UK Edges Closer To Labeling Iran’s Revolutionary Guards A Terrorist Group

The UK government appears to be moving closer to proscribing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, joining the likes of the U.S., France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Government minister Leo Docherty told the House of Commons on January 12 that the issue was being actively considered, but declined to say when a decision might be made.

His comments came as part of a parliamentary debate which saw cross-party calls for the policy to be adopted.

“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?” asked former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith.

Proscribing the organisation would mean it would become a criminal offence to belong to the IRGC, attend its meetings or do anything to encourage its activities.

MPs also called on the government to reverse plans to shut down the BBC Persian language radio service and to sanction guards working at Evin Prison, where many political prisoners are held.

“We have not sanctioned all the guards at Evin prison. We have sanctioned former guards—who are not there perpetrating crimes currently—but not those who are in the prison now. I ask the minister to look at that urgently, because it is something that we can change overnight,” said Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

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