The following information was provided during a 28 January 1997 telephone interview with a specialist on Iran in England.

The source stated that conversion from Islam to any other religion is not encouraged source added that conversion to Zoroastrianism from Islam is currently in vogue within the Iranian communities of Europe and North America.

In the 15 February 1997 issue of The Dallas Morning News, Kevin Rafraf reports that

Iran officially recognizes Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism as religions whose members are afforded legal protection. This verdict, however, means that an adherent of one of these religions who had converted from Islam could also be prosecuted and face the death penalty for apostasy.

An APS Diplomat Recorder report of 23 June 1996 states that Iran was the location of the 6th World Zoroastrian Congress in mid-1996.

For additional information on this subject, 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

APS Diplomat Recorder. 23 June 1996. "Zoroastrian Conference." (NEXIS)

The Dallas Morning News. 15 February 1997. Kevin Rafraf. "Persecution of Bahai's is Nothing New in Iran." (NEXIS)

Specialist on Iran, England. 28 January 1997. Telephone interview.

Attachments

Agence France Presse (AFP). 25 March 1996. "Iranian Zoroastrian Celebrate Anniversary of Their Prophet." (NEXIS)

APS Diplomat Recorder. 23 June 1996. "Zoroastrian Conference." (NEXIS)

The Dallas Morning News. 15 February 1997. Kevin Rafraf. "Persecution of Bahai's is Nothing New in Iran." (NEXIS)

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 20 June 1996. BC Cycle. "Zoroastrian Integrated Into Iranian Society, Says Official." (NEXIS)

The Economist [New York]. 18 January 1997. "Bully-Boys at Work." (NEXIS)

_____. 23 July 1994. "Iran: Walk in Fear." (NEXIS)

The Toronto Star. 21 September 1996. Final Edition. Raheel Raza. "Followers of Ancient Faith Adapt to Adopted Cultures." (NEXIS)