July 22, 1998 No. 178

AXWORTHY CONDEMNS EXECUTION OF IRANIAN BAHA'I

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.

"This brutal action is a grave disappointment," said

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."

Minister Axworthy has instructed the Canadian Ambassador in Iran to convey the condolences of the Government of Canada to

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.

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