The Netherlands is continuing to discriminate against Iranian students by requiring a special permit for some studies, despite a high court ruling last year which says this is illegal.

Trouw reports on Monday that three Dutch Iranian nationals are demanding the government apologise for the damage to their careers and that a new policy is implemented immediately.

Iranian students face extra paperwork in order to take part in nine different Master degrees. The policy stems from UN sanctions against Iran, aimed at preventing access to nuclear technology.

Human rights

But in December, the Dutch high court said the practice was discriminatory and conflicted with the European treaty on human rights.

Three dual-national Dutch-Iranians – an undergraduate, a graduate student and a professor – went to court to have the ban ruled illegal. Lower courts also found in their favour.

Although they are now free to pursue their careers, a number of other academics are still being affected by the measure, Trouw said.

‘We are not talking about a lot of students, but about a principle, and this is very serious,’ said one MP for the D66 liberal party. Both D66 and the Socialist party want ministers to explain the current situation.

Earlier stories
Ban on Iranian students is discriminatory, says supreme court
Immigration service softens stance on Iranian nationals