New US visa restrictions have been placed on Iranian officials.
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12 July 2011
New US visa restrictions placed on Iran
New US visa restrictions have been placed on Iranian government officials, military leaders and law enforcement officers for alleged human rights violations in their country.
The United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said the action that restricts certain Iranian officials from being granted a US Visa for travel to America is "an important reminder to Iran that the international community will continue to hold accountable those officials who commit human rights abuses and suppress the democratic aspirations of fellow citizens."
Clinton continued: "Until the Iranian government brings human rights abusers to justice and protects its citizens, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other partners will stand up on behalf of the Iranian people."
The move to restrict the visa rights of a nation's official is not withou precedent, as the United States has taken similar measures in the past against officials from Libya, Belarus and Cote d'Ivoire for alleged human rights-related abuses.
Under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the State Department has already been denying and revoking visas of individuals involved in proliferation and terrorism.
"Today's joint action serves as a reminder to the Iranian government that we will continue to hold its officials accountable for human rights abuses against the Iranian people," the State Department said.
The American Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their ESTA application to the US Embassy.
