August 11, 2006 (9:10 a.m. EDT)
No. 92

STATEMENT BY MINISTER MACKAY ON THE BANNING OF THE CENTER FOR DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY IRAN

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:

“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.

“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.

“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.”

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