Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: UK urged exercise diplomatic protection in case of dual British-Iranian citizen arbitrarily detained in Iran.

On 9 November 2017 Redress urged the UK to exercise diplomatic protection in the case of Nazanin-Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual British-Iranian citizen arbitrarily detained in Iran. Alongside its statement, Redress released a legal opinion authored by Professor John Dugard SC, Tatyana Eatwell and Alison MacDonald QC (Matrix) concerning the availability of diplomatic protection to the UK in this case. This legal opinion follows on from a first previously released on 23 October 2017 in which counsel advised that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is arbitrarily detained in Iran. The UK government has received both opinions.

In the opinion counsel conclude that "the only effective means under international law by which the grave harm suffered by Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be repaired lies in the UK's right to exercise diplomatic protection".  All the requirements of diplomatic protection have been met in this case: at the time of her arrest Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was predominantly British, and continues to be and she has been subjected to a series of grave violations of human rights, including the right to fair trial and freedom from arbitrary detention. Moreover, the question whether Iran recognises Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is irrelevant for the purpose of diplomatic protection. 

Professor Dugard and Tatyana Eatwell are instructed by Redress on behalf of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband, Richard Ratcliffe.

For further information on the case please go to: http://www.redress.org/international-jurisdictions/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe and www.freenazanin.com 

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