Recently, some Iranian government officials have stated that dual citizens as well as western citizens may travel to Iran without any worries. Even though dual citizens and Western citizens have experienced widespread detention in Iran, these statements indicate that intelligence and security institutions are engaged in a pattern of unlawful behavior, contrary to basic human rights. Therefore, Western and people with dual citizenship are insecure when traveling to Iran.
Several individuals with dual or non-Iranian citizenship have been detained in Iran in recent years, including Jason Rezaian, Roland Gabriel Marshall, Kylie Moore-Gilbert, Jolie King, Mark Firkin, Michael White, Afarin Niasari, Zhao Wang, Nizar Zakka, Ahmadreza Jalali, Nahid Taghavi, Anoosheh Ashoori, Mehran Raodi and Jolie King. Several of these detainees have been released by the Islamic Republic’s prison authorities in Western countries, either for money or in exchange for the freedom of their agents.
Insecurity in Iran is primarily caused by the absence of the rule of law, especially in the judiciary and law enforcement apparatus, which includes intelligence, information, and security agencies. It is commonly observed that the judiciary and its officials in Iran do not adhere to citizenship rights and criminal laws in a systematic manner. As a result, they are easily able to violate these laws when necessary.
In the Islamic republic, the judiciary lacks independence from the regime’s political leadership and its powerful military and security institutions. Thus, Iranian courts rarely have the authority or power to protect human fundamental rights, notably those of tourists. In practice, courts have become instruments for violating the fundamental rights of individuals, posing a threat to their freedom and security.
Vague criminal charges such as “collaboration with hostile countries against the Islamic Republic” under Article 508 of Volume Five of the Islamic Penal Code (Deterrents and Penalties) have also made it easy and convenient to detain tourists and Western citizens in Iran, as well as its non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning criminal procedure in the courts.
Dadban advises Western citizens as well as travel agencies not to be deceived by promises made by the judicial and governmental authorities. It is recommended that you refrain from traveling to Iran at this time, except in urgent circumstances.