2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:51 pm on 11 October 2022.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 2:51, 11 October 2022

I just wanted to pick up on the earlier remarks by Jane Dodds today, because, having listened to the Iranian people living in Wales, on the steps of the Senedd, I think it was really clear the level of anger about the lack of action by the UK Government. Particularly, they want to see the freezing of Iranian assets in the UK until they stop killing their own people, particularly women and girls, in industrial numbers. We really don't have enough information about what is going on, and we rely, therefore, on these one-to-one conversations until and unless the media is in a position to tell us more. They also wanted to see the recall of the UK ambassador from Tehran. We just have to reflect on how little people have normally benefited from the oil-rich wealth in their countries. Few countries have had the prescience of Norway, which set up the fund for future generations, and what is now the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world. So little discussion about the rights of individuals to benefit from their natural resources, and instead it's all about, 'How can we benefit?'. We have to put human rights much clearer, front and centre. So, I was very pleased to hear your words, leader of the house, but I really hope that we can write to the UK Government and ask them to make it much clearer where they stand with women and girls who are being killed in Iran.