Arrest of Iranian teachers tests Iran-UAE relations

The envoy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Iran has been summoned by Iran’s Foreign Ministry over the Oct. 7 arrest of nine Iranian teachers, reportedly due to visa issues.

Khalilollah Babalou, head of international affairs and schools abroad for the Education Ministry, told Tasnim News Agency that the UAE arrested the teachers because they only had visas to work in Dubai. At the time of their arrest they were working in Al Ain, a city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. According to Babalou, teachers working at Iranian schools outside of their visa stipulations has not resulted in arrests before. Babalou added that Iranian officials are tyring to secure their freedom and consultations in Iran are taking place.

With nearly half a million Iranians living in the UAE, the arrests mark a troubling sign as they could spell increased tensions between the two countries. While Iran has had a good relationship with the Emirate of Dubai, particularly in trade, tensions with Abu Dhabi have been high in recent years, especially as Abu Dhabi sees itself more aligned with the regional policies of Iran’s rival, Saudi Arabia.

Rasoul Papaei, deputy for public relations at the Education Ministry, called the arrest of the teachers an “excuse.” He said that the UAE had issued an official license for Iran to direct Iranian schools that would operate under the Iranian Embassy in the country. Under this license, effective until 2016, Iran controls the affairs of the schools, according to Papaei.

Papaei added that there was no reason for the Al Ain department of labor to get involved and file the complaint against the Iranian teachers. “It’s been years that Iranian teachers have been working with Dubai visas in Al Ain and in previous years there never has been an issue for them,” Papaei said. He also said that officials from Iran’s Education Ministry had met with UAE officials over the matter.

Ismail Kowsari, an Iranian member of parliament and member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said, “The Foreign Ministry officials have to come out of their passive state, and instead of presenting themselves to European and American officials, confront countries like the UAE in such a manner that they should know the Iranian people will continue their path with dignity and pride.”

He added, “As we are neighbors and brothers, they should observe ethics with Iranians residing in the country. And if it is other than this, we will behave differently with them, which will be to their detriment.”

Hojat al-Islam Alireza Salimi, a member of parliament's Education Committee, said the arrest of teachers who entered the country legally is not compatible with international laws. He asked Foreign Ministry officials to address the issue, adding, “Our expectation is that Iranian citizens in other countries be treated with respect and in the absence of these standards, for there to be a heavy price for the government of the UAE.”

An Education Ministry official said that the Iranian teachers will appear in court Oct. 12. Iranian officials also denied that 13 Iranian female teachers are currently being detained as well.

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/10/iran-teachers-arrested-uae.html#ixzz3oOQ4qzMd