CAT/C/35/D/258/2004 Page 11 the Forouhars or the Iran Nation Party as “hard core monarchists”. Rather, they are described as “prominent political activists” or “prominent critics of the Go vernment”. Moreover, according to Human Rights Watch, Mr. Forouhar was also a former political prisoner under Shah Pahlavi, the founder of the monarchist movement. This casts doubt on the complainant’s assertion that the Forouhars were part of a “hard core monarchist political organization”. The State party concludes that the link between the Forouhars and the monarchists has not been made out. 6.3 The State party offers information about other alleged monarchists aiming to demonstrate that there have not been any politically motivated arrests or prosecutions of monarchists in Iran over the past several years. Furthermore, the complainant, by his own account, has not been involved with monarchists since he left Pakistan in 1988. As a result, his involvement cannot be said to rise to a level of prominence that would attract the attention of Iranian authorities. Additional submission of the complainant 7.1 By letter of 27 September 2005, the complainant refers to one of the Danger Opinions, which used sources according to which, in February 2001, the Iranian police used tear gas to disperse a demonstration by monarchists and that dozens of demonstrators were arrested and a number of others were injured. He also submits that the Forouhars, although political prisoners under the Shah Pahlavi, are now pro-monarchist. He names other alleged monarchists or pro- monarchists who were arrested after July 1999, accused of organizing a protest against the Iranian regime and executed on 15 March 2003. 7.2 There are two major groups in Iran which oppose the present regime, namely the MEK and the monarchists. The MEK has been involved in terrorist activities and is therefore a less legitimate replacement for the current regime. Monarchists operate several television stations in different countries and are actively involved in disseminating information criticizing the current Iranian regime. 7.3 The complainant reiterates his involvement with monarchists since 1988. He refers to the letters of 24 January 1989 and 4 April 2005 (see para. 2.7) and states that he is an officer on-call for the monarchists. He reiterates that on 20 June 2003 he was interviewed by the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, who offered to engage his services. 7.4 Regarding the sources referred to by the State party, the complainant submits that the majority of international human rights organizations have not had direct contact with prisoners of the Iranian regime that would allow them to accurately gauge the extent of the regime’s brutality against its detractors, including monarchists. 7.5 The complainant refers to the poor human rights record of Iran and cites the 2002 Amnesty International Report, according to which torture and ill- treatment, including of prisoners of conscience, continued to be used. Issues and proceedings before the Committee: 8.1 Before considering any claims contained in a complaint, the Committee against Torture decides whether or not it is admissible under article 22 of the Convention. The Committee has ascertained, as it is required to do under article 22, paragraph 5 (a), of the