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<title>AXWORTHY CONDEMNS EXECUTION OF IRANIAN BAHA'I</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">July 22, 1998 No. 178</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY CONDEMNS EXECUTION OF IRANIAN BAHA'I </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today condemned the execution by
authorities in Iran of Ruhu'llah Rawhani, a member of the Baha'i faith. Mr.
Rawhani had been detained for one year before his execution for practising his
Baha'i faith, and his family was denied permission to visit him in prison.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"This brutal action is a grave disappointment," said </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy. "We have seen the beginnings of positive cultural and social change
in Iran and we hold hopes for continuing progress. I call upon Iran's Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Khatemi to state clearly that this action
was carried out without their knowledge or consent."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Axworthy has instructed the Canadian Ambassador in Iran to convey the
condolences of the Government of Canada to </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Rawhani's family and to ask the Government of Iran to take immediate steps to
guarantee the safety of other members of the Baha'i faith who are similarly
detained.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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