UN experts demand release of British couple held in Iran
Two U.N. special rapporteurs have issued a public statement demanding that Persian authorities release Lindsay and Craig Foreman, a British couple sentenced to ten years in Tehran on alleged espionage charges. The experts say the couple were detained in January 2025 while travelling on a round‑the‑world motorcycle trip and are now refusing food in Evin prison after communications with their families were cut off a month ago.
The U.N. statement, signed by Dr Alice Edwards, special rapporteur on torture, and Mai Sato, special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, notes “grave irregularities” in the proceedings and condemns the 10‑year sentence after a flawed trial that failed basic fair‑trial guarantees. They warn that after 30 days without food this situation has become a medical emergency.
The Foremans have denied any wrongdoing, and their appeal against the sentence was recently lost. Their last consular visit took place in December, and they have been denied attendance at their own appeal hearing.
British officials, including the Foreign Office, have pledged to continue diplomatic efforts. Lawyers and family members, such as Joyce Bennett, a son‑in‑law, are actively campaigning for a prisoner exchange and hoping to see the brothers returned to the United Kingdom safely.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has urged Iranian authorities to “quash” the convictions and called for all diplomatic means to be used to secure the foremen’s safe return. The U.N. experts have warned that the couple may be being used for political leverage.
With 30‑day hunger strike escalating to a medical crisis, the situation has drawn international attention. The U.N. call for release underlines the urgency of the case, calling for the couple’s immediate treatment and their release from Evin prison.
For more details on the U.N. statement and the current situation, see the BBC article.
