The following information was provided in a 12 January 1996 telephone interview with a specialist of Iran society and politics in England.

According to the source, demonstrations were held in 1992 in Shameranat Square, a prosperous and westernized neighbourhood located in the north of Tehran.

To the best of the source's recollection, some of the demonstrations occured during floods in Tehran; many people suffered material loses mainly because of government mismanagement of the emergency situation. At the time, people attempting to protest the government's mismanagement were muffled.

The source added that although some people chanted anti-regime slogan, the April 1992 demonstration was conducted to protest government economic policies. The demonstration was spontaneous. Approximately 2 dozen people were arrested; their names were put on file before being severely admonished and released. There was no report of executions.

The following information was provided during a 8 January 1996 telephone interview with a professor of political science specialist of Iran at the Kingston Royal Military College of Canada and at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).

The source did not have any information on a demonstration held in Shameranat Square in April 1992. The source added that under the Shah, Shameranat Square was a prosperous and Westernized neighbourhood located in the northern part of Tehran.

For general information on demonstrations held in Iran in April 1992, please consult the attached documents.

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

England. 12 January 1996. Telephone interview with a specialist of Iran.

Professor of political science at the Kingston Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, and at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). 8 January 1996. Telephone interview.

Attachments

INA [Baghdad, in English]. 29 April 1992. "MKO Statement Alleges Demonstrations in Iran. (FBIS-NES-92-084 30 April 1992, p. 30).

IRNA. [Tehran, in English]. 13 April 1992. "Demonstration Against Magazine Continue." (FBIS-NES-92-072 14 April 1992, p. 39).

_____. [Tehran, in English]. 11 April 1992. "Magazine Office Attacked for Outrageous Cartoon." (FBIS-NES-92-071 13 April 1992, p. 48).

INA [Baghdad, in English]. 4 April 1992. "Clashes, Demonstrations Reported." (FBIS-NES-92-069 April 1992, p. 47).

Keyhan. [London, in Persian]. 12 March 1992. "University Students Demonstrate Against Regime." (FBIS-NES-92-065 3 April 1992, p. 42).