NEWS RELEASES
June 15, 2005 (9:30 a.m.)
No. 108
KAZEMI CASE: MINISTER PETTIGREW MAKES CHRONOLOGY OF
EVENTS PUBLIC
The Government of Canada tabled the chronology of events relating to the
Zahra Kazemi case in the House of Commons. The tabling was in response to Q135
posed by the Member from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Alexa McDonough.
“Zahra Kazemi’s death is far more than a consular case,” said Minister Pettigrew. “It
represents a clear violation, by a state, of international human rights norms and laws.
The grave circumstances of her arrest and killing have attracted sustained international
attention, as well as expressions of support and solidarity in the search for justice.”
“As we approach the second anniversary of her arrest in front of the Evin prison in
Tehran, I believe it’s in the public interest to know more about the government’s
extensive efforts to pursue justice following this brutal murder,” added the Minister.
The attached backgrounder provides a chronology of some of the key events
surrounding the death of Ms. Kazemi, as well as the Canadian government’s efforts and
interventions to urge Iran to resolve the case, and to improve its broader human rights
performance.
The chronology outlines, wherever possible, or legal, the actions of the Government of
Canada to date. In certain instances, due to privacy legislation and international
relations considerations, the Government of Canada is unable to disclose details of
meetings and conversations that Canadian officials had with officials from other
countries and organizations.
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A backgrounder is attached.
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
Backgrounder
EVENTS IN THE ZAHRA KAZEMI CASE
June 23, 2003, 5:40 p.m.
• Ms. Kazemi is arrested for taking photos of the Evin Detention Centre in Tehran.
Between June 23 and June 27
• According to the later Iranian government report, Ms. Kazemi was interrogated
by a variety of security officials for approximately 77 hours following her arrest.
June 27, 2003, 12:20 a.m.
• Ms. Kazemi is admitted to the Baghiatollah hospital in Tehran.
July 3 or 4, 2003
• Family members in Iran are notified of Ms. Kazemi’s hospitalization by Iranian
authorities.
July 7, 2003
• Family members in Iran contact the Canadian Embassy seeking help.
• Foreign Affairs consular officials visit Ms. Kazemi in the Intensive Care
Unit.
July 8, 2003
• Consular officials visit Ms. Kazemi at the hospital a second time and speak
to the Director of the Hospital about Ms. Kazemi’s condition.
• Canada seeks information surrounding the circumstances that led to Ms.
Kazemi’s injuries and hospitalization.
July 9, 2003
• A consular official from the Canadian Embassy meets with Ms. Kazemi’s
family in Iran.
July 10, 2003
• Iran’s Ambassador to Canada is summoned to a meeting with the Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Deputy stresses Canada’s deep concern
with Ms. Kazemi’s condition, requests Iranian cooperation in securing
independent medical treatment, and reiterates Canada’s request for an
investigation.
• Foreign Affairs consular officials visit Ms. Kazemi in the Baghiatollah
Hospital a third time.
July 12, 2003
• The Iranian government announces Ms. Kazemi’s death on the Islamic Republic
News Agency (IRNA).
• Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham issues a news release expressing
sorrow and regret on Ms. Kazemi’s death.
July 13, 2003
• The President of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, announces a ministerial inquiry into
the circumstances surrounding Ms. Kazemi’s death, which is to be carried out by
the ministers of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Justice, Information and Security.
• Canada seeks a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister.
• Canada’s Ambassador to Iran, Philip MacKinnon meets with the Director
General for Consular Affairs and requests a transparent investigation into
the circumstances that led to Ms. Kazemi’s death.
July 14, 2003
• Canada’s Ambassador to Iran, Philip MacKinnon, raises the death of
Ms. Kazemi with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament.
• Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, John Manley, states that Canadian-Iranian
relations would be affected if her death was not satisfactorily explained.
July 15, 2003
• Ambassador MacKinnon meets with Deputy Minister who is responsible for
Europe and America at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He reiterates
Canada’s request for a transparent investigation into the circumstances
that led to Ms. Kazemi’s death.
July 16, 2003
• The Vice-President of Iran, Mohammad Ali Abtahi announces that Ms. Kazemi
died as a result of a skull fracture after sustaining a “blow” while in custody.
• Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham calls Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal
Kharrazi to express Canada’s deep concern over the death of Ms. Kazemi
and the lack of cooperation by Iranian authorities.
• Prime Minister Jean Chrétien calls for a transparent investigation into
Ms. Kazemi’s death. He also states that those responsible should be
brought to justice.
July 20, 2003
• Ambassador MacKinnon meets with the Director General of Consular
Affairs at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
July 21, 2003
• The Iranian Presidential Inquiry Committee releases its report into Ms. Kazemi’s
death.
• Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham issues a news release calling for swift
justice for those responsible for the death of Ms. Kazemi. The release also
expresses Canada’s frustration and dismay at continuing delays over the
repatriation of Ms. Kazemi’s remains.
July 22, 2003
• The IRNA publishes a letter from Mrs. Ezzat Kazemi dated July 22, 2003 which
states that she wishes to have her daughter buried in Shiraz, Iran.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs summons the Iranian Chargé d’affaires
to seek confirmation of the rumours regarding the possible burial of Ms.
Kazemi on July 23, 2003 in her home town, Shiraz.
• Ambassador MacKinnon speaks to the Director General of the Americas
Department in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest the
interment of Ms. Kazemi in Iran, citing the consensus reached among the
family to bury Ms. Kazemi in Montreal, Canada.
July 23, 2003
• Ambassador MacKinnon meets with the Director General responsible for
America in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Reports indicate that Ms. Kazemi was buried several hours earlier the same
day in her home town of Shiraz, as per a decision by an unidentified court.
• Foreign Affairs Minister Graham announces the recall of the Canadian
Ambassador to Iran for consultations in Canada.
• Prime Minister Jean Chrétien publicly condemns the Iranian authorities for
burying Ms. Kazemi in Iran against the wishes of her son, Stephan
Hachemi.
July 24, 2003
• Canada explains to the Iranian Foreign Ministry the recall of Head of
Mission.
July 25, 2003
• Iranian officials say that Judge Javad Esmaili has already begun his
investigations into the death of Zahra Kazemi.
July 26, 2003
• Iranian government announces that five individuals have been arrested in
connection with the death of Zahra Kazemi.
July 28, 2003
• Canada demands information on the identity of the five detainees and the
charges laid against them.
July 29, 2003
• Minister Graham speaks to Iran’s Foreign Minister. As reported, the Iranian
government has assigned a special prosecutor to the case and five
intelligence and prison officials have been arrested.
July 30, 2003
• Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi tells reporters after a cabinet
meeting that Kazemi’s death was likely a murder caused by a blow to the head.
• In an exclusive interview by Yas e no, Mrs. Ezzat Kazemi states that she was
pressured by Iranian authorities to provide her consent to have her daughter
buried in Shiraz, Iran.
• The Iranian Majlis Article 90 Commission pursues its own line of investigation
into the death of Ms. Kazemi, parallel to current judicial inquiry under Judge
Esmaili.
August 5, 2003
• Two female Iranian prison guards detained in connection with Ms. Kazemi’s
death are released on bail while three others are held and questioned.
• Minister Graham speaks with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
August 17, 2003
• Minister Graham speaks with the Iranian Foreign Minister.
August 25, 2003
• The Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), citing the Inspector of the Criminal
Court, reports that two Iranian interrogators have been detained in Ms. Kazemi’s
death and are expected to face legal charges. The inspector is reported as
describing Ms. Kazemi’s death as “quasi-intentional murder.”
August 26, 2003
• The Iranian Intelligence Ministry rejects all accusations.
August 27, 2003
• Canadian Embassy Chargé d’affaires meets with Iranian Chief
Revolutionary Prosecutor.
August 28, 2003
• Minister Graham told journalists he finds it difficult to believe that two
lower-level people would be responsible for the death of Ms. Kazemi
without the orders of people higher up, and stresses the importance of a
full and transparent investigation.
August 31, 2003
• Canada seeks a meeting with Judiciary Tehran Prosecutor.
• Canada seeks a meeting with members of the Majlis Article 90
Commission.
September 1, 2003
• Tehran Deputy Prosecutor General rejects charges issued against the two
Intelligence Ministry agents, returning the indictments issued August 25 and
calling for further investigations into the charges.
• Committee 90 received a letter from Chief Prosecutor, indicating that it will study
its contents before releasing a report.
• Chargé d’affaires meets with Iranian MFA.
September 7, 2003
• Chargé d’affaires meets with Iranian MFA.
September 8, 2003
• Chargé d’affaires meets with Deputy Head of International Relations of the
Iranian Judiciary.
September 16, 2003
• Chargé d’affaires meets with Head of the International branch of the Iranian
Judiciary.
September 22, 2003
• One Intelligence Ministry Agent is charged for the “semi-intentional murder” of
Zahra Kazemi. He is one of the two agents previously arrested and subsequently
released.
September 23, 2003
• Chargé d’affaires meets with head of the international branch of the Iranian
Judiciary.
September 29, 2003
• Ambassador MacKinnon is sent back to Tehran carrying a letter from Prime
Minister Chrétien to President Khatami.
October 1, 2003
• Canadian Permanent Mission in Geneva meets with the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights to discuss, inter alia, Iran’s human rights
performance and the Kazemi case.
• Chargé d’affaires meets with MFA Director First Department America.
• Canada seeks a meeting with Majlis Article 90 Commission members.
October 4, 2003
• Iranian Judiciary officials announce that the trial of the accused in Ms. Kazemi’s
murder is set to begin Tuesday, October 7.
October 7, 2003
• Trial opens. Accused categorically rejects accusation. His lawyer asks for
suspension of proceedings for one month in order for him to study the facts of
the accusation.
• Ambassador MacKinnon is present, as are many international media
representatives.
October 15, 2003
• Canada seeks a meeting with Deputy Head of International Relations of the
Judiciary.
October 27, 2003
• Canada outlines its intention to have a third seat in courtroom reserved for
NGO representatives.
• Canada seeks a meeting with Majlis Article 90 Commission members.
Late October/Early November 2003
• Canada begins working with international partners to put forth a Human
Rights resolution on Iran at the UN General Assembly, and to lobby for its
adoption.
November 2003
• Ambassador MacKinnon meets with UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of
Opinion and Expression during the Special Rapporteur’s visit to Iran.
November 6, 2003
• Letter from Minister Graham to Bertrand Ramcharan, Acting High
Commissioner for Human Rights.
November 17, 2003
• Canada officially tables a resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in
Iran at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.
November 21, 2003
• Resolution is adopted by large majority by the Third Committee of the UN
General Assembly (vote of 73 Yes, 49 No, 50 Abstentions).
December 15, 2003
• Canada asks for copies of all photographic material and reports associated
with the autopsy performed on Zahra Kazemi.
December 22, 2003
• Canadian sponsored resolution on Iran’s Human Rights is adopted by the
UN General Assembly (vote of 68 Yes, 54 No, 51 Abstentions).
January 7, 2004
• Canada seeks a meeting with Iranian Deputy Head of International
Relations of the Judiciary.
February 5, 2004
• Round table on Iran in Ottawa during Annual FAC-NGO human rights
consultations.
February 20, 2004
• Philip MacKinnon, Canadian ambassador to Iran, on an outreach mission
to Montreal holds a meeting with concerned individuals on the Kazemi
case developments.
March 24, 2004
• Canada delivers annual “country statement” at the UN Commission on
Human Rights in Geneva, which specifically raises the issue of human
rights in Iran.
March 31, and April 1, 2004
• Canadian representatives raise the issue of Iran’s human rights
performance, including the Kazemi case, with UN Special Mechanisms in
Geneva at the Commission on Human Rights, including the Special
Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression and the Working Group
on Arbitrary Detention.
May 4, 2004
• Canada seeks a meeting with Deputy Head of International Relations of the
Judiciary.
June 24, 2004
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham telephones Iranian Foreign Minister
Kharrazi.
June 25, 2004
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham sends a letter to FM Kharrazi asking
him to reconsider decision to refuse access to Canadians at the Kazemi
trial.
July 6, 2004
• Assistant Deputy Minister calls in Iranian Ambassador and asks for a reply
to Minister Graham’s letter as to whether or not Iran has reconsidered
Canada’s request to allow observers at the trial.
July 14, 2004
• President Khatami makes the following statement to reporters on the Kazemi
trial: “According to the information that I received, I still believe that the accused
is not guilty. I hope that the tribunal, with determination and courage, will name
the real guilty person.”
• Minister Graham holds a joint press conference with Stéphan Hachemi and
announces that Ambassador Philip MacKinnon will be recalled to protest
Iran’s decision to bar Canadians from observing the Kazemi trial due to
open July 17.
July 16, 2004
• Iranian press reports that the trial of the person charged in the death of Zahra
Kazemi will be open. There are no specific indications as to whether or not
foreign observers will be allowed in the courtroom.
July 17, 2004
• Trial of accused of Zahra Kazemi’s murder begins at 9:00 a.m.
• Kazemi family lawyer, Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi, argues that a first-degree
murder has taken place, and the case must therefore be attended by the
provincial criminal court, which has five judges. The judge points out that the
accused was charged with second-degree murder. Ebadi asserts “we reserve the
right to raise this objection in the Appeals court.”
• Canadian ambassador Philip MacKinnon (not yet departed from Tehran),
the Dutch Ambassador (for the EU) and a British diplomat enter the court
room and hear the proceedings.
July 18, 2004
• Foreign diplomats including Ambassador MacKinnon are refused access to
the trial. They wait outside the courtroom for 90 minutes.
• The trial is abruptly terminated and Judge Farahani announced he would make
his decision known within the week as to his verdict. Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi
and her team of lawyers defending the Kazemi family was outraged by this
denial of justice and said they would look to take the case to international courts.
• Minister Graham reiterates the recall of Ambassador MacKinnon.
July 24, 2004
• Announcement appears on IRNA stating that the accused, Reza Ahmadi has
been cleared of charges.
• Other media report that since no guilty party has been identified, the “blood
money” will be paid out by government funds.
July 25-26, 2004
• EU and UN statements issued on the acquittal.
• Canadian Foreign Minister Pettigrew issues statement: “This trial has done
nothing to answer the real questions about how Ms. Kazemi died or to
bring the perpetrators of her murder to justice.”
July 26, 2004
• Minister Pettigrew speaks to Iranian Ambassador to convey indignation
and urge Iran to respect its obligations nationally and internationally.
July 27, 2004
• Minister Pettigrew and Foreign Affairs officials meet with Stephan Hachemi
and his lawyers.
July 28, 2004
• Iran’s judiciary says the head injuries that killed Ms. Kazemi were the result of an
accident. “With the acquittal of the sole defendant, only one option is left: the
death of the late Kazemi was an accident due to a fall in blood pressure resulting
from a hunger strike and her fall on the ground while standing,” says a judiciary
statement.
• Foreign Affairs rejects this explanation as lacking all credibility.
August 8, 2004
• Canada demands a copy of the press release issued by the Judiciary
alleging that Zahra Kazemi’s death could be connected to a hunger strike
she was on.
Early September 2004
• Canada begins consultations with like-minded partners and lobbying on a
second General Assembly resolution on Iran’s human rights performance.
November 10, 2004
• Canada officially tables a resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in
Iran at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly for the second
year in a row.
Nov. 17, 2004
• Canada-sponsored resolution on Iran’s human rights performance adopted
by Third Committee of UN General Assembly (vote of 69 Yes, 55 No, 51
Abstentions).
No. 22, 2004
• Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of Canada to the Office of the
United Nations in Geneva meets with Louise Arbour, UN Human Rights
High Commissioner.
Nov. 23, 2004
• Foreign Affairs Minister Pettigrew issues press release to announce return
of a Canadian Ambassador to Iran, reflecting the need to have the highest
possible level of representation in Iran in order to ensure that Canadian
views are heard and appropriate liaison with the family’s legal team occurs.
Dec. 17, 2004
• Canadian sponsored resolution on Iran’s Human Rights is adopted by the
UN General Assembly (vote of 71 Yes, 54 No, 51 Abstentions).
January 12, 2005
• A brief article by ILNA announces that the Kazemi appeal will be heard by the
Court of Appeal #34 from the Province of Tehran.
January 31 to February 6, 2005
• Canadian Embassy officials meet with UN Special Rapporteur on Violence
Against Women during the Special Rapporteur’s visit to Iran.
February 3, 2005
• Round table on Iran in Ottawa during Annual FAC-NGO human rights
consultations.
February 8, 2005
• Iran’s ambassador to Britain states during a conference that Canadian
photojournalist Zahra Kazemi was murdered by Iranian security officials and it
was a mistake. He retracts his words shortly thereafter.
• Canadian Embassy in Iran is instructed to raise the matter with Iranian
Government and demand an explanation.
February 21, 2005
• The Kazemi appeal is examined by a judge and his assistants behind
closed doors in order to decide whether or not the hearing will be public.
No date is set for the hearing.
March 7, 2005
• In a meeting with Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Canada reiterates
Iran’s human rights obligations in the Kazemi case.
March 14, 2005
• In his address to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Minister
Pettigrew points specifically to Iran, saying that: “Iran continues to fail to
implement many of its international obligations with respect to human
rights; the time has come for Iran to show its willingness to address its
human rights record. The human rights violations in Iran are serious and
they must stop.”
March 15, 2005
• Canadian Ambassador at Permanent Mission in Geneva meets with Nobel
Laureate Shirin Ebadi.
March 24, 2005
• Canada delivers annual “country statement” at the UN Commission on
Human Rights in Geneva, which specifically raises human rights in Iran.
• Canada strongly criticizes violations of human rights in Iran during its
country speech at Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. “The two
resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on Iran over the last two years
reflect the serious concerns expressed by the international community on the
human rights situation in this country. Regrettably, the situation in Iran with
respect to human rights, democratic development and good governance did not
improve in 2004. The status of freedom of expression remains dire. Arbitrary
detentions continue, as well as the sentencing to death of juveniles, the practice
of solitary confinement, and the jailing of political prisoners alongside violent
criminals. Persecution and discrimination directed at persons belonging to
religious minorities continues to be a serious concern. The Government of Iran
has obligations to its citizens—through its commitments under international
human rights instruments, and through the Iranian constitution. These
obligations must be respected, and human rights violations must stop.”
March 26, 2005
• Canadian Ambassador Gordon Venner presents credentials to President
Khatami.
March 31, 2005
• Canadian Ambassador Venner in Geneva meets with a visiting Iranian
delegation from the Iranian Judiciary.
• In a press conference organized by Stephan Hachemi and his lawyers,
Dr. Shahram Aazam, the emergency room doctor who allegedly examined Ms.
Kazemi when she first arrived in hospital after her interrogation, describes in
detail his observations on her condition. His account of her condition speaks
clearly of torture and extreme mistreatment in custody.
• Minister Pettigrew and Prime Minister Paul Martin speak publicly about
Dr. Aazam’s account and the unacceptable standing of the Kazemi case.
April 5, 2005
• Minister Pettigrew speaks to Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi.
April 5/April 13, 2005
• Canadian representatives raise Iranian human rights shortcomings in
dialogue with Special Mechanisms of United Nations Commission on
Human Rights, including the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against
Women and the Special Rapporteur of the Secretary-General on Human
Rights Defenders.
April 6, 2005
• Canadian Ambassador in Tehran meets with Iranian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to follow up on telephone conversation between ministers.
• All Canadian government officials withdrawn from trade event with Iranian
businessmen to express indignation over latest developments in Kazemi
case.
• Government lawyers meet in Ottawa with lawyers representing Stephan
Hachemi.
April 11, 2005
• The Iranian Judiciary rejects the Canadian demands to return Ms. Kazemi’s
body and to hold an independent autopsy arguing that Ms. Kazemi was
Iranian and that only the Iranian judiciary had jurisdiction in this case.
April 13, 2005
• Canadian Ambassador in Tehran meets with Iranian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
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