Iran: Information on whether airport security procedures have been changed or simplified during the last two years, whether, as a result, there are now fewer checks of documentation by airport authorities (one source indicates that at one time documents were checked some 13 times), whether bribery is used to facilitate departures of persons wanted by Iranian authorities, and whether Iranian authorities have implemented procedures to deal with this type of bribery
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRN17391.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iran: Information on whether airport security procedures have been changed or simplified during the last two years, whether, as a result, there are now fewer checks of documentation by airport authorities (one source indicates that at one time documents were checked some 13 times), whether bribery is used to facilitate departures of persons wanted by Iranian authorities, and whether Iranian authorities have implemented procedures to deal with this type of bribery, 1 May 1994, IRN17391.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abfa50.html [accessed 17 September 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. |
A representative of Middle East Watch in New York provided the following information on the above subjects during a telephone interview on 16 May 1994. While having no specific information on recent changes in airport security procedures, the representative states that in 1991 there were only two passport checks for security purposes at Iranian airports. Passports were checked a few more times for other purposes such as visa control and luggage checks (ibid.). The representative has not received any information that the number of passport checks has increased since 1991.
The representative maintains that the high inflation rate has created a situation in which taking bribes has become a "financial necessity" for some civil servants. As a result, now "everything" can be done in Iran by paying a bribe. It is therefore possible for individuals who are wanted by the Iranian authorities to obtain passports and leave the country legally by paying a bribe. The representative knows of a few Iranians who left Iran by paying large bribes. The source adds that the specifics of each case, including how important a wanted person is to the Iranian government, determines whether such a person can leave the country by paying a bribe.
The representative, who is unaware of any official initiative to stop the above-mentioned practice, states that, despite its rhetoric, the Iranian government has not implemented a policy to stop bribery in government organizations.
A representative of the Foundation for Iranian Studies in Bethesda, Maryland is unaware of any recent changes in security procedures at Iranian airports. The source has been told by Iranians travelling to Iran that, in comparison to previous years, it has become much easier and faster to enter or leave the country over the last few years (16 May 1994). The representative does not know the exact number of times that a passport is now checked at Iranian airports. However, the source does not think that passports of Iranians leaving Iran were checked 13 times even prior to the recent changes.
The representative does not have specific information on whether persons who are wanted in Iran can legally leave the country by paying a bribe. However, since nowadays "there is no problem in Iran that cannot be solved by paying a bribe," it is probably possible to leave the country this way (ibid.). The representative adds that in practice the Iranian government has not sought to stop bribery in government organizations.
Although they do not provide detailed information on recent changes in security procedures at Iranian airports, the attached three articles, which refer to security procedures at Iranian airports in the period 1992 to 1993, might be useful.
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
Foundation for Iranian Studies, Bethesda, Md. 16 May 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Middle East Watch, New York. 16 May 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Attachments
The Financial Times [London]. 8 February 1993. Roger Matthews. "Survey of Iran."
The New York Times. 7 November 1992. Final Edition. Youssef M. Ibrahim. "Pumping Oil: Iran's New Muscle; Rebounding Iranians Are Striving for Regional Leadership in Gulf." (NEXIS)
The Straits Times [Singapore]. 18 May 1993. "Iran Loosening Up." (NEXIS)