Iran - British Woman Held....

[agchristie]

for watching a men's volleyball match.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29189038

[naomi24]

Your readers are clearly speechless, ag.

[wolf63]

Although it is appalling that watching the match was illegal she should have known that before she went to it. Iran is not exactly girl-friendly territory and it would be logical to expect someone visiting to check the rules first.

Are there any countries where there are such rules against men?

[Baldric]

What part did she not understand?

///A ban on women attending football matches has been in place since 1979 and in 2012 was extended to volleyball, according to Amnesty International.///

I do not agree with it, (the Ban) but there is a lot to be said for,
"When in Rome do ....etc"

[aelmpvw]

''A ban on women attending football matches has been in place since 1979 and in 2012 was extended to volleyball, according to Amnesty International.''

it takes a lot to make my jaw drop but that worked

[naomi24]

.... but....

//The organisation says the ban became a matter of renewed controversy on 13 June, when at a match between Iran and Brazil, Brazilian women were permitted to watch the match and cheer on their team but Iranian women were prevented from doing the same.//

Does that set a precedent in favour of foreign women? She's British.

[Baldric]

//The family of a British-Iranian woman being held in Iran//

[naomi24]

So what are you saying, Baldric? That the Iranians consider her to be Iranian even though she has British nationality?

[Baldric]

I'm saying that as a British/Iranian she should have some understanding of the way Iran works, moreso than if she were British as stated by AG in the OP and yourself.

[naomi24]

The BBC report states that she’s British/Iranian – therefore she is British - and I'm sure she does have an understanding of the way Iran works. Bearing in mind what’s gone before, do you think this was a protest on behalf of all women subjected to such antiquated rules?

[Baldric]

I've already stated at 1755 that I do not agree with the ban, and yes I do think this was a protest on behalf of all women subjected to such antiquated rules, but she made that choice!

[Baldric]

///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.///

From,
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iran

[naomi24]

Ah, there we are. Thank you, baldric.

[agchristie]

Ed - bit of a mystery, second time today a best answer awarded without me consciously selecting it!

[agchristie]

She perhaps should have known better and known the risks but placed in solitary confinement and denied access to a lawyer?

There's punishment and there's punishment....

Baldric - thanks for the link.

[DTCwordfan]

Watching men's volley-ball, she should be put away and if it had been netball, then condemn her to the local nut-house as that so-called sport is so boring to watch, even if my niece and step-niece happen to be rather good at it.

[boxtops]

Don't let jj hear you say that, DTC.

[DTCwordfan]

I know, boxie - seriously, the gal being half Iranian probably knew of the ban and the likely penalty. Flashing your joint Brit passport won't work. Gone are the days of 'His/Her Brittanic Majesty's Foreign Secretary requires.....'

[naomi24]

How easy for us from the comfort of the free west to say, in effect, “She knew the rules”, and then go on to joke about it. The whole world should be condemning regimes that promote and abide by these misogynistic laws. So much for principle.

[DTCwordfan]

so naomi, what are you planning in terms of positive action?

[Zacs-Master]

We can condemn regimes as much as we like but whilst they are in power it would be sensible to abide by the 'laws' they impose. She only has herself to blame IMO.