Canada Presents Resolution at Un on Iran's Deteriorating Human Rights Situation

News Release

November 8, 2005
No. 211

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced that Canada has introduced
a resolution at the 60th session of the UN General Assembly on the deteriorating
human rights situation in Iran.
“We have carefully followed the situation in Iran during the past year and we believe
there has been a marked deterioration in the government’s performance in protecting
the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its people,” said Minister Pettigrew.
“Positive developments in 2005 have been sparse and the lack of progress and action
by the Government of Iran is cause for serious concern. This assessment is shared by
many members of the international community.”
The resolution, which has been co-sponsored by 38 other countries, expresses
concerns about violations of human rights in the country and calls upon the
Government of Iran to abide by its international obligations. The resolution provides a
strong international call for Iran to make improvements in many areas, including
independence of the judiciary, intimidation and persecution of defence lawyers and
legal defenders, arbitrary detentions, freedom of expression, freedom of the media, the
treatment of women, the treatment of persons belonging to religious and ethnic
minorities and the execution of persons below 18 years of age.
In December 2004, at the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly, Canada was the
main sponsor of a successful resolution on the Iranian human rights situation. The
resolution called for the human rights situation in Iran to be re-examined this fall at the
60th session of the General Assembly.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
James Christoff
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

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Canada Presents Resolution at Un on Iran's Deteriorating Human Rights Situation

News Release

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