Iran’s brutal suppression of its own citizens ‘mimics rise of Nazis’, says MP
The Conservative MP Bob Blackman spoke out over the brutal suppression of protesters in Iran during an impassioned Commons debate
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Conservative MP Bob Blackman has likened the Iranian regime’s brutal suppression of those who campaign for democratic rights to the “rise of the Nazis” in an impassioned speech in the Commons.
The Harrow East politician, who had secured Thursday’s debate on actions of the regime in Tehran, recalled the “horrific situation” last September when a 22 year-old female was murdered in Iran.
“Her crime, such as it was described, was merely to wear her hijab in a manner that the regime deemed to be too loose,” said Blackman.
He added:”The suppression of those who speak against the regime is undemocratic and, frankly, dangerous.
“It mimics the rise of the Nazis, and the country must act before it reaches such levels.”
The debate saw MPs from all parties urging the government to get tougher on Tehran, but it did not end with confirmation that a decision has been taken to proscribe the IRGC, despite newspaper reports that this would happen.
The IRGC, a feared arm of the Iranian government, has been designated as a terror group by America, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It has repeatedly been accused of responsibility for carrying out attacks on Jews in diaspora communities.
Labour’s Christian Wakeford told MPs the regime in Iran take a “negative approach not only to the state of Israel but to Jewish people across the globe, by propagating antisemitism, including holocaust denial.
“As we approach Holocaust Memorial Day, it is now more important than ever to call out the evil of holocaust denial.”
Wakeford spoke of the “continued threat” posed by Hezbollah which he said “is a major reason why Jewish communities around the world, including in my constituency, require security outside schools, synagogues, community centres and events.”
MPs from across all sides urged the government to speed up with expected confirmation of the proscription of the IRGC.
For the Tories, Ian Duncan Smith reasoned:” On proscription—I am co-chair of the all-party group on Magnitsky sanctions—the United States and many other countries have already proscribed and sanctioned the republican guard in Iran, so why are the UK Government dragging their feet over what is clearly a required action, given that the republican guard is so heavily involved in the brutality and murder of people?”
Meanwhile his colleague Alicia Kearns MP suggested:”Within 48 hours of every state murder of a protester, the west, our allies and the UK should impose specific sanctions, because otherwise there is no direct response to prevent each individual execution.”
In another poignant moment during the debate Labour’s middle east minister Bambos Charlambous read out the names of Iranian citizens now said to be facing the threat of execution under the regime.
Responding for the government minister Leo Docherty said:”On the issue of proscription, the IRGC is, of course, sanctioned as an organisation and its individual members are sanctioned under our current legislation, but it is not proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
“It would be wrong of me to speculate from the Dispatch Box about the outcome of the Government’s current consideration of this issue, which is active, and it would be wrong of me to pre-empt any formal announcement or judgment by the Government.
“However, I can say that the calls from right across the House and the unity with which those calls have been made will be noted by the Government. This is something that we regard as extremely serious, and the Government will make the judgment as they see fit.”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said:“The UK is committed to holding Iran to account, including with more than 300 sanctions — including the sanctioning of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in its entirety.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
