Dutch Iranians take action on nuclear ban

Friday 11 December 2009

A group of Iranian students and academics have taken the Dutch state to court for banning Iranian nationals from studying nuclear physics, the Volkskrant reports on Friday.

The ban was imposed last summer following a UN resolution calling on countries to ensure Iranian nationals are not given specialist education in nuclear technology.

For example, last year, Twente University of Technology said it was banning all Iranian students because it could not ensure they would not attend lectures about nuclear technology.

The paper says the Dutch Iranian community, which is about 30,000 strong, bears the brunt of the ban because many of those affected hold Dutch nationality. They also feel stigmatised. 'This is exclusion on the grounds of your country of origin.

As a Dutch woman, I am extra alert to this,' the paper quoted Sahar Yadegari as saying. Yadegari, who has lived in the Netherlands for over 20 years, was one of over 100 observers who attended yesterday's court hearing, the paper said.

The court will announce its ruling in February next year.

© DutchNews.nl

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