Iran: Information on the verification and investigative process employed by The Organization for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms for Iran in Paris, and the Secretariat of His Majesty Reza II, Shah of Iran, in Virginia, prior to issuing letters of attestation, what criteria are used, and who may receive such a letter
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRN17096.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iran: Information on the verification and investigative process employed by The Organization for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms for Iran in Paris, and the Secretariat of His Majesty Reza II, Shah of Iran, in Virginia, prior to issuing letters of attestation, what criteria are used, and who may receive such a letter, 1 April 1994, IRN17096.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aacb88.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information on the nature of and thoroughness of the investigative procedures conducted by the Secretariat of His Majesty Reza II prior to the issuance of letters of attestation is currently unavailable to the DIRB.
However, according to a letter sent to the DIRB in Ottawa, the Organization for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms for Iran in Paris, the organization issues letters of attestation to its members outside of Iran who have requested political asylum or refugee status (22 Apr. 1994). The document sent to the DIRB states that "thorough" investigations are conducted both inside and outside Iran, and letters are issued if it is determined that an individual's life would be in danger if he or she returned to Iran (ibid).
According to a representative of Iranpaad in London, an affiliate of the two above-mentioned groups, investigations carried out prior to the issuance of letters of attestation are based on records and oral sources inside and outside Iran (13 Apr. 1994). The representative stated that the organization must conduct extremely thorough investigations in order to ensure that the group is not infiltrated by agents of the Iranian government (ibid). He stated that investigative procedures take approximately six months, and stressed the fact that letters are only issued to members who are regular and active participants in the group's activities (ibid).
A representative of Human Rights Watch in New York could not comment on the nature or extent of investigations conducted by the groups prior to the issuance of letters, but stated that the threat to anti-government activists is currently a very real one both inside and outside Iran (28 Apr. 1994).
Additional or corroborative information concerning this subject could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Human Rights Watch, Middle East Division, New York. 28 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Iranpaad, London. 13 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
The Organization for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms for Iran, Paris. 22 April 1994. Letter sent to the DIRB.
Attachment
The Organization for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms for Iran, Paris. 22 April 1994. Letter sent to the DIRB.
