NEWS RELEASES
April 5, 2005 (6:10 p.m. EDT)
No. 60
STATEMENT BY MINISTER PETTIGREW CALLING FOR
INTERNATIONAL FORENSIC INVESTIGATION INTO KAZEMI DEATH
In a telephone conversation today with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi,
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew called for the creation of an
independent three-party group of forensic experts to conduct an autopsy on the body of
Zahra Kazemi:
"Iran must agree to an independent international forensic investigation into the death of
Zahra Kazemi in light of the recent allegations made by Dr. Shahram Aazam. I have
proposed a three-member, independent group of forensic experts to conduct an
autopsy that would help to determine precisely what happened during her custody.
"To ensure complete impartiality, I have suggested that the team be made up of a
Canadian, an Iranian, and one neutral and independent expert from a mutually agreed
upon country.
"The ball is now in Iran's court. Only a transparent and credible process can answer the
disturbing questions that remain about Zahra Kazemi's death and the subsequent
investigation."
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
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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