As a mother, I am extremely concerned about the wellbeing of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other individuals arbitrarily detained in Iran. I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends who have fought for so long to bring about their safe return.
I want to first reassure you the Foreign Office continues to assist British nationals detained abroad like Nazanin and is doing everything it can to cooperate with Iranian authorities to ensure her release. I also wanted to let you know I have raised your concerns with my colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on your behalf.
I know the UK, along with its E3 partners (France and Germany), has been offering Iran a comprehensive package of support to stem the rapid spread of coronavirus, including equipment for laboratory tests and protective body suits and gloves as well as financial support. The UK, France and Germany also committed to provide a further €5 million to tackle the covid-19 epidemic in Iran, through the World Health Organisation or other UN agencies.
I welcomed the news that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was temporarily released into the care of her family in Iran and this release has been extended. Of course, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe should not have been detained by Iran in the first place and the UK continues to call on Iran to live up to its responsibilities under international human rights law and the Vienna convention and release Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and all other dual nationals who are detained in Iran.
