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UK advises against all but essential travel to Iran

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NCRI – The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Friday issued an advisory against all travel all but essential travel to Iran following the recent wave of acid attacks on women and girls in cities with tourist attraction.

The statement said: “British travellers to Iran face greater risks than nationals of many other countries due to high levels of suspicion about the UK and the UK government’s limited ability to assist in any difficulty.”

 

The British Foreign Office travel advisory did not comes as many young women and girls have been target of acid attacks by gangs affiliated with the regime.

In recent weeks, over two dozen women have been badly injured in major tourist attraction cities including Isfahan and Kermanshah, after having acid thrown in their faces by the gangs riding motorcycles.

The women have suffered third-degree burns on their faces, necks, chests and hands, and will require cosmetic surgery.

The British Foreign office said: “There’s a risk that British nationals could be arbitrarily detained in Iran despite their complete innocence, as happened most recently in 2011. In such cases the FCO has serious concerns that the subsequent judicial process falls below international standards.”

It urged British citizens to not to travel particularly within 100km of the entire Iran/Afghanistan border; within 10km of the entire Iran/Iraq border; the province of Sistan-Baluchistan; and the area east of the line running from Bam to Jask, including Bam.

“In recent months there has been an increase in the detention of dual nationals on allegations of involvement in political and human rights activities. Dual nationality is not recognised in Iran. “

“The Iranian authorities will deny that the British government has any legitimate responsibility for British Iranians and are unlikely to grant any consular access.”

Following the acid attacks thousands of residents of Isfahan and Tehran took to the streets protesting the attacks.

They chanted “Security and freedom are rights of Iranian women”, “Death to the Iranian ISIS [ISIL]”, “Worse than ISIS, are you splashing acid on us?”, “Death to acid attackers”, “Veiling cannot be forced”, “With hijab, without hijab, we don’t want acid attacks”, “Woman’s right to security? Acid attack; cruelty”, “Misogynic laws should be abolished.”

The security forces attacked the protesters arresting at least 50 youths.

More protests are planned for coming days in a number of cities.