Iran: Information on whether the group Derafsh-e Kaviani is active in Iran
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRN26946.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iran: Information on whether the group Derafsh-e Kaviani is active in Iran, 1 July 1997, IRN26946.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acf868.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. |
Five specialists on Iran, contacted by telephone in May and June 1997, stated that they have never come across any information regarding Derafsh-e Kaviani activities or presence in Iran. The sources indicated that the group is active in Europe and North America. The five specialists were as follows:
1) A specialist on Iran based in England who contributes to Jane's Intelligence Review and who has published extensively on Iran (8 June 1997).
2) The Head of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Persian-Pashtoun Service in London, England. The source has recently completed a biography of Ahyatollah Khomeiny and has contributed a chapter to a book entitled The Vanguard of Islamic Revival published by Zed Publishing in London. The source has also appeared on British and American television programmes about Iran (8 June 1997).
3) A journalist covering Iran for the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) in London, England who travels to Iran regularly for his work (15 May 1997).
4) A French journalist who was posted in Iran between 1992 and 1996 (16 May 1997).
5) A former professor at Behesti University in Tehran who left Iran in the fall of 1996. The source has also been a research consultant with the Zentrum Moderner Orient in Berlin and a fellow researcher at St. Anthony's College at Oxford University in England (20 June 1997).
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
Former professor of international affairs, Behesti University in Tehran, Ottawa. 20 June 1997. Telephone interview.
French journalist who was posted in Iran between 1992 and 1996, Paris, France. 16 May 1997. Telephone interview.
Head of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Persian-Pashtoun Service, London, England. 8 June 1997. Telephone interview.
Journalist covering Iran for the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), London, England. 15 May 1997. Telephone interview.
Specialist on Iran, England. 8 June 1997. Telephone interview.
Additional Sources Consulted
Al-Raida [Beirut]. Summer 1993 - 1996. Quarterly.
Arabia Monitor [Washington]. November 1992 - August 1993. Monthly.
Arabies [Paris]. January 1989 - 1997. Monthly.
Arab Law Quarterly [London]. 1993 - 1997. Quarterly.
Arab Studies Quarterly [Lake Forest, Ill.]. 1995 - 1997. Quarterly.
Dialogue [London]. October 1993 - 1997. Monthly.
Gulf Newsletter [London]. February 1992 - December 1994. Three per year.
The Middle East [London]. November 1988 - 1997. Monthly.
Middle East International [London]. January 1991 - 1997. Bi-weekly.
Mideast Mirror [London]. April 1995 - 1996. Daily.
Middle East Report [Washington]. September 1990 - 1997. Bi-monthly.
Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek [Paris]. January 1989 - 1997. Quarterly.
News From Middle East Watch [New York].
On-line search of the LEXIS-NEXIS database.