TNAG-1530-FCO40-2094-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 17

ד -

Mrs Rogerson, UND

Reference...

Л

C%

REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS. IRAN.

1.

The annual rate for applications for asylum from Iranians is 1,000-1,500, the peak year being in 1982 when there were 2,280.

2. Approximately half the applications are made from third countries, mainly Pakistan but some from Turkey, Iraq and Syria.

3. The usual reasons given are to avoid the war (not stated quite so frankly), to avoid arrest for political activity counter to the present regime, or for belonging to persecuted religious minorities.

5 November 1986

CC:

C Bird

Middle East Department W96

233 5685

Assistant in APD

Mr Machin, ODA

Mr Fifoot, Legal Advisers

MVD, SAD, SED, WED,

HKD, SEAD, EAD, SAFD,

CAFD, International and Europe Unit,

ECD (P)

ECD (I)