An August 1993 DIRB Question and Answer Series paper entitled Iran: Political Opposition, which is available in Regional Documentation Centres, provides information on the history and objectives of Nehzat Azadi. The attached pages of Iran: A Country Study and World Encyclopedia of Political Systems & Parties provide additional information on these subjects. The attached five articles covering the period April to August 1995 refer to a variety of recent issues pertaining to Nehzat Azadi. They include the death of its leader, Mehdi Bazargan, and his replacement with Ibrahim Yazdi, the group's complaint about poor police treatment of its members, its attempts to receive legal status, its opposition to a proposed new press law, and its complaint about restrictions in running for parliament.

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). 2 August 1995. "Opposition Slams Election Restrictions in Iran." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 July 1995. "Iranian Opposition Group Warns Against Press Law Reform." (NEXIS)

_____. 24 April 1995. "Opposition Warns of Further Riots in Iran." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 April 1995. "Iranian Opposition Party Complains of Police Harassment." (NEXIS)

Iran: A Country Study. 1989. Edited by Helen Chapin Metz. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, pp. 210-14.

World Encyclopedia of Political Systems & Parties. 1987. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Edited by George E. Delury. New York: Facts on File Publications, p. 528.

Xinhua News Agency. 27 April 1995. "Freedom Movement of Iran Protests Ban." (NEXIS)