Baha'i leaders detained in Iran, may I ask the Foreign Secretary whether he will meet me, as the chair of the all-party Baha'i group, and a delegation of Baha'is, to understand the issues and see what representations might respectfully be made to secure their release?(30 June 2009, c162)

David Miliband: I am happy to arrange a ministerial meeting with one of my colleagues on that important issue.

• . . Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West, Liberal Democrat): The excellent charity Kidz In Kampz, which is based in my constituency, reports increasing difficulty in delivering aid on the Burma-Thailand border because of political turmoil. As well as putting pressure on Burma, what discussions has the Foreign Secretary held with the Thai authorities in trying to read that difficult situation?(30 June 2009, c163)

David Miliband: The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. He knows that in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, the UK was the second largest donor to humanitarian help in Burma. We think that that was the right thing to do. I was not aware of the particular case that he raises, but I spoke-not recently but some time ago-to the Thai Foreign Minister, and I shall be happy to get an update from our embassy in Thailand about the latest Thai effort. The hon. Gentleman is right to say that Thailand has an important role to play.

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