Iran: Amnesties

In January 1989, it was announced that an amnesty was granted to "all those prisoners who have been sentenced to a period of less than four years by military and special courts". [ "Iran: Armed Forces Official Announces Amnesty", Summary of World Broadcasts, BBC Monitoring Service, 24 January 1989.]

Many of the amnesties in Iran have been provided to members of groups perceived by the government to be anti-revolutionary who are held in prisons throughout the country. For example, on 11 February 1989, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, 230 prisoners were released from Evin prison in Tehran and 100 more whom the government called "repentant members of terrorist groups" were released from prisons in Tabriz. [ "Iranian Amnesty: Mojahedin Reaction", Summary of World Broadcasts, BBC Monitoring Service, 13 February 1989.] Prison amnesties generally occur on 11 February - the anniversary of the revolution (22 Bahman by the Iranian calendar) - and are only for repentant or "Islamically-eligible" prisoners. For example, in February 1983, 850 prisoners were released from Bakhtaran's prison [ "Prison Releases in Iran", Summary of World Broadcasts, BBC Monitoring Service, 22 February 1983.] and in February 1982, 1,714 prisoners - including 334 prisoners convicted by the Islamic revolutionary tribunal of the army - were granted an "Islamic Amnesty". [ "Amnesty in Iran", Summary of World Broadcasts, BBC Monitoring Service, 12 February 1982.] It is not mentioned in the news report what the prisoners convicted by the army tribunals were found guilty of - desertion, draft evasion, or another military crime.

In January 1989, it was announced that a campaign to find draft dodgers was to begin on 8 January 1989. [ "Iran: Campaign Against Draft Dodgers to Begin", Summary of World Broadcasts, BBC Monitoring Service, 4 January 1989.] The official in charge stated that "as far as possible, severe punishments are envisaged to deal seriously and legally with those individuals who have evaded the sacred duty of being conscripts under various excuses during the eight year holy defence. The draft dodgers, who are found and arrested ... will not find leniency and they will not qualify for the four-month amnesty law." [ "Iran: Campaign Against Draft Dodgers to Begin", Summary of World Broadcasts, BBC Monitoring Service, 4 January 1989.]

In February 1989, a government plan to announce a general amnesty for Iranians abroad was discussed in the press. [ "Iran: Iranian prime minister comments on `The Satanic Verses' Affair, Foreign Loans, Amnesty for Iranians Abroad", Summary of World Broadcasts, BBC Monitoring Service, 20 February 1989.] The proposed plan apparently did not materialize, however, as evidenced by statements made by Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani in a news conference he conducted with the international press on 8 June 1989. During this conference, he discussed the high number of Iranian exiles who had left because they could not face the war, and stated that "we [the Iranian government] have not yet proclaimed a general amnesty. Those who have committed a major crime are at present being investigated. But the majority of the rest can return." [ "Iran: Rafsanjani's News Conference; Announces Candidacy for Presidency, Comments on Future Policy, Foreign Relations", Summary of World Broadcasts, BBC Monitoring Service, 10 June 1989.]

A scheme for encouraging the return of Iranians living abroad was announced by the Iranian government during 1989. Essentially, males of draft age can return to Iran for a visit and upon the payment of ten thousand dollars they will receive a new Iranian passport and exemption from military service. [ External Affairs Canada, communiqué of 20 June 1989.] Please see the attached FAX from External Affairs Canada, which discusses this new programme.