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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">November 18, 2005 <i>(6:30 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 226</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">MINISTER PETTIGREW STATEMENT ABOUT UN RESOLUTION ON
IRAN HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement about the
successful adoption of Canada’s resolution on Iran’s human rights situation at the
United Nations:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“I am extremely pleased that the international community has once again expressed its
great concern for the human rights situation in Iran.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Iran is a signatory to multiple conventions outlining its responsibility to protect human
rights, and we urge the Iranian regime to abide by its obligations. As stated in the
resolution, Iran should take immediate action to improve its human rights record.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“The adoption of this resolution is only one step in a broader process, and in light of the
gravity of the situation, Canada will continue to work for the improvement of human
rights in Iran, as well as elsewhere in the world.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Today’s decision follows the tabling of a resolution by Canada on November 8, 2005,
that calls 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 under 18 years of age.</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">James Christoff<br>
Press Secretary<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012814/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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