Deutsche Presse-Agentur states that riots began on 3 August 1994 in Qazvin after the Iranian parliament rejected the city's demand to be made a province separate from Zanjan Province (9 Aug. 1994). A BBC report confirms this information and adds that police "rounded up hundreds of demonstrators ... to end rioting which left four dead, dozens injured and caused widespread damage" (6 Aug. 1994.). However, quoting the Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance (NCR), Deutsche Presse-Agentur states that the Iranian government forces killed 50 and arrested 3,000 who took part in the riot (9 Aug. 1994). According to this source, the NCR maintained that "a significant number" of the arrestees were "members of the security forces who hesitated to put down the protests" (ibid.). AFP reports the Iranian official news agency (IRNA) as stating that "[t]housands of Islamic volunteer militia members (Basiji) marched through [Qazvin to] 'support the regime' after two days of riots there" (7 Aug. 1994).

In the aftermath of the riots, Iranian interior minister Ali Mohammad Besharati announced that Qazvin "would in future be administered under Tehran [P]rovince" (ibid.). According to an attached BBC report, a radio broadcast of the Iranian opposition group Mojahedin-e Khalq reported the removal of the governor of Qazvin "following the heroic uprising by the people of Qazvin against the clerical regime" (17 Aug. 1994).

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.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 7 August 1994. "Islamic Militia March Through Riot City." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 17 August 1994. "Opposition Radio Comments on Qazvin Unrest, Says Governor Has Been Removed." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 August 1994. "'Hundreds' Rounded up in Qazvin; City 'Relatively Calm': AFP Report." (NEXIS)

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 9 August 1994. BC Cycle. "Mujahedin Group Claims 50 Died in Rioting in Qazvin, Iran." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 7 August 1994. "Islamic Militia March Through Riot City." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 17 August 1994. "Opposition Radio Comments on Qazvin Unrest, Says Governor Has Been Removed." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 August 1994. "'Hundreds' Rounded up in Qazvin; City 'Relatively Calm': AFP Report." (NEXIS)

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 9 August 1994. BC Cycle. "Mujahedin Group Claims 50 Died in Rioting in Qazvin, Iran." (NEXIS)