Minister Cannon Condemns Use of Violence Against Protestors in Iran
June 21, 2009 (12:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 168
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today made
the following statement condemning the use of violence against protestors
in Iran:
“Canada condemns the decision of the Iranian authorities to use violence
and force against their own people. Although the scale of the casualties is
unclear, it is evident that Iranian security forces are using deadly force on
citizens and deaths have occurred. Millions of Iranian civilians have taken
to the streets in the past week in Tehran and throughout the country
protesting what they consider a fraudulent election. The government’s
reaction has been to silence the voices of its own people through brutality.
“The Iranian people deserve to have their voices heard, without fear of
intimidation or violence. Canada condemns the use of force to stifle
dissent, and we continue to call on Iran to fully respect all of its human
rights obligations, both in law and in practice, and to conduct a thorough
and transparent investigation into the fraud allegations. The Government
of Canada continues to support freedom, democracy, human rights and the
rule of law in Iran.”
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
