Iran debates amnesty for exiles

The move is backed by the pro-reform movement

By Jim Muir in Tehran

The Iranian parliament is discussing a bill that would allow hundreds of thousands of Iranians who fled the country after the Islamic revolution in 1979 to return without fear of prosecution.

Sponsored by 40 pro-reform members of the parliament, the bill could be put into effect before early in 2001.

The only exceptions to the amnesty would be people suspected of involvement in acts of terrorism.

The move is being seen not only as part of a general trend towards social liberalisation, but also of measures to stimulate economic activity and investment.

Amnesty

The bill would grant a blanket general amnesty to all the Iranians who left the country since the Revolution in 1979.

President Khatami advocates a more liberal society

Even if they emigrated illegally or fled from court cases against them, exiles will be free to return without being questioned or bothered by the authorities.

People known to have been active in political, social and cultural fields would also be allowed back.

Only members of the violent opposition group, the People's Mujahideen - which has carried out many armed attacks inside the country - would be excluded from the measures.

The bill appears so far to have been generally welcomed, both among Iranian expatriates, of whom there are several million, and in most political circles in Tehran.

Exiles wary

Many Iranian expatriates are rich and might be tempted to invest if they were convinced that the climate was right.

But even if the bill does reach the statute books, it is unlikely that it would trigger a stampede of returnees.

The many who believe they might have something to fear would want to see the new measures solidly tested in practice before venturing back.

Exiles who have already returned in recent years have faced enormous legal problems and delays in retrieving even part of their properties confiscated after the revolution.