Iran Expats Constitute Valuable Human Resources:Official

Tehran, May 14, IRNA - The potentials of 5m Iranians living abroad should be used in the best possible manner, said the head of the High Council of Iranian Expatriate. Javad Qavam Shahidi added that Iranian expats, most of whom are highly educated, are considered valuable human resources of the country. The official stressed that ground should be paved for Iranian expats to participate in various activities and serve their country. He noted that 3,500 Iranians are imprisoned aboard, most of whom have been arrested for crimes related to drug possession or sale. Shahidi stressed that the council takes measures to defend the rights of Iranian prisoners in foreign countries. “Various organizations, especially those involved in diplomatic affairs, have made extensive efforts to transfer them to Iran,” he said. Earlier, Vice-President for Executive Affairs Mohammad Shariatmadari said President Hassan Rouhani’s administration plans to ease the trips of Iranian expatriates to and from Iran. The High Council of Iranian Expatriates held a meeting recently, which was attended by lawmakers, to discuss the problems of expatriates. The council was established ten years ago to promote interactions with Iranian expatriates.