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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">August 11, 2006 <i>(9:10 a.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 92</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">STATEMENT BY MINISTER MACKAY ON THE BANNING OF THE
CENTER FOR DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY IRAN</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today made the following statement concerning the
Center for Defense of Human Rights in Iran:</p>
<br>
<p>“I was deeply troubled to learn that Iran’s Interior Ministry has declared the activities of
the Center for Defense of Human Rights illegal. Not only does Canada believe that the
Center plays a vital role in protecting human rights in Iran, but its founder, Shirin Ebadi,
2003 Nobel Peace laureate, is also leading a legal team seeking justice in the case of
the death of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi. Any limitation that
prevents them from defending the case of Ms. Kazemi would have consequences for
Canada.</p>
<br>
<p>“Any action on the part of the Iranian government to put a stop to the activities of the
Center for Defense of Human Rights or Ms. Ebadi and her colleagues is completely
unacceptable under the definitions of the right to organize and the right to freedom of
expression.</p>
<br>
<p>“I hope that the Iranian authorities will recognize the good work of the Center, Ms. Ebadi
and her team and will confirm the legitimacy of their activities.”</p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221142306/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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